Cloud 9 employs a location manager who has to scout the countryside for wonderful places in which to film the series. This manager then goes out on a "recce" with members from the production team such as the director for the upcoming episode, first assistant director, the production manager, art director and director of photography. This team make sure that the chosen location will suit the requirements of the episode and is a safe area in which to film. It is then up to the location manager to liaise with the owner of the property or land and to obtain any permits from the council. Cloud 9 works closely with the council to make sure that no flora and fauna is harmed during filming.

Most locations are dressed by the art department to suit the feel of the show during the filming of Atlantis High, and locals from a nearby town grew used to seeing armoured vehicles, motorbikes and American cars cruising down their streets! Outdoor locations were chosen for their resemblance to California as the series has a definite surf-culture vibe to it. We did not have to look very far for wonderful locations in New Zealand and managed to find an empty wing of a local school that became the home of Atlantis High school itself. Many golden sandy beaches were used in the filming of the series, beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, and so it was that Sunset Cove was born.