Want Honolulu with TV magic? This small-group Hawaii Five-0 tour strings together recognizable filming spots, a short stop at Diamond Head, and a proper meal at McGarrett’s House with a meet-and-greet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, Cousin Flippa.

I especially like the hands-on feel of getting to hang around the show’s world on O’ahu, not just pass by it from a bus window. I also like the practical touches included for comfort, like bottled water, soda/pop, and snacks during the drive. The main consideration is that the experience is centered on the 2010 to 2020 reboot era, so die-hard fans of the original Jack Lord series may feel they wanted more from that timeframe.

Key things I’d plan around

Max 10 people means more time for questions and photos.

Diamond Head is brief, but the views are the point.

McGarrett’s House lunch can be either bring-your-own or an add-on sandwich set.

Meet Cousin Flippa (Shawn Mokuahi Garnett) is a standout part of the day.

Weather dependent tours can shift dates if conditions are rough.

A Small-Group Van Day That Actually Feels Like a Tour

This is an afternoon, about four hours, built for people who want to see a lot without spending the day wrestling traffic. The cap of 10 travelers matters. With a smaller group, you’re less rushed at photo stops, and it’s easier to ask questions without yelling over everyone’s audio.

You’ll get hotel pickup and drop-off (the tour also notes it’s near public transportation, which can be a nice backup if you’re staying nearby). Expect a tight loop of driving and a couple of focused moments on specific locations, with the guide keeping things moving and on-theme.

If you’re booking for a popular week, plan ahead. This one is often reserved around 77 days in advance, which tells me it’s not a last-minute-only kind of activity.

How the Schedule Works: Diamond Head First, Then the McGarrett Moment

The day opens with Diamond Head State Monument, which is included and limited to about 15 minutes. That time is short by design. Diamond Head is a viewpoint location, so you’re going for the postcard view and the show-tied surroundings, not for a full hike.

After that, the heart of the tour is the time at McGarrett’s House. This is where the show fantasy becomes a real-world visit: you’re hosted, you eat, and you meet Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa). Lunch is also when the group tends to slow down a bit, which is great if you want photos and conversation without sprinting between spots.

One practical note: the time you get for specific photo moments at the property can vary based on what’s happening there that day. I’d treat the meal and meet-and-greet as the core commitment, and keep a little flexibility in your expectations for any one iconic shot.

Diamond Head State Monument: Short Stop, Big Payoff

Diamond Head is one of those places where even a brief stop can feel like a highlight. With only about 15 minutes, you’ll want to be ready to move quickly once you arrive. This is not the time for a slow look-through every angle.

What makes the stop worth it is the setting. You’re in a high-visibility part of Honolulu, with the kind of scenery that makes you understand why filmmakers keep coming back here. Even if you’re not chasing a specific scene, it gives you a strong sense of place early in the tour.

Bring your basics: water, hat, sunscreen. You’ll have bottled water on board, but Hawaii sun can turn “quick stop” into “why didn’t I wear sunscreen?” fast.

McGarrett’s House: Lunch, Photos, and Cousin Flippa

If Hawaii Five-0 is your thing, this is the moment you planned for. The tour includes lunch at McGarrett’s House and a meet-and-greet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett. The house visit is the part that feels most personal, because you’re not just learning trivia. You’re in a private-home setting connected to the show’s identity.

Your lunch options, and how to plan them

Lunch works like this: it’s an optional meal experience at the house. You can bring your own, or you can choose the provided lunch add-on for $13.50 per person. If you opt for the add-on, your sandwich choices are:

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

Either way, it’s built to keep you fed during the afternoon loop. Either you arrive with your own plan, or you trust the provided sandwich service and enjoy the sit-down time while the cast member is there.

Why this lunch stop is more valuable than it sounds

A meal on-location does two things well. First, it turns the stop into a longer pause, which means better photo pacing. Second, it encourages conversation. When a cast member like Shawn is there, you’re not limited to a single quick greeting. You can ask questions, swap show stories, and actually enjoy the human side of filming in Hawai‘i.

I like that the tour keeps it grounded. Yes, it’s TV-famous. But it’s still a normal hospitality moment, hosted in a real neighborhood setting.

Filming Locations Beyond the House: How to Think About the Driving Stops

McGarrett’s House is the headline, but the day also includes visiting filming locations from Hawaii Five-0. That likely means more than one recognizable spot on the route, plus planned photo stops.

