Where Was Remarkably Bright Creatures Filmed? Your Guide to the Real Sowell Bay

The Fictional Sowell Bay Is Actually Deep Cove, North Vancouver

The heart of the film's small-town Pacific Northwest charm comes from Deep Cove, a picturesque community tucked into the easternmost part of the District of North Vancouver. Gallant Avenue, the village's main street, doubled as downtown Sowell Bay throughout the film, and several real local businesses appear as the town's storefronts.

The Deep Cove Government Dock, a public dock where boats can moor for free, serves as the emotionally loaded dock scene that anchors much of the story. Just note: if you visit hoping to recreate Tova's quiet bench moment, the bench itself was a film prop and won't be waiting for you.

Image Source: Courtesy of Netflix

The Aquarium Is a Mashup of Real and Imagined

The exterior shots of the Sowell Bay Aquarium are actually the Deep Cove Yacht Club, digitally enhanced with design elements borrowed from the Lookout Coffee Shop in Horseshoe Bay. Many interior aquarium scenes were filmed on purpose-built sets, but some of the tank shots were filmed at the real Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park.

Image Source: Courtesy of Netflix

That's also where the production team met Agnetha, a real giant Pacific octopus who lives in the Pacific Canada Pavilion. The filmmakers recorded hours of footage of Agnetha to study octopus behavior and model the film's CGI octopus, Marcellus, after her. She does appear in the movie. (And yes, she's doing fine. Three years old and thriving, according to a Vancouver Aquarium spokesperson.)

Image Source: Courtesy of Netflix

More Filming Locations Worth a Visit

The scenic beach scene where Tova and Cameron stop to breathe some fresh air was filmed at Whytecliff Beach, a stunning oceanfront park near Horseshoe Bay along Howe Sound. It's a beautiful spot for a wander even without the film's emotional context.

The restaurant scene with Tova's friends takes place at the Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant in Steveston Village, Richmond, just south of Vancouver. It's a well-regarded seafood spot on the waterfront with a very real menu you can actually order from.

The scene with Simon was filmed at Bufala River District, a modern Italian restaurant in southeast Vancouver along the Fraser River.

Image Source: Courtesy of Netflix

Tova's House Is Also Real (and Expensive)

If you fell in love with Tova's beautiful waterfront home, complete with a private dock and garden, it too is in Deep Cove. The property, built around an original 1920s log cabin, was recently listed for over five million Canadian dollars. So there's a very good chance you can admire it from the water but not from the living room.

Plan Your Trip to the Real Sowell Bay

Vancouver and its surrounding communities make for an incredibly scenic and walkable film location tour. Deep Cove is about 45 minutes northeast of downtown Vancouver and well worth a half-day trip on its own. From the government dock to Gallant Avenue's cafes and shops to the coastal trails leading out toward Indian Arm, it's the kind of place that feels cinematic even without the cameras.

If you want to round out the trip, Stanley Park and the Vancouver Aquarium are obvious additions. Say hi to Agnetha while you're there.

Image Source: Courtesy of Netflix

Frequently Asked Questions: Remarkably Bright Creatures Filming Locations

Where was Remarkably Bright Creatures filmed?

The film was shot entirely in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, despite being set in the fictional town of Sowell Bay, Washington.

Is Sowell Bay, Washington a real place?

No. Sowell Bay is fictional, invented by author Shelby Van Pelt, who is originally from Washington State. In the film, the town's streets and shops are actually located in Deep Cove, North Vancouver.

Where is the Sowell Bay Aquarium in real life?

The aquarium exterior was digitally enhanced footage of the Deep Cove Yacht Club. Many interior scenes were filmed on sets, while some tank scenes were shot at the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park.

Is Marcellus the octopus real?

Marcellus is mostly CGI, but he was modeled after Agnetha, a real giant Pacific octopus who lives at the Vancouver Aquarium. The filmmakers recorded extensive footage of Agnetha and she appears in the film alongside the CGI character.

Can you visit the Deep Cove Government Dock?

Yes, it's a public dock. Note that the bench from the film was a prop and won't be there when you visit.

Where was the restaurant scene filmed?

The scene with Tova's friends was filmed at the Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant in Steveston Village, Richmond, just south of Vancouver.

Is Deep Cove worth visiting as a day trip?

Absolutely. It's about 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver and has coastal trails, water sports, local cafes, and beautiful views of Indian Arm fjord.

Can you stay near the filming locations?

Yes, there are accommodation options in North Vancouver and the surrounding area, with easy access to Deep Cove, Horseshoe Bay, and Stanley Park.