Afternoon at McGarret – Hawaii 5-0 TV Tour

The best part of this Honolulu tour is not a quick photo beside a sign. It is sitting at the real McGarrett’s House, looking out over the water, and meeting Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, the actor who played Cousin Flippa. You also ride through several O‘ahu locations tied to the 2010 to 2020 Hawaii Five-0 series.

I like the small group, capped at 10 people, and the easy hotel pickup and drop-off. I also like the mix of television trivia, island scenery, and local stories from guides such as Sean, Matt, and Eric. The main consideration is the price: at $229 per person, this makes sense chiefly for serious fans, especially if you add the $13.50 lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• McGarrett’s House is the main event: You visit the private home used as Steve McGarrett’s house and may sit in the famous outdoor chairs by the water.
• Shawn Mokuahi Garnett is part of the experience: The actor known as Cousin Flippa meets the group, answers questions, and poses for photos.
• The tour focuses on the reboot: Expect the 2010 to 2020 Hawaii Five-0 series, not the original Jack Lord program.
• The group stays small: A maximum of 10 people gives you more room to ask questions and take pictures.
• Lunch costs extra: Choose a Beefy McGarrett, McGarrett Chicken, or Veggie McGarrett sandwich for $13.50, or bring your own food.
• The day lasts about four hours: Hotel pickup, a comfortable van ride, filming sites, Diamond Head, and time at the house are all part of the outing.

Why McGarrett’s House makes this tour different

Most television tours give you a map, a few drive-bys, and a guide pointing toward a building. This one has a far more personal centerpiece. The house used for McGarrett’s home is a private residence, and the visit gives you time to see the setting from the inside and outside.

The backyard is the prize. The famous chairs by the water have become one of the show’s clearest visual markers, and sitting there makes the connection far stronger than simply seeing a location through a van window. You get a useful photo opportunity, though access can depend on what is happening at the property that day.

One important warning: the home remains a private event space. A wedding or another booking can limit access to the backyard, the chairs, or the amount of time available. On one occasion, people had to leave by noon because a wedding was scheduled later that day. The owners were still welcoming, and the meeting with Shawn remained a highlight, but the visit was shorter than expected.

That is worth keeping in mind when you book. The house is the tour’s biggest draw, but it is not a theme-park attraction with a fixed display and guaranteed access to every corner. Conditions at the private home can change.

Meeting Shawn Garnett as Cousin Flippa

The cast meeting gives the outing its human touch. Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, known on the show as Cousin Flippa, spends time with the group, talks about his work, and takes photos. The strongest part is the relaxed conversation. You are not simply handed a quick autograph and moved along.

Shawn is also a musician, and his easygoing personality fits the informal setting. People who are curious about filming, the show, or life in Hawai‘i can ask questions directly. You should expect a personal appearance from Shawn, not a full cast reunion. Other actors have been present on some departures, but they are not listed as a standard part of the tour.

The meeting works for people who know every episode, but it can also help family members who are less familiar with the series. One person in a group may be a devoted fan while another has never watched the show. The house, ocean views, and cast conversation give nonfans something to enjoy too.

The drive through Honolulu filming locations

The van portion connects the house visit with the wider world of Hawaii Five-0. You travel through Honolulu and see places associated with the show, along with other film locations and local sights. Some are photo stops. Others are locations pointed out from the vehicle.

The value depends heavily on your guide. Sean has been praised for linking show facts with Honolulu history, island customs, and bits of local language. Matt is known for a lively, funny approach, while Eric has shared personal stories connected with the film industry. A good guide makes an ordinary street corner meaningful by explaining what happened there and why the production used it.

This is also where expectations matter. The tour is not built around a long list of guaranteed, walk-up filming locations. Some sites may be seen from the van, and the amount of detail can vary by guide. If you want a highly scripted production with clips, music, and a scene-by-scene presentation, you may find the format loose.

The tour operator has acknowledged that the experience is still being refined, including ideas such as using show music and video clips earlier in the day. At its best, the outing feels like a conversation with a local who knows both Honolulu and the production. At its weakest, repeated comments about places where filming occurred can feel thin if they are not backed by a story.

For that reason, ask questions. A small group gives you a good chance to request more detail about a favorite scene, location, or actor.

Diamond Head and the scenery beyond the show

Diamond Head State Monument is listed as a stop with admission included. It adds a major O‘ahu view to what could otherwise be a strictly television-focused outing.

Do not expect a full Diamond Head hike as part of this four-hour tour. The supplied itinerary gives only a short stop, and the day also includes driving and time at McGarrett’s House. Think of it as a chance to see one of Honolulu’s best-known natural landmarks and take pictures, not a substitute for a dedicated visit to the crater.

