Where Each Season Of Ex On The Beach Was Filmed

In addition to watching a contestant’s former lover squander their potential new romances, the appeal of MTV’s British reality series Ex on the Beach largely comes from the exotic beachfront locations the show takes place in. After 11 seasons spanning seven different countries (and a canceled 10th season), an American version of the show was produced in 2018 and wrapped its fourth season in 2020.

Much like its British counterpart, the American iteration of the series takes place in gorgeous sandy paradises located across multiple continents. What incredible locations have played host to the show in its history though?

10 Seasons 1, 2, 8 & 11 (2014-2015) – Marbella, Spain

The first two seasons of Ex on the Beach were filmed in the Costa del Sol region of Marbella, Spain. The sunny coastal locale is situated near the popular towns of Malaga, Fuengirola, and Benalmadena.

Following the first two seasons, the show was filmed in a handful of different countries over the next five seasons before returning to Marbella in Season 8 and once more in Season 11. Marbella is the closest thing to a home base on the series so far.

9 Season 3 (2015) – Cancun, Mexico

After two seasons spent in Spain, Ex on the Beach moved production to Cancun, Mexico for season 3. In addition to its gorgeous villas, the popular tourist site is known for its popping nightlife, elegant cocktail bars, exotic clubs, and romantic beach hideaways.

In addition to being the first season shot outside of Europe, season 3 also featured the first same-sex ex to be featured on the show when Laura Summers’ ex Jemma Lucy arrived on the first day.

8 Season 4 (2016) – Algarve, Portugal

Once the party in Cancun wrapped up, Ex on the Beach packed up and moved back to the sunny European shores. For season 4, the reality dating series was filmed in the arresting location of Algarve, Portugal.

As always, the series centers on four men and four women, all of whom are told their exes will arrive to meet them at their beachy location. As a region of the Faro District, Algarve is located at the southernmost tip of the country.

7 Season 5 (2016) – Koh Samui, Thailand

Perhaps the most exotic locale the series has filmed in thus far came in season 5 when production moved to the gorgeous shores of Koh Samui, Thailand. As part of the Surat Thani Province, Koh Samui is an island located on the east coast of the country in the Chumphon Archipelago.

The popular tourist attraction is the second-largest island in Thailand after Phuket. As for the show, it was the first in the series to bring back former contestants who still had unresolved issues.

6 Season 6 (2017) – Crete, Greece

For the sixth season of Ex on the Beach, filming took place on location on Crete, the largest island in Greece. Following Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica, Crete is the fifth biggest island in the Mediterranean.

Situated in the southern portion of the Aegean Sea, Crete is known for its beautiful beaches and mountainous topography. Excluding Marbella, Spain, this is the last time the show was filmed in Europe.

5 Season 7 (2017) – Bali, Indonesia

Rivaling Koh Samui, Thailand for the most beautiful beach on the show to date has to be Bali, Indonesia, where the seventh season of the series was filmed. Located between Java and Lombok, the island of Bali is the chief tourist destination in Indonesia.

With such honeymoon hotspots as Nusa Dua Beach, Jimbaran Beach, and Sanur Beach, Bali is a picturesque vacation destination full of white sands, crystal blue water, verdant foliage, and the like.

4 Season 9 (2018) – Tulum, Mexico

Six seasons after filming in Cancun, Mexico, Ex at the Beach returned to the country to film season 9 in the municipality of Tulum. The city is located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico on the coast facing the Caribbean.

Contestants stayed at the lavish Playaakun Villa, a luxurious beachfront establishment surrounded by hypnotic white sands and lush palm trees. In terms of the competition, the exes were given even more power during season 9 with the help of the upgraded Tablet of Terror.

3 American Season 1 – Hilo, Hawaii

In 2018, MTV announced plans to produce an American version of Ex on the Beach. For the inaugural season, filming took place in the city of Hilo, located near Kona on Hawaii’s biggest island.

In specific, the show was filmed at Waterfalling Estate addressed at 32-1056 Old Mamalahoa Highway in Ninol along the Hamakua Coast. Amenities include a 9-hole golf course, Olympic-size swimming pool (25 meters) with a slide, multiple jacuzzis, a helipad, tennis and basketball courts with stadium seating.

2 American Season 2 & 3 – Malibu, California

After being a bit too rowdy in Hawaii during season 1, the next two seasons of Ex on the Beach migrated production to the sunny shores of Malibu, California.

In a sprawling mansion resting on a cliffside off the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, the location calls to mind the popular MTV Beach House that hosted several TV show events in the 1990s. Both villas are situated a few miles from Zuma Beach, one of California’s most picturesque tourist attractions.

1 American Season 4 – Queensland, New Zealand

Following two seasons spent in Malibu, the fourth season of the American series traveled down under to beautiful Queensland, New Zealand. With a winter-themed wrinkle known as Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love, the American counterpart aimed to break new ground.

Rather than a sun-dappled beach location, Season 4 takes place in the mountains of Queensland. The upscale villa that was chosen to house the contestants is named Chalet New Zermatt, an enormous mansion that costs a gobsmacking $24,000 per night.