One TV stop feels like a whole season. This 4-hour Honolulu tour pairs Diamond Head with McGarrett’s House and a real meet-and-greet with cast member Shawn Mokuahi Garnett. I like the small-group feel, the photo time, and how the day mixes show moments with real island setting.

Two things really pull their weight: the included park ticket at Diamond Head and the chance to sit down for lunch at Steve’s place while meeting Cousin Flippa. The van ride is built for comfort in the afternoon, too, plus you get bottled water, soda, and snacks along the way.

One consideration: the experience leans heavily toward the 2010–2020 reboot era, not the original 1968–1980 series. If you’re chasing Jack Lord-era specifics, you may feel like you wanted a different focus.

Key points you’ll care about

• Small group size (max 10) means more time for questions and photos
• Meet-and-greet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa) during lunch at the house
• Diamond Head State Monument stop is short but includes the park admission ticket
• Lunch at McGarrett’s House is optional ($13.50 add-on) with set sandwich choices
• The backyard chair photo moment can vary if the property is booked for events
• Most of the filming locations tie to the later reboot era

How This 4-Hour Honolulu Tour Really Works

This tour is designed as an afternoon hit, not an all-day marathon. Expect roughly 4 hours, with a clear sequence that starts with a quick Diamond Head moment, then moves into lunch at McGarrett’s House, and finishes with more filming-location driving and stops.

If you’re short on time in Honolulu, this is one of the more efficient ways to turn your love of Hawaii Five-0 into something physical. You’re not just looking at a website list; you’re riding around O‘ahu with a guide who connects what you see to what you’ve watched.

The format also matters for your comfort. Small group size plus pickup service tends to reduce the stress of figuring out parking and timing on your own. And with bottled water, soda, and snacks included, you’ll avoid the usual “I forgot to eat” scramble.

Pickup, Van Ride, and a Small Group That Lets You Ask Questions

You get hotel pickup and drop-off, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket. That alone helps on busy Waikiki days, because you’re not juggling directions, shuttles, and delays.

The tour caps at 10 travelers, which is a big deal for this type of experience. You’re more likely to get your questions answered instead of being squeezed into background chatter while the van keeps moving. People seem to enjoy that fact in particular, especially around lunch and meet-and-greet time.

The ride itself is usually handled in an air-conditioned van. That’s practical in Honolulu heat, and it also makes the filming-location drive more pleasant when you’re doing repeated photo stops.

Diamond Head State Monument: The Quick View With the Ticket Included

You’ll spend about 15 minutes at Diamond Head State Monument, and the park admission ticket is included. It’s not enough time to treat it like a full hike, but it’s a solid way to get the skyline and crater vibe without turning your Five-0 day into a fitness day.

Why this stop works: Diamond Head is one of those places that gives you immediate geographic context for Waikiki and Honolulu. Even if you’ve never hiked here before, you’ll understand why the show uses this area so often.

The tradeoff is time. Fifteen minutes means you should keep your camera ready and your expectations simple. This is a hit-and-snapped moment so you can stay on schedule for lunch at McGarrett’s House.

McGarrett’s House Lunch With Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa)

This is the heart of the tour. You’ll go to McGarrett’s House for lunch and a meet-and-greet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, who plays Cousin Flippa.

Lunch format and what you can choose

Lunch is an optional add-on. The price for that lunch add-on is listed as $13.50 per person. If you don’t add lunch, you can bring your own.

If you do choose lunch, you pick from these sandwich options:

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

This matters because the lunch plan doesn’t feel random. It’s tied to the experience at the house, and it also keeps the schedule smooth so you get time for photos and conversation without rushing through everything.

The meet-and-greet energy: more than a quick handshake

You’re not only visiting a location; you’re sharing it with someone tied directly to the show. People consistently mention the warmth and the conversation style around Shawn Mokuahi Garnett. That’s what makes lunch feel like a real event instead of a photo stop bolted onto a driving tour.

You’ll also get access to the home setting in a way that feels special. Several photo opportunities are built into the time there, including the kind of iconic chair moment fans associate with the show.

A real-world wrinkle: events can affect photo spots

Here’s the practical heads-up: the property can be set up for other events. One guest experience described arriving to find wedding setup affecting the iconic chair photo area, even though meeting Cousin Flippa still worked out well.

So if your top priority is a specific photo setup, you’ll want to stay flexible. The schedule is built around a house that’s not a museum. When life happens, the tour adapts—and your best move is to enjoy the conversation and location time first, photos second.