That is a good arrangement for a television tour. The show sites give the day its purpose, while Diamond Head and the coastal views remind you that O‘ahu itself is part of the attraction. Even people who are not devoted fans can enjoy the scenery and the ride through the city.

Lunch at the house: sandwich, setting, and extra cost

Lunch is optional. You can pay $13.50 per person for a sandwich, or bring your own food. The choices are the Beefy McGarrett, McGarrett Chicken, and Veggie McGarrett. Bottled water, soda, and snacks are included during the tour.

The meal is simple rather than fancy. You are getting a sandwich, chips, and a drink, not a restaurant lunch. The setting does the heavy lifting: eating at McGarrett’s House, often on the porch or near the water, turns an ordinary meal into part of the show experience.

I would add the lunch if you want the full McGarrett’s House visit and do not want to worry about carrying food. The $13.50 price is reasonable for convenience and the location. If you are watching every dollar, bring your own lunch and spend your time on the house, photos, and conversation instead.

One practical point: confirm the lunch arrangement when booking. The information describes it as optional, so you should not assume food is included in the $229 base price.

Guides, van comfort, and group size

Hotel pickup and drop-off make this easier than arranging a separate rental car and trying to locate filming sites yourself. The tour uses an air-conditioned van, and bottled water, soft drinks, and snacks are provided. Pickup is offered, and the activity is available in English.

A maximum of 10 people is a real advantage. You can hear the guide without fighting a large crowd, and there is more room for questions at the house. It also helps during the cast meeting, when each person has a chance to speak with Shawn rather than being pushed through a long line.

The guide can shape the day. Sean has been singled out for his comments about Honolulu, Hawaiian language, television production, and local lore. Matt brings humor and energy. Eric has added personal film-industry stories. That range means the tone may feel different from one departure to another.

Most people can take part, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, the practical details provided do not spell out vehicle accessibility, walking distances, or exact pickup zones. If you need a specific accommodation, ask before booking.

How the $229 price measures up

At $229 per person, this is an expensive half-day outing. You are paying for a small group, transportation, a guide, admission to Diamond Head State Monument, the McGarrett’s House visit, and the cast meeting. Lunch is extra.

The value is strongest if you are a committed fan of the reboot and would otherwise spend time and money locating filming sites on your own. The private-home setting and Shawn’s appearance are difficult to reproduce independently. You also avoid navigating Honolulu while trying to match scenes to real places.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a general Honolulu sightseeing tour. The filming locations are the reason for the price, and some are viewed from the van rather than explored at length. A visitor who has never watched the show may enjoy the scenery and the local commentary, but may not feel the full benefit of the tour’s central theme.

The original Jack Lord series is another important distinction. This outing focuses almost entirely on the 2010 to 2020 reboot because those locations are still accessible and recognizable. If your favorite Hawaii Five-O is the 1968 to 1980 series, you may leave wishing for more of that era.

Who should book this Hawaii Five-0 experience?

You should consider it if you:

• Know and enjoy the 2010 to 2020 Hawaii Five-0 series.
• Want a cast meeting rather than only exterior filming sites.
• Care most about visiting McGarrett’s House and taking photos there.
• Prefer a small group to a large bus tour.
• Want hotel pickup and a guide who can add local information.
• Are happy with a flexible, conversational format.

You may want to skip it if you:

• Mainly want locations from the original Jack Lord series.
• Expect every cast member to appear.
• Want a long hike at Diamond Head.
• Prefer a tightly scripted tour with clips, music, and a fixed presentation.
• Consider $229 too high for a four-hour outing with optional lunch.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If weather or low enrollment cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Less than 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if McGarrett’s House and a conversation with Cousin Flippa sound more exciting than a standard Honolulu sightseeing loop. The house, the small group, the comfortable van, and Shawn Garnett’s personal appearance give the day a clear purpose.

I would treat the filming-location drive as a bonus rather than the sole reason to pay the price. I would also confirm the planned house access and lunch details before committing, since the private property can have outside events. For a serious fan of the reboot, this is a memorable way to connect the television show with real O‘ahu. For an original-series fan or a casual visitor, the cost may be harder to justify.

FAQ

How long does the Hawaii Five-0 tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $229 per person.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is optional and costs an additional $13.50 per person. You can also bring your own lunch.

What lunch choices are available?

The choices are the Beefy McGarrett, the McGarrett Chicken, and the Veggie McGarrett sandwiches.

Who is the cast member I will meet?

The tour includes a meet-and-greet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, who played Cousin Flippa.

Does the tour visit McGarrett’s House?

Yes. The experience includes a visit to the private home used as McGarrett’s house in the series.

Does the tour focus on the original Hawaii Five-O series?

The tour focuses primarily on the 2010 to 2020 Hawaii Five-0 reboot. It does not primarily cover the original Jack Lord series.

Is hotel transportation available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. A full refund is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.