Channel 4’s intimate experiment Virgin Island returned to screens on Monday (27 April) with a brand new group of 12 new participants, all hoping to confront the personal barriers holding them back from intimacy.
The bold social experiment once again follows 12 adults in their 20s and 30s as they embark on a three-week retreat designed to help them tackle deeply personal struggles surrounding sex, relationships and self-confidence. From religious shame to body confidence issues, the show places its participants in an immersive therapeutic environment led by sex and relationship coaches Dr Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman, alongside body workers and surrogate partner therapists.
Across workshops, one-to-one sessions and emotionally-charged exercises, participants are encouraged to unpack the experiences and insecurities that have shaped their connections to intimacy. But while Virgin Island's vulnerable format is one of its biggest talking points, many viewers may be wondering where exactly the retreat was filmed.
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Despite its title, Virgin Island is not filmed in the Caribbean. Instead, the series was actually shot on Obonjan Island, a private Croatian island. More specifically, production is based at the Obonjan Island Resort – a luxury retreat situated off the coast of Šibenik.
The four-star island resort features beach-front access, a pool bar, fitness facilities, yoga spaces and wellness workshops, all surrounded by sprawling woodland and coastal scenery. Outside the resort, the island itself is largely uninhabited, making it an ideal backdrop for a show built around personal transformation.
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That contained environment is crucial as the secluded location allows participants to fully immerse themselves in the retreat without the distractions of everyday life, while its surroundings help reinforce a sense of safety the format depends on.
Obonjan Island also has an existing reputation as a wellness destination, making it a particularly fitting choice for Virgin Island. It's known for hosting relaxation experiences and health-focused retreats, naturally aligning with Virgin Island's theme of self-discovery.
But the resort isn't exclusive to TV productions. Outside filming periods, Obonjan Island Resort operates as a luxury glamping and holiday destination and is open to the public between July and September. Guests can book stays in a variety of accommodation, including island homes, lodges and sea-facing tents.
However, anyone tempted to recreate the Virgin Island experience will have to manage their expectations – while they may enjoy the same stunning scenery, they won't be embarking on Channel 4's intensive therapy programme.
Season one was also filmed on Obonjan Island, with production taking place outside of the resort's busiest season to ensure privacy for cast members. Though they've stuck to Obonjan this year, this latest series raises the stakes elsewhere.
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Season two has expanded from six episodes to eight, giving both participants and viewers more time to explore each cast member's emotional journey. Channel 4 has branded the new run "bigger, bolder and more transformative" with an expanded team of experts helping contestants address their personal intimacy challenges. Yet, life on Virgin Island is strictly regulated.
Participants are required to follow a series of strict rules throughout filming, all designed to maintain focus and emotional boundaries. Mobile phones are completely prohibited for the duration of the retreat, though cast members still have the right to a weekly phone call back home. All are asked to surrender their devices before entering the island.
This means no social media or outside distractions. Accommodations are similarly controlled. While each participant has their own room, they aren't permitted to freely enter others' spaces, reinforcing personal boundaries within the experiment. More significantly, cast members are also prohibited from maintaining contact with therapists after filming ends.
Ultimately, Virgin Island's Croatian setting is more than just a backdrop. From its isolation to its structure, Obonjan is an environment where participants are pushed to confront some of their most personal fears far from the the noise or day-to-day life. It may look like paradise, but it's worlds away from a holiday.
Virgin Island airs Monday and Tuesday nights from 9pm on Channel 4.
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