Naked and Afraid XL: Season 5
On May 14, 2019, it was announced that the fifth season would premiere on June 2, 2019. This season's all-star cast faced the challenges of remote areas in the island of Palawan of the Philippines. Four teams of three arrived by boat and were dropped into the South China Sea, forcing them to swim through shark-infested waters to make camp on deserted islands. Some of the survivalists were seeking redemption for obst
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Naked and Afraid XL Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
On May 14, 2019, it was announced that the fifth season would premiere on June 2, 2019.
This season's all-star cast faced the challenges of remote areas in the island of Palawan of the Philippines. Four teams of three arrived by boat and were dropped into the South China Sea, forcing them to swim through shark-infested waters to make camp on deserted islands. Some of the survivalists were seeking redemption for obstacles faced in prior seasons.
In addition, two all-stars (Jeff and Laura) embarked early on an unprecedented 60-day challenge in jungles of the Philippines, then joined the others for the remaining 40 days. Jeff and Laura's early journey premiered on Discovery's Naked and Afraid: Savage on May 19, 2019.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Not a Drop To Drink
Sep 27, 2020 · 88 min
12 elite survivalists enter an unprecedented 40-day XL challenge. In the ocean off the coast of the Philippines, they must survive a shark-infested ocean and then face the dense Ph
Waterworld
Oct 4, 2020 · 44 min
12 elite survivalists are dropped into the brutal South China Sea where they must survive 40 days on land and sea. Plus, 2 All-Star survivalists enter the same challenge looking to
Surviving With Sharks
Oct 11, 2020 · 44 min
With resources dwindling, the survivalists venture into the shark-infested waters of the South China Sea searching for a much-needed meal.
The Devil and the South China Sea
Oct 18, 2020 · 44 min
Ambushed by tropical storms, the survivalists are pounded by torrential rain and heavy surf; survivalists are stalked by sharks after taking to the open seas; one survivalist reach
Belly of the Beast
Oct 25, 2020 · 44 min
Since the open sea is too dangerous to navigate, survivalists trek through a jungle filled with venomous centipedes, vipers and monitor lizards.
No Hand-Outs
Nov 1, 2020 · 43 min
A survivalist on a hunting expedition is bitten by a snake and requires an emergency medical evacuation; tensions arise between teams as hunting grounds get territorial; one group
Hike Into Hell
Nov 8, 2020 · 44 min
A grueling five-mile hike into the snake-filled jungles of the Palawan island tests the three remaining teams of survivalists; the one-day journey turns into two days of chaos, and
Jeff's Worst Nightmare
Nov 15, 2020 · 44 min
The group is devastated when two critical survivalists leave the challenge; with just 10 days left before extraction, Jeff is forced to change his survival strategy, but a medical
Apex Predators
Nov 22, 2020 · 44 min
With just 10 days left before extraction, Jeff is forced to change his survival strategy but a medical emergency quickly has him on the brink of a tap out.
Goodbye Cruel Waterworld
Nov 29, 2020 · 44 min
Season finale. Medics closely monitor Jeff's high fever and prepare his evacuation. The others scramble for a 5-mile extraction journey through shark-infested waters. A survivalist
Den of Vipers
Dec 6, 2020 · 88 min
Jeff is called out for his "no hand-outs" survival strategy but refuses to back down. Through a free-wheeling discussion, new interviews, and never-before-seen footage, it's a new