Death in Paradise Filming Locations: The Real Caribbean Island Behind BBC Show
The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. With perpetual sunshine, golden beaches, and free-flowing bottles of "Etensel" beer, Death in Paradise injects a virtual dose of vitamin D into gloomy UK winters, inspiring wanderlust for many viewers.
Where is Death in Paradise Filmed?
Since its debut in 2011, the BBC crime comedy has been filmed on the six islands of Guadeloupe, a French archipelago in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. This paradise destination serves as the fictional island of Saint Marie, offering dreamy scenery with terracotta roofs, traditional churches, and wafting palm trees.
Primary filming occurs on Basse-Terre island, specifically its northwest coast, which provides the lush, tropical backdrop seen in over 100 episodes. The show's balmy setting, though fictional in name, is a real-life slice of the Caribbean open to holidaymakers seeking winter sun getaways.
What Filming Locations Can You Visit?
Deshaies, a vibrant fishing village on Basse-Terre island, doubles as the fictional seaside setting of St Honoré. Location tours run during peak season for fans eager to explore beyond the sun. Key spots include:
- Catherine's Bar: Originally filmed at Le Kaz restaurant, scenes are now shot at Le Madras cajun and creole restaurant on Rue de La Vague Bleue promenade. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and frosty daiquiris here.
- Honoré Police Station: The Presbytery attached to the church of St Peter and St Paul in Deshaies sets the scene for this central location.
- DI Mervin Wilson's Shack: Constructed each season on Anse de la Perle Beach, this iconic spot is now home to the British detective.
- The Langley Fort Royal Hotel: Where the cast stays from December to May, this hotel has also featured in murder scenes over the years.
How to Get There
From the UK, travelers typically take two flights via Paris, France, to reach Pointe-à-Pitre Airport, Guadeloupe's main air hub. Return flights with Air France start from around £658. From the airport, it's a 50-minute drive to Deshaies, allowing fans to live out their Death in Paradise dreams—minus the murder and chaos.
Spin-Offs: Beyond Paradise and Return to Paradise
Beyond Paradise, the spin-off following Kris Marshall's DI Humphrey Goodman, is filmed in less exotic locations. Season three returned to the fictional Devonshire town of Shipton Abbott, with filming in the Cornish fishing port of Looe. On-screen destinations include the Port Eliot Estate, Werrington Park, and the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Return to Paradise stars Anna Samson as Detective Inspector Mackenzie Clarke, an Australian copper who migrates to London. Filmed in Australia, locations span Sydney and the Illawarra coastal region, dubbed 'Dolphin Cove' for the show.
Death in Paradise series 15 airs on BBC One at 9pm on Fridays, continuing the tradition of sun-soaked crime-solving. The show has been praised for its diverse casting, including having two Black lead stars, as highlighted by actor Don Warrington.
