Naman Shrestha
Created by Charlie Parsons, CBS’ ‘Survivor’ is a survival reality series adapted from the Swedish show titled ‘Expedition Robinson. It places a group of people from different walks of life on a secluded island, away from the modern outside world. As part of the competition, they must survive not only the games that test their physical abilities and mental endurance, but also the ruthless wilderness where they must provide food and shelter for themselves.
In ‘Survivor 50,’ which is also titled ‘Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans,’ the competition follows a similar pattern but with a few changes. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the show, the 50th season brings together 24 players from previous seasons, ranging from legends to fan favorites, who re-enter the battle for survival. Hosted by Jeff Probst, it also involves yet another twist — many production decisions were taken through a public vote. Although the remote island where the competition took place appears familiar, the contestants must expect lots of twists and turns in the challenges.
Survivor 50 Filming Locations
Following the pattern of previous seasons, the shooting for ‘Survivor 50’ was also conducted entirely on the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. According to reports, principal photography for the 50th season of the reality series got underway in the first week of June 2025 and continued for more than three weeks before wrapping up by the end of the same month. On the occasion of the show’s 25th anniversary, several of the game mechanics and production designs were interestingly chosen by an online public vote.
Mamanuca Islands, Fiji
As in many past seasons of the show, the Mamanuca Islands served as the primary production location for ‘Survivor 50.’ Known for its pristine waters, live coral reefs, and sandy beaches, the islands comprise about 20 islands, some of which were turned into film sets for the reality series. The hot temperatures across the islands made the challenges all the more difficult for the participants. The Mamanuca Islands also consist of numerous villages and resorts, some of which seemingly feature in the backdrop of a few outdoor scenes.
The production team built various sets of multiple challenges in the middle of the wilderness. Visitors have the option to go to the nearby Denarau Island, a private resort development. As for the activities, you can go snorkelling, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, semi-submersible coral viewing, hiking, and swimming with reef sharks on the Mamanuca Islands. Apart from ‘Survivor 50,’ the islands also make an appearance in the Robert Zemeckis directorial, ‘Cast Away.’
Read More: Where Was Survivor Season 49 Filmed?
