Afternoon at McGarret – Hawaii 5-0 TV Tour

The best part of this Honolulu tour is not simply seeing a filming location from the 2010 to 2020 Hawaii Five-0 series. It is sitting at McGarrett’s House, looking toward the water, and meeting Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, who played Cousin Flippa. That personal connection gives the show’s fictional world a real Hawaiian welcome.

I like the small group size, capped at 10 people, and the fact that hotel pickup and drop-off are included. I also like the mix of screen locations, island scenery, local stories, and time with cast members such as Shawn and, on some departures, Dennis, known as Duke.

The main caution is price. At $229 per person, this is a premium half-day outing, and lunch costs an additional $13.50 unless you bring your own. It is aimed mainly at fans of the modern series, not people hoping to revisit the original Jack Lord show from 1968 to 1980.

Key points to know before booking

• McGarrett’s House is the emotional centerpiece: You can visit the home used as Steve McGarrett’s house and spend time in the famous waterfront backyard, subject to the property’s availability.
• Cousin Flippa is part of the experience: Shawn Mokuahi Garnett may join you for photographs, conversation, and stories about the show.
• The tour covers more than one house: You drive around Honolulu and see additional Hawaii Five-0 locations, along with places connected to other filmed productions.
• Lunch is optional: Choose a Beefy McGarrett, McGarrett Chicken, or Veggie McGarrett sandwich for $13.50, or bring your own food.
• This is a modern-series tour: The focus is the 2010 to 2020 reboot, since those locations are still accessible and recognizable.
• Expect an intimate van tour: The group limit is 10, with bottled water, soda, snacks, an English-speaking guide, and transportation included.

Why McGarrett’s House matters so much

Television fans often expect a filming-location tour to mean a quick photo beside a building and a guide pointing out where a scene happened. This experience can offer more than that. McGarrett’s House is an actual private home used as Steve McGarrett’s residence, and the visit gives you time to take in the setting rather than simply photograph the front door.

The backyard and waterfront chairs are especially important to fans of the show. They are tied to many relaxed scenes and provide the clearest connection between the television set and the real Oahu setting. Several departures have included time to sit in the chairs, take photographs, eat on the porch, and chat with the homeowner.

That last detail matters. You are not visiting a museum or a purpose-built attraction. You are being welcomed onto private property that continues to feel like a home. The atmosphere can be warm and personal, but it also means the visit is subject to real-life events. One recent group had to leave earlier than expected because a wedding was being prepared at the house, and the usual chair photographs were not available.

That is a useful reality check. The house is the tour’s greatest draw, but it is not a theme-park set under the operator’s complete control. Ask your guide what is possible on the day, and be ready for the visit to change if the property is needed for another event.

Following Hawaii Five-0 around Honolulu

The tour lasts about four hours, with a driving portion that links several filming locations. Diamond Head State Monument is listed as a stop, and the route also includes outdoor sites and locations associated with the show’s Honolulu setting.

The value here is the context. You are not just looking at a single house. You are seeing how the series used Oahu as both a setting and a working production base. Guides such as Sean, Matt, and Eric have been praised for adding facts about Honolulu, island customs, filming, and places connected with Hawaii Five-0.

Some guides have also pointed out locations from Magnum P.I. and other productions filmed in Hawaii. That makes the tour more useful for anyone who enjoys television production in general, even if the Five-0 obsession belongs mainly to one person in your group.

The exact rhythm can vary by guide and by conditions. Some stops may be formal photo opportunities, while other locations are viewed from the van. You should not expect access to every building shown on television. Active businesses, public roads, private homes, and production needs limit what a location tour can offer.

A good guide makes those limits less frustrating by explaining what you are seeing and why it mattered on screen. Sean has been singled out for connecting filming facts with Honolulu history and local language tips. Matt has been praised for his energy, humor, and ability to keep the ride moving. The strongest version of this tour depends heavily on that storytelling.

Diamond Head and the scenery beyond the show

Diamond Head State Monument provides a scenic pause from the television theme. Admission is included, and the stop gives you one of the most recognizable natural backdrops near Honolulu.

The supplied details do not indicate a full Diamond Head hike, so do not book this expecting a summit climb. Treat it as a scheduled sightseeing stop within a film-location tour. You will want comfortable shoes and sun protection, but the exact amount of walking depends on the guide and the day’s schedule.

This is one reason the outing can appeal to a companion who has never watched Hawaii Five-0. The show gives the tour its structure, but Oahu’s coastline, viewpoints, and outdoor locations provide much of the visual appeal. The van also lets you see more of the area than you would by spending the whole afternoon at one property.

Still, the scenery is an extra, not the central product. If your main goal is a long visit to Diamond Head or a detailed island sightseeing circuit, choose a dedicated nature or sightseeing tour instead.

Lunch at McGarrett’s House

Lunch is optional and costs $13.50 per person. You can also bring your own food, which is helpful if you have dietary needs or simply want to control the cost.

The sandwich choices are:

• The Beefy McGarrett
• The McGarrett Chicken
• The Veggie McGarrett

Drinks and snacks are included during the outing, while the optional meal adds a more complete break at the house. The lunch itself is a sandwich rather than a restaurant meal, so keep your expectations sensible. The setting is the real attraction: eating on McGarrett’s porch, near the waterfront, in a home seen throughout the series.

The food has generally been described as fresh and enjoyable, though one person found lunch only average. That is fair. You are paying for the location and access, not a gourmet dining experience.

If you bring your own meal, you still receive the main benefit of the stop: the house, the setting, and the chance to meet the cast member. If you are trying to trim the total cost, skipping the add-on is a reasonable choice.

