Where Was Vacation Friends 2 Filmed?
Although the movie is set in the Caribbean, the Hulu original comedy Vacation Friends 2 was actually filmed in a different part of the world.
Although the movie is set in the Caribbean, Vacation Friends 2 was filmed in another location. The Hulu original comedy picks up only months after the events of Vacation Friends. In the sequel, Marcus and Emily invite their best friends Ron, Kyla, and their newborn to join them on a free vacation to a Caribbean resort. Marcus is attempting to woo the resort owners into giving his company the construction contract for their upcoming Chicago hotel. After Kyla’s overwhelmed father unexpectedly shows up, the trip quickly goes awry. Vacation Friends 2 brings back the main Vacation Friends cast, including John Cena, while adding hilarious actors Steve Buscemi and Ronnie Cheng.
Vacation Friends 2 is John Cena’s worst-reviewed movie in years, but it still provides comedy and action sequences that keep viewers entertained. The platonic chemistry between John Cena’s Ron and Lil Rel Howery’s Marcus feels real to life with them bouncing off of one another. The story is exponentially strengthened by the new setting. The group is no longer in Mexico, taking on the Caribbean instead. Between flying a plane down the beaches and racing on a tropical road, the setting provides effective escapism for audiences. Despite the Caribbean setting, most of Vacation Friend 2 was actually filmed in Hawaiʻi.
Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
The primary filming location for Vacation Friends 2 was the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi. According to the Hawaiʻi Visitor and Convention Bureau, this is the most populated island, and its notable cities include Waikīkī and the state capital, Honolulu. Both of these cities can be seen in the movie at various points in time. Because Vacation Friends 2 mostly occurred within the confines of a resort, Oʻahu could effectively pass for the Caribbean. The most notable visual difference between the two locations is the architectural style, but this is irrelevant since the resorts look different from local buildings. Additionally, the vegetation and landscapes are similar.
Turtle Bay Resort
In order to create the resort scenes, the makers of Vacation Friends 2 appeared filmed inside multiple Oʻahu resorts throughout Waikīkī and Honolulu. However, the Caribbean resort in the movie uses the exterior of the Turtle Bay Resort. The resort’s main building is exactly what most people would expect from a tropical getaway. It is big, high-end, and filled with palm trees. While it’s recognizable for people who know Hawaiʻi resorts, Turtle Bay Resort doesn’t look distinct enough that a layperson would immediately know the building. This allows the filmmakers to effectively disguise it in Vacation Friends 2 as a different place.
Kapaa Quarry Road, Kailua, Oʻahu
Vacation Friends 2 filmed the car chase scene on Kapaa Quarry Road according to news reports on Spectrum News and Star Advertiser. Part of the road was shut down on October 27, 2022, due to stunts that could potentially harm other drivers. It was shut down again on November 13, 2022, for a reshoot caused by mechanical difficulties. The two-lane stretch of Kapaa Quarry Road has heavy vegetation. The trees along the sides of the road frame the shots, making the road seem narrower. This use of space increases the pacing and suspense in the Vacation Friends 2 action sequence.
Dragonara Palace, St. Julian’s, Malta
When the group goes to the casino to meet up with business people, Vacation Friends 2 shows a wide shot of the building. The casino possesses a distinct silhouette, especially with the night lighting. A reverse Google search reveals that the location used for this is the Dragonara Palace in St. Julian’s, Malta. This is seems the only filming location outside Hawaii. Despite being in an entirely different part of the world, the two-second-long clip fits right in with the rest of the movie due to the shoreline of the location. Additionally, the pillared architecture fits in with the luxurious, resort feel throughout Vacation Friends 2.
Kalaeokaunaʻoa, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
The beach scenes with the plane approximately two-thirds of the way through Vacation Friends 2 were seemingly filmed at Kalaeokaunaʻoa, also called Kahuku Point, on the island of Oʻahu. This area isn’t far from Turtle Bay Resort, also used for filming. According to North Shore Community Land Trust, Kahuku Point is an undeveloped area on Oʻahu’s North Short. The location is unique on Oʻahu because of its intact coastal strand environment, visible in the background of the scenes. Because the area is undeveloped, it served as a good setting in Vacation Friends 2. The landscape can double for almost any natural coastline with similar biodiversity.
Sources: Hawaiʻi Visitor and Convention Bureau, Spectrum News, Star Advertiser, North Shore Community Land Trust