Filming Locations by Car: How the Guide Turns O‘ahu Into Plot Points

After lunch, the day continues with more filming locations driven from around the island. The tour is built around showing you where the show was shot and how certain areas connect to what you remember on screen.

The biggest thing to know upfront: this tour focuses mainly on the 2010–2020 reboot era of Hawaii Five-0. If your watch list is heavy on the original 1968–1980 series, you may leave feeling like you wanted more of that time period.

The good news is that the reboot era still gives you plenty to enjoy. Honolulu’s streets and views look great in every decade, and having a guide point out filming spots turns normal driving into a scavenger hunt.

Also, the way the guide explains things can make a big difference. Some guests loved guides who shared both show facts and O‘ahu context, while others wished for more storytelling instead of repeating the same line at each stop. Practically, that means you should go in ready for a mix of show talk and local-area interpretation rather than expecting a full encyclopedia on every block.

Price and Value: Does $229 Make Sense?

At $229 per person for about 4 hours, you’re paying for a few things that DIY can’t easily replicate:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off (less hassle, less cost in time and transportation planning)
• A local guide focused on show locations
• Included refreshments: bottled water, soda, snacks
• A short but meaningful Diamond Head stop with admission included
• A rare-access experience at McGarrett’s House plus the cast meet during lunch

Lunch can add $13.50 if you choose it, so your all-in cost depends on that decision. But even with that add-on, the value calculation is really about the house access plus the meet-and-greet factor.

Is it worth it if you’re not a heavy fan? Maybe, because Honolulu looks good from a van, and Diamond Head is a classic. But the price is clearly tuned for people who want the show connection to be the main event, not just a side quest.

Who Should Book This and Who Might Want to Adjust Expectations

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Are a Hawaii Five-0 fan of the 2010–2020 reboot era
• Want a more structured way to see filming locations without researching and driving yourself
• Care most about McGarrett’s House and the Cousin Flippa meet rather than a full-day sightseeing program

It may not be the best fit if you:

• Are mostly focused on the original Jack Lord-era series
• Need a lot of detailed backstory at every single stop
• Have a specific photo goal that depends on event-free yard access at the house (because weddings can change what’s available)

If you like short, efficient experiences with a clear centerpiece, you’ll probably enjoy it. If you prefer long museum-style immersion, this one is more about the afternoon moment and the show fandom.

What to Expect Day-of (and What to Bring)

You’ll be out for about 4 hours, so plan the rest of your day around that. After pickup, you’ll move through stops with enough time to take photos and enjoy the moments, but not so much time that you feel stranded.

Bring:

• A camera or phone with enough battery (photo time is part of the fun)
• Sun protection, since you’re doing at least one outdoor stop at Diamond Head and the house time includes outdoor space
• If you skip lunch, bring your own meal option since lunch is listed as optional with the ability to bring your own

Also, arrive with an open mind about flow. This is a small-group experience and a property with real-life scheduling, so the vibe stays friendly, but the day isn’t a perfectly controlled studio set.

Should You Book Afternoon at McGarrett?

Book it if you’re traveling to Honolulu with Hawaii Five-0 on your must-do list and especially if the reboot era is the one you know best. The combination of Diamond Head with included admission, the lunch time at McGarrett’s House, and meeting Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa) gives you a mix that feels more personal than a generic sightseeing tour.

Skip or rethink it if you’re mostly hunting Jack Lord-era locations or you’re expecting deep, nonstop storytelling at every single filming spot. In that case, you might find the focus too specific to the later reboot and the pacing a little more show-style than lecture-style.

If your goal is to spend one afternoon turning your screen memories into real streets and a real house moment, this tour is a very reasonable way to do it.

FAQ

How long is the Afternoon at McGarrett Hawaii 5-0 TV Tour?

It runs about 4 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $229.00 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered, and the tour includes pickup and drop-off.

Is Diamond Head State Monument part of the tour?

Yes. You’ll have a stop at Diamond Head State Monument for about 15 minutes, and the admission ticket is included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch at McGarrett’s House is optional. You can choose to add lunch for $13.50 per person, or bring your own.

What sandwich choices are offered for lunch?

The lunch sandwich options are The Beefy McGarrett, The McGarrett Chicken, or The Veggie McGarrett.

Who will you meet during lunch?

The meet-and-greet during lunch is with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, who plays Cousin Flippa.

What’s the maximum group size?

This experience is limited to a maximum of 10 travelers.

Does the tour run in any weather?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation window for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

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