Meeting Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, Cousin Flippa

Shawn Mokuahi Garnett is one of the strongest reasons to book this experience. Known on the show as Cousin Flippa, he has joined groups at McGarrett’s House for photographs and conversation.

The interaction is presented as a meet-and-greet, not a formal stage performance. You may have time to ask questions about filming and hear personal stories about the series. Shawn has also been described as a musician, funny, friendly, and willing to speak with people at length.

That personal time is more valuable than a rushed photograph. If you are a serious fan, prepare a few questions before the tour. You may get a better conversation by asking about filming routines, working with the cast, or how a particular location was used.

Some departures have also included a meeting with Dennis, known as Duke. This appears to depend on the day and the people available, so do not book on the assumption that every cast member will attend. The confirmed highlight is the opportunity to meet Shawn at the house.

The homeowner may also join the lunch conversation. That adds a rare human touch, but remember that you are entering a private residence. Follow the guide’s instructions about photographs, movement through the property, and time limits.

The guide can shape the whole afternoon

The van, bottled water, soda, snacks, and pickup are useful, but the guide is the person who turns transportation into a tour. Names that appear in connection with this experience include Sean, Matt, and Eric, and the strongest comments describe guides who know both the television series and Honolulu.

A good guide can explain why a location mattered, identify details you might miss, and connect the show to local places. That makes a drive-by feel purposeful. The small group also gives you room to ask questions instead of simply listening from the back of a large coach.

The experience is not perfectly uniform. One person found the commentary repetitive and wanted more specific backstory. Another felt the tour needed a more polished presentation, with stronger use of scenes or music from the series. Those are reasonable concerns at this price.

If your ideal tour has a tightly scripted narration with constant clips and production facts, you may find this outing informal. If you enjoy conversation, local stories, and a guide who can adapt to the group, the format may suit you better.

What $229 buys you

At $229, you are paying for a specialized experience rather than basic transportation. The cost includes approximately four hours, hotel pickup and drop-off, a local English-speaking guide, a small group, drinks, snacks, admission to the listed Diamond Head stop, filming-location visits, and the McGarrett House experience.

Lunch is extra, bringing the total to $242.50 per person if you choose one of the sandwiches. You can keep the price at $229 by bringing your own meal.

The value is strongest for a committed fan who would gladly pay for access to the McGarrett House and a conversation with Cousin Flippa. For that person, the house visit alone may justify much of the cost. It is also convenient for a visitor who does not want to arrange a rental car or piece together scattered locations.

The value is weaker if you have only a passing interest in the show. You will still see attractive parts of Oahu and hear local information, but a general sightseeing tour may offer more varied stops for the same money.

The small group helps. With no more than 10 people, you are less likely to lose the personal feel at the house, and you can ask the guide about locations that matter to you. Hotel pickup also saves planning time, though the tour’s pickup coverage and exact timing should be confirmed before booking.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This is an excellent match for fans of the 2010 to 2020 Hawaii Five-0 reboot. You will recognize Steve McGarrett’s home, appreciate the outdoor filming locations, and get the most from Shawn’s appearance.

It also works well for couples, families with adult children, and mixed groups. One person can be the devoted fan while the rest enjoy the scenery, local stories, and cast encounter. The tour has been especially meaningful for birthday celebrations and honeymoon itineraries because it creates a clear, personal memory rather than another generic drive around Honolulu.

You should think twice if your main interest is the original 1968 to 1980 series starring Jack Lord. This tour focuses almost entirely on the newer production. The original series fan in your group may enjoy the island setting, but should not expect a detailed recreation of that era.

It may also disappoint you if you expect access to a working studio, a large number of cast members, or every famous location. The experience centers on the house, a small number of outdoor sites, and the stories shared by the guide and available cast members.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The activity runs for about four hours and requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses Honolulu local time.

The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. It is near public transportation, though pickup is offered, which is much more useful if you are staying at a hotel and do not want to navigate between stops.

Since the experience is often booked well ahead, an average of 77 days in advance, reserve early if the house visit is a major reason for your Honolulu plans. That lead time also matters if you need a particular date during a busy vacation.

Should you book Afternoon at McGarret?

Book it if Hawaii Five-0 is a real part of your trip, especially if you love the reboot. The combination of filming locations, McGarrett’s House, waterfront photographs, local storytelling, and time with Cousin Flippa gives you something a standard Honolulu sightseeing tour cannot provide.

At $229, it is not a bargain, and the optional lunch raises the total. The tour also depends on the day’s access to the private house, the guide’s style, and the availability of additional cast members.

My advice is simple: committed modern-series fans should book, and bring a few questions for Shawn. Casual viewers should choose it only if the scenery, small group, and local commentary appeal to them as much as the show. Original Jack Lord fans should understand the focus before paying. That bit of clarity can make the difference between a memorable afternoon and an expensive mismatch.

FAQ

How long does the Hawaii Five-0 TV tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour takes place in Honolulu, with visits to Hawaii Five-0 filming locations, Diamond Head State Monument, and McGarrett’s House.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of 10 participants.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is optional and is not included in the base price. You can add it for $13.50 per person or bring your own food.

What lunch choices are available?

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

Will I meet a cast member?

The experience includes a meet-and-greet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, known as Cousin Flippa. Other cast members, including Dennis, known as Duke, may be present, but this is not guaranteed in the supplied tour details.

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

No. The tour focuses primarily on the 2010 to 2020 Hawaii Five-0 reboot. Fans of the original Jack Lord series may find limited connection to that version.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled.