Afternoon at McGarret – Hawaii 5-0 TV Tour

The best part of the Afternoon at McGarret tour is not simply seeing places from Hawaii Five-0. It is sitting at the house used as Steve McGarrett’s home, looking out toward the water, and meeting Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, the actor who played Cousin Flippa. The setting gives the show a real sense of place.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, which leaves room for questions and makes the cast meeting feel personal. I also like the hotel pickup, bottled water, snacks, and air-conditioned van, since driving around Honolulu and stopping for photos can otherwise become a chore.

The main caution is focus. This tour is built around the 2010 to 2020 reboot, not the original Jack Lord series. At $229 per person, you need to care about the newer show, the actors, or the scenery to feel the price is justified.

Key points to know before you book

• McGarrett’s House is the main event: Visit the private home used as Steve’s television house, including its famous waterside setting when access allows.
• Cousin Flippa is part of the afternoon: Shawn Mokuahi Garnett meets the group, chats about the show, and poses for photos.
• The tour covers more than one house: You’ll see filming locations around Oahu, with Diamond Head included in the route.
• Guides shape the day: Sean, Matt, and Eric have all led tours, and the strongest outings pair show facts with local history and humor.
• Lunch is optional: Add a beef, chicken, or vegetarian sandwich for $13.50, or bring your own food.
• The newer series is the focus: Fans of the 1968 to 1980 show should adjust expectations before booking.

The real appeal is McGarrett’s House

For most people, the visit to McGarrett’s House is what turns this from a driving tour into a special television pilgrimage. The house is a private residence used on screen as Steve McGarrett’s home, and you are welcomed into the setting rather than simply shown a street corner from a van.

The waterside backyard is especially important. The chairs by the water have appeared in memorable scenes, and sitting there gives you the kind of photo opportunity that a standard sightseeing stop cannot match. Access can depend on what is happening at the property, though. One outing had to leave early because a wedding was scheduled, and the backyard setup prevented photos in the iconic chairs.

That is worth keeping in mind. The tour includes access to the house, but the exact use of every outdoor area may change. A private home is still a working property, not a museum with a fixed schedule.

The owners have also been described as warm and willing to chat. That human welcome matters. You are not walking through a theme-park replica. You are visiting a real home that happens to be tied to one of Hawaii’s best-known television shows.

Meeting Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, the man behind Cousin Flippa

The cast meeting is the strongest personal touch. Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, known on the show as Cousin Flippa, spends time with the group at the house. The interaction is not limited to a quick photograph. He has answered questions, talked about filming, and chatted at length with visitors.

That makes the $229 price easier to understand for a serious fan. You are paying for transport and sightseeing, but also for access to a cast member in the very place associated with the series. Shawn’s easygoing style is a large part of the afternoon’s appeal.

You should still think of this as a meet-and-greet, not a private interview. The amount of conversation may vary with the group and the timing. Some outings have also included other cast connections, such as Dennis or Duke, but Shawn is the cast member specifically associated with this tour.

If you have only watched a few episodes, you can still enjoy the setting and the stories. If you know the show well, you will get more from the names, scenes, and questions. It helps to watch a handful of the reboot episodes before you go, especially those featuring McGarrett’s home and Cousin Flippa.

Seeing Hawaii Five-0 locations around Oahu

The tour uses a vehicle to connect several outdoor filming locations. That is important in Honolulu, where locations that look close together on television may be spread across the island. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel save you from finding parking and let you concentrate on the scenery.

Diamond Head State Monument is part of the route, with admission included. The stop adds a major Oahu landmark to the television theme. You may recognize the volcanic crater and surrounding views from the show or from other productions filmed on the island.

The tour also points out additional places connected with Hawaii Five-0, the newer Magnum P.I., and other screen productions. The exact mix of stops can vary, so you should not expect a museum-style list with every location entered and explored on foot. Some places are viewed from the van, while others serve as photo stops.

This is where the guide makes a real difference. Sean has been praised for combining show details with facts about Honolulu, Hawaiian history, local language, and the film industry. Matt has been described as funny and enthusiastic. Eric has shared behind-the-scenes stories along the drive.

The weaker version of the tour is simply a stream of we filmed here comments without enough explanation. If your guide gives short comments at each place, ask questions. The small group makes that possible, and the best value comes from learning why a location mattered in a scene, not just seeing it from the road.

What the four-hour schedule feels like

The outing lasts about four hours, which is long enough to cover several locations without taking your entire day. Hotel pickup and drop-off make it useful for a morning or afternoon when you want a focused activity rather than a full island tour.

The day generally combines three elements:

• Driving through Honolulu and nearby areas connected with the shows
• Stops for views and photographs, including Diamond Head
• Time at McGarrett’s House with food and the cast meeting

The van has air conditioning, a practical advantage in Honolulu. Bottled water, soda, and snacks are included, so you do not need to plan around finding drinks during the drive.