Here’s how I’d make this part work for you. When you get on the van, pay attention early. The guide’s job is to link the dots between what you see outside and what you remember from the show. If you jump in late or stay heads-down on your phone, you miss that “oh, I see it” moment.

Also, plan your photo strategy:

• Keep your phone charged before pickup.
• Don’t count on being able to get out for every single angle.
• Be ready to move fast when the guide says photo time.

One downside that can be worth knowing: the tour is primarily built around the 2010 to 2020 reboot era of Hawaii Five-0. If your favorite is the original Jack Lord years, you may feel like you’re mostly visiting the newer show world. The staff can be friendly and welcoming, but the focus is still the modern series locations that are accessible today.

Who Runs the Day, and What That Means for Your Experience

This tour is led by a local guide, and you’ll also have a driver as part of the experience. From the variety of names attached to this kind of operation, you can expect a host-style guide, not just someone reading directions.

Some names that have shown up for this tour experience include Sean, Matt, Eric, and Suze. Guides like that tend to bring two skills: they know how to keep time tight in Honolulu traffic, and they know how to connect filming details to the scenery outside.

You’ll also get conversation-friendly energy from the cast member presence at the house. Shawn is the consistent highlight in the included programming.

Comfort, Snacks, and Practical Extras That Save Your Day

It’s not a luxury bus tour, and that’s part of the appeal. But it still gets the basics right. You’re provided with bottled water, soda/pop, and snacks during the drive.

This matters more than it sounds. When you’re doing photo stops and a longer sitting lunch, you’re better off not thinking about where to buy something every hour. It keeps the afternoon feeling light and easy.

Also, the tour uses mobile tickets, which cuts down on paperwork stress. You’re not juggling printouts.

Cost and Value: What $229 Gets You (and What It Doesn’t)

At $229 per person for about four hours, this is a TV-fan experience price. No question. The value depends on what you want most.

You are paying for:

• A guided connection to Hawaii Five-0 filming locations
• A stop at Diamond Head with admission included
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A lunch experience at McGarrett’s House, with the option to bring your own or add the sandwich set for $13.50
• Meet-and-greet time with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett

What you are not paying for is the choice to take the included-style lunch add-on. If you bring your own food, you can keep that portion lighter. But if you’re the type who wants the full house experience, plan for that add-on so you’re not surprised when you’re ready to order.

For fans, the math often feels fair. For non-fans, it can be harder to justify. If you don’t care about show locations, you may find you’d rather spend the afternoon doing your own Honolulu route, especially since the lunch is optional rather than automatically included as a full meal set for everyone.

Best Fit: Fans of the Reboot and People Who Like Small-Group Tours

This tour is strongest if you’re one of the following:

• A big fan of the 2010 to 2020 Hawaii Five-0 reboot
• Someone who likes photo stops, short guided storytelling, and a structured afternoon
• A traveler who wants small-group access and time for questions
• A couple or group celebrating a birthday or special trip where meeting a cast member feels meaningful

If you’re an original-series devotee who wants the Jack Lord era most, read this as a heads-up. The focus is on the reboot filming world that’s still recognizable and accessible today. The team can be warm, but the content direction is not built for original-series rewinds.

Families can also enjoy it. The property lunch moment and the meeting with Cousin Flippa can be the type of experience kids remember later, even if they are not die-hard fans. Still, this tour is about show culture, so your child will need enough interest to enjoy driving stops and photography pacing.

Should You Book Afternoon at McGarrett?

Book it if you want a guided way to experience Hawaii Five-0 locations in a way that feels personal, not rushed. The combination of Diamond Head, the McGarrett’s House lunch setting, and the meet-and-greet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett is exactly what makes this tour different from a generic city sightseeing loop.

Skip it or consider a different option if you’re focused on the original Jack Lord series, or if you feel strongly that a $229 price tag needs a longer stop list than a few high-impact moments. For the right fan, this is one of the most direct ways to step into the show’s Honolulu.

FAQ

How long is the Afternoon at McGarrett tour?

It runs about four hours (approx.).

What does the tour include besides the filming locations?

It includes a local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water, soda/pop, snacks, and an admission ticket for Diamond Head State Monument.

Is lunch included?

Lunch at McGarrett’s House is optional. You can bring your own, or you can add the provided lunch for $13.50 per person with sandwich choices.

Who do you meet during the tour?

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

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers, which keeps it more personal.

What if the weather is bad?

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

How flexible is cancellation?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, and cancellation cutoff times are based on the experience’s local time.