Afternoon at McGarret – Hawaii 5-0 TV Tour

At McGarrett’s House, the TV setting becomes a real place: you can visit the home used as Steve McGarrett’s house, take in the backyard views, and meet Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, who played Cousin Flippa. This four-hour Honolulu tour also takes you to filming locations around Oahu, with a guide handling the driving and commentary.

I like two things about this outing: the chance to talk with a cast member, and the small group size, capped at 10. The McGarrett’s House visit gives the tour a personal touch, while the drive links the show to real places across the island.

One point to weigh before booking: this tour focuses mainly on the 2010-2020 series, not the original Jack Lord show. At $229 per person, it is a special-interest outing, and lunch costs an extra $13.50 if you choose the sandwich option.

• McGarrett’s House is the main event: Visit the home used as Steve McGarrett’s house and enjoy time with cast member Shawn Mokuahi Garnett.
• It covers more than one address: The drive includes several show locations, with Diamond Head State Monument among the named stops.
• Lunch is optional: Add one of three sandwiches for $13.50 per person, or bring your own food.
• Expect a small group: The tour has a maximum of 10 people, with hotel pickup and drop-off offered.
• The reboot is the focus: This is best suited to fans of the 2010-2020 Hawaii Five-0 series.

From Diamond Head to McGarrett’s House

This is a driving tour, not a long hike or a day of walking between locations. You spend about four hours in Honolulu and around Oahu, seeing places tied to Hawaii Five-0 from a comfortable van, with a local guide providing commentary along the way.

Diamond Head State Monument is the named first stop, with about 15 minutes allotted and admission included. That is a brief visit, so think of it as a photo stop and a chance to take in the setting, not a full exploration of the monument.

The show locations are the point, but the drive also gives you a wider look at Oahu. Guides have shared facts about Honolulu, Hawaiian history, and the local film industry, alongside details about the series. The tour’s value depends in part on the guide’s ability to connect those dots. Past guides named by participants include Matt, Sean, Eric, and Suze, though you should not assume who will lead your departure.

Several locations are pointed out from the van, and the route includes outdoor filming sites. The exact sequence and stops may vary, so I would treat the tour as a guided overview rather than a promise to visit every location from the show. If you have a particular scene or place in mind, ask your guide about it during the drive.

The McGarrett House visit

The house is the emotional center of the experience for many fans. It is a private home used as Steve McGarrett’s home in the series, and the tour gives you a chance to visit the property rather than simply point it out from the road.

The backyard and its waterside views are part of the appeal. The famous chairs seen in the show make for a memorable photo when they are available. But the home is still a private property with its own schedule. One visit was shortened because a wedding was planned, and the backyard setup meant the usual chair photos were not possible. That is a useful reminder: the house is not a movie set reserved only for the tour, so access and photo opportunities can vary.

You can also meet Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, known on the show as Cousin Flippa. Time with him is one of the tour’s strongest draws. He has been described as welcoming and willing to talk about his work on the series, so fans can ask questions and take photos. Some outings have also included other cast members, such as Dennis Duke, but that should be treated as a possible extra, not a guaranteed part of the experience.

The home’s owner has joined in the visit on some occasions, adding a personal note to the setting. Keep expectations respectful: you are being welcomed into a real home, not given free rein to roam or recreate every scene. The chance to see the property and chat with someone connected to the show is already a rare treat.

Lunch at McGarrett’s, with a choice

You can add lunch at McGarrett’s House for $13.50 per person, or bring your own. The sandwich choices are The Beefy McGarrett, The McGarrett Chicken, and The Veggie McGarrett. Bottled water, soda, and snacks are included on the tour, but the meal itself is not included in the $229 ticket price.

The setting is a big part of the appeal. Eating at the house gives you time to enjoy the surroundings and talk with Shawn, rather than rushing through a quick photo stop. The meal is a sandwich, not a restaurant-style feast, so I would see the extra charge as paying for lunch in an unusually memorable place as much as for the food itself.

Food opinions have varied, which is normal for a simple catered lunch. If you have particular dietary needs or want more control over what you eat, bringing your own is an option. The information provided does not list special dietary choices, so do not count on a custom meal without checking in advance.

What the small group and pickup change

A maximum of 10 people makes this a more personal outing than a large coach tour. You have a better chance to ask questions, hear the guide, and get a moment with Shawn without feeling swept along in a crowd. That matters on a tour built around stories and a personal visit, not just checking off landmarks.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, which helps make the four-hour outing easier to fit into a Honolulu stay. You do not have to arrange your own drive between filming locations, and the tour combines transport with the guide’s commentary. Pickup details are confirmed at booking, so check the instructions carefully and be ready at the agreed place.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, and the experience is near public transportation, though the included pickup is the more convenient option for many visitors. Bottled water, soda, and snacks are included, helpful extras during a warm day of driving and short outdoor stops.

The show matters, and so does your guide

If you are a fan of the 2010-2020 Hawaii Five-0, the references and locations give the day its shape. The tour has also been a hit with people who came along for a family member or friend. Seeing their excitement can make the experience fun even if you have never watched an episode.

Still, the guide’s style matters. Some guides have been praised for mixing show details with local history and humor. Others have been criticized for repeating that filming took place at a location without adding much context. If you want more than a list of addresses, ask questions as you go: a small group makes that easier, and it helps steer the commentary toward what interests you.

This tour is not the best fit if your main goal is to revisit the original Jack Lord series from 1968-1980. The focus is the later reboot, whose locations remain accessible and recognizable. If you love both eras, you may still enjoy the Oahu scenery and the cast connection, but set your expectations around the newer show.

Is $229 a fair price?

At $229 per person, this is a premium half-day tour. You are paying for a guided drive, pickup and drop-off, a small group, access to a private home used in the series, and the chance to meet a cast member. For a committed fan, that mix can justify the price, especially if McGarrett’s House is high on your wish list.

The value is less clear if you are only mildly curious about the show. The tour is about four hours, lunch is extra, and the named Diamond Head stop lasts just 15 minutes. You are not buying a full-day island tour or a long visit at each filming location. Consider the ticket price against how much the cast meeting and house visit matter to you.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 77 days. If your dates are fixed, it is sensible to plan early. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who should book this tour?

I would book this if you are a fan of the reboot, especially if meeting Cousin Flippa and seeing McGarrett’s House are the experiences you most want. It is also a good choice for a fan traveling with someone less committed to the show: the drive and scenery offer more than a single house visit, and the guide can add local context.

I would skip it if you are mainly interested in the original series, expect a long list of stops with extended time at each, or want a substantial included lunch. The house visit can also be affected by the owner’s schedule, so keep some flexibility around photos and access.

For the right fan, the appeal is clear: you get a compact look at Oahu through the show, a small-group outing, and a personal connection to the cast. Book it for the house and the conversation with Shawn, then treat the filming locations and island views as part of the day’s bonus.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about four hours.

What does the tour cost?

The listed price is $229 per person.

Is lunch included in the ticket price?

No. Lunch is optional and costs $13.50 per person. You can also bring your own food.

What are the lunch choices?

The sandwich options are The Beefy McGarrett, The McGarrett Chicken, and The Veggie McGarrett.

Which cast member may I meet?

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

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered.

Which Hawaii Five-0 series does the tour focus on?

The tour focuses mainly on the 2010-2020 series, rather than the original Jack Lord series.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.