The group limit of 10 is another plus. It is small enough for questions and photos without the rigid feel of a large coach. It also means the guide can sometimes respond to a fan’s particular interest, though you should not assume every requested location can be added.

The pace is not designed for long hikes. You will spend a fair amount of time seated in the vehicle, with short stops and time at the house. That suits anyone who wants the show connection without a strenuous outing.

Choosing lunch at the house

Lunch is optional and costs $13.50 per person. You can also bring your own food, which is useful if you have dietary preferences or simply want to keep the total cost down.

The sandwich choices are:

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

The meal includes the setting more than culinary adventure. You are eating at the house used for McGarrett’s home, possibly on or near the porch, with the television connection all around you. The sandwiches have been described as fresh and enjoyable, though one person found lunch merely adequate.

That is a fair way to view it. Do not book this as a food tour. Book it for the location, the conversation, and the chance to eat in a place that fans recognize from the screen.

If you bring your own meal, you still receive the main value of the house visit. The optional fee is modest compared with the overall tour price, but it is good to know you are not required to purchase lunch.

The reboot versus the Jack Lord era

This distinction matters more than it might at first seem. The tour focuses almost entirely on the 2010 to 2020 reboot because those locations remain accessible and recognizable today.

If your favorite Hawaii Five-O is the original 1968 to 1980 series starring Jack Lord, you may find the connection thin. The tour does not promise a detailed journey through that earlier production, and the available sites are tied mainly to the newer show.

For fans of Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, and the reboot cast, the focus is a good match. For longtime viewers hoping to recreate the Jack Lord era, it is a reason to pause before booking.

The good news is that the tour is not limited to television trivia. The drive includes Honolulu scenery, Diamond Head, and local stories. A person who is not a dedicated fan can still enjoy the outing, but the strongest emotional moments belong to viewers who know the newer series.

Is $229 a fair price?

At $229 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. The price includes transportation, a local guide, drinks, snacks, admission to Diamond Head, and access to the private home. Lunch costs extra, though only $13.50.

The value depends on what you are buying. If you want a basic Honolulu drive with a few movie references, the price will feel high. You can see many island sights for less through public transport or a larger group tour.

If you are a serious Hawaii Five-0 fan, the calculation changes. Hotel pickup, a small group, the house visit, and time with Shawn Garnett create an experience that is difficult to reproduce on your own. You cannot simply drive to the house and expect the same access or cast connection.

I would consider the tour good value for a fan who has already planned other major Oahu sights and wants one dedicated television afternoon. I would be less likely to recommend it to someone who has never watched the reboot, especially if the price is a concern.

Who will enjoy this most?

This tour is a strong fit for:

• Fans of the 2010 to 2020 Hawaii Five-0 series
• Couples marking a birthday, honeymoon, or special trip
• Families with adult children who enjoy television locations
• Visitors who want a small group rather than a large bus
• People interested in Hawaiian filming locations beyond one show
• Anyone who values meeting a cast member over a formal studio tour

It may not suit you if you want a deep look at the original Jack Lord series, a full-day island tour, or a food-centered outing. It also may disappoint if you expect every famous scene to be recreated exactly as shown on television.

Bring a phone or camera, wear comfortable clothing, and leave room in your schedule for the house visit. Since the experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants, keep an eye on messages from the operator before setting other plans in stone.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. If weather or low enrollment forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

My call: book it for the reboot, skip it for nostalgia

I would book this tour if Hawaii Five-0 is one of the reasons you want to see Oahu. The private house, the waterside photo setting, and the chance to talk with Shawn Garnett give the afternoon a personal quality that a normal location drive lacks.

I would skip it if your main goal is the original Jack Lord show or if $229 feels hard to justify for four hours and an optional sandwich. Before booking, watch enough of the reboot to know its characters and locations. That small bit of preparation will make the stops, stories, and house visit far more meaningful.

FAQ

How long does the Hawaii Five-0 tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, including transportation, filming locations, Diamond Head, and time at McGarrett’s House.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, making it easier to visit locations around Honolulu without arranging your own parking or transport.

How many people can join the tour?

The experience has a maximum of 10 travelers, creating a small-group setting with time for questions and photographs.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is optional, not included in the $229 tour price. You can add lunch 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.

Which cast member will I meet?

The tour includes a meet-and-greet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, who played Cousin Flippa on Hawaii Five-0.

Does the tour cover the original Jack Lord series?

The tour focuses mainly on the 2010 to 2020 reboot. Fans of the original 1968 to 1980 series should not expect the same level of attention to that production.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient enrollment cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.