Bears on a Ship (2025) Filming Locations

Hey guys! If you’re into indie horror that’s totally bonkers, you’ve got to check out Bears on a Ship—a killer animal-attack flick by Eduardo Castrillo.

Picture being stuck on an abandoned cruise liner…with a pack of bloodthirsty bears! We’re diving into where this gory adventure was filmed, why the location rocks, plus some cool trivia and FAQs.

Let’s sail into the madness! 🐻🚢


Bears on a Ship Filming Locations

LocationWhy It’s Epic
MV Aurora – Little Potato Slough, CAA rusty, half-sunken ship that’s been in James Bond and Baywatch—perfect haunted vibe
Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, CAMaze of waterways and foggy mornings gives that remote, “we’re doomed” feeling
Indiegogo Campaign HQ (Online!)Fans chipped in to bring the bears to life—get the inside scoop on how YOU funded this wild ride

Bears on a Ship Filming Locations

The heart of the movie is the MV Aurora, a retired 1955 cruise ship rusting away in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. Filming kicked off in summer 2023 on its creaky decks and peeling paint.

  • What’s Cool:
    This real-life relic once cruised the Atlantic, showed up in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, and even inspired The Love Boat. Now it’s your favorite horror set!
  • Why You’d Love It:
    If you visit, you can explore the ship’s decaying halls (tour operators run eco-friendly delta boat trips) and imagine the bears lurking around every corner. Plus, the Delta’s bike trails and birdwatching spots are a sweet bonus.

Surrounding that ghost ship is the sprawling Delta—an endless network of sloughs and marshland.

  • What’s Cool:
    Early morning fog and quiet water channels make you feel totally cut off from civilization—ideal for a horror flick.
  • Why You’d Love It:
    Kayak through the same backwaters the crew used, grab local delta wines, and watch spectacular sunsets over the water.

  • Derek Crowe as Ethan – the stranded group’s reluctant leader 🧑‍✈️
  • Jo’nez Cain as Maya – wildlife biologist who fears no bear…until now 🐾
  • Sherill Quinn as Jess – social media vlogger turned survival expert 📹
  • Krystal Shay as Rae – thrill-seeker who regrets every decision 🤦‍♀️

They’re all fresh faces in horror, bringing real fear and energy to every scene!


  1. Crowdfunding Star: Over 2,000 backers on Indiegogo fueled the budget—check it out here: Indiegogo: Bears on a Ship.
  2. Live Bear Safety: Real bears were never on set; animatronics and clever CGI took their place to keep everyone safe.
  3. Local Extras: River Delta residents got cast as background sailors and deckhands—shout-out to Stockton locals!
  4. Environmental Focus: The crew partnered with a river cleanup nonprofit—filming left the slough cleaner than they found it.
  5. Ship’s Other Roles: Between shoots, the MV Aurora doubles as a floating event space—people still have weddings on its deck!

Bears on a Ship turns a decaying cruise liner into your worst nightmare, all thanks to the haunting MV Aurora and the misty Delta waters.

Whether you’re a horror geek or love exploring offbeat spots, this movie’s locations are next-level.

Grab your kayak, load up on bear spray (just kidding!), and experience the real settings behind the gore!


Where exactly was Bears on a Ship filmed?

Aboard the MV Aurora moored at Little Potato Slough in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, California.

When did they shoot aboard the Aurora?

Filming took place during summer 2023, capturing the ship’s scary, rusted look.

Can you visit the MV Aurora?

Yes Delta boat tours offer eco-friendly cruises past the ship, and some even include dock-side photo ops.

Why choose the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta?

Its fog-gy waterways and isolated feel create perfect horror ambience—and locals helped make it happen!

Is the movie crowd-funded?

Yup! Over 2,000 fans backed it on Indiegogo, making this a true indie success story.

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