Turning TV locations into real streets feels weirdly great. This 4-hour Afternoon at McGarrett tour is built for Hawaii Five-0 fans, with hotel pickup, a small group (max 10), and a visit to McGarrett’s House where you can meet Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa). I especially like that you get both the on-the-ground filming locations and the lunch hangout, with snacks, bottled water, and soda included to keep things easy.

The main thing to think about is focus: this outing centers on the 2010–2020 reboot era, so hardcore fans of the original Jack Lord series might feel shortchanged.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Meet Cousin Flippa (Shawn Mokuahi Garnett) at McGarrett’s House during lunch
• Small group of up to 10 means more time for questions and photo stops
• Diamond Head State Monument stop with admission included
• Hotel pickup and drop-off, plus bottled water, soda, and snacks during the ride
• Lunch is optional (sandwich choices like The Beefy McGarrett and The Veggie McGarrett)

From Honolulu Pickup to TV-Like Stops in 4 Hours

The biggest advantage of this tour is how tight it feels. You’re in Honolulu, but you’re not doing a full-day island marathon. With about four hours on the clock, you can fit this into a first visit without sacrificing the rest of your trip.

Pickup is offered, so you avoid the puzzle of parking and ride-hailing. And because the group is capped at 10 travelers, the day doesn’t turn into a busload shuffle. In plain terms: you’ll get more “let’s pull over for one more picture” moments, and the guide can actually talk to the group instead of shouting over everyone.

This is also an English-language tour, which matters if you’re traveling with anyone who prefers not to translate in their head. Add in bottled water, soda/pop, and snacks, and the ride part won’t feel like a hunger-bait wait.

Diamond Head Stop: Short Visit, Included Entry

You start with a stop at Diamond Head State Monument, and the admission ticket is included. The time set aside is about 15 minutes, which tells you the intent of this stop: it’s not about a full hike. It’s about getting the view and the location connection quickly.

Here’s the smart way to think about it. A 15-minute stop can be perfect if you want:

• a classic Diamond Head perspective for photos,
• a brief stretch-and-breathe moment before lunch,
• and context for how the show used recognizable O‘ahu backdrops.

If you’re the type who wants a long climb, you might wish the schedule gave more time. But for this specific kind of fan tour, it’s a reasonable trade: more time is reserved for McGarrett’s House and the filming-site stops that most people came for.

McGarrett’s House Lunch: Where the Show Becomes Real

Lunch is the heart of the experience, and it happens at McGarrett’s House. You’re not just eating in a public restaurant and moving on. This is a private home setting associated with the show, and you get to experience it as part of the tour program.

The meet-and-greet is with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett, known on the show as Cousin Flippa. Multiple guests mention that Shawn is friendly and easy to talk with, and the lunch feels like more than a quick photo moment. That’s a big deal because it’s the difference between “we posed, thanks” and actual conversation about filming and what it was like.

What lunch includes (and what’s optional)

Lunch is optional in the sense that you can bring your own, but there’s also an available sandwich option you can purchase for $13.50 per person. Sandwich choices listed for the McGarrett’s House meal are:

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

From a value standpoint, this optional lunch is what makes the ticket feel less like a sightseeing-only outing and more like an experience. Even if you’re not ordering, you still get the important part: access to the home setting and the cast interaction.

One practical note: some schedules can be affected by special events at the property. In at least one case, a wedding setup reduced photo access to the iconic outdoor chair area. If a perfect photo moment is your top priority, I’d take that into account and stay flexible once you arrive.

Meet Cousin Flippa: More Than a Quick Hello

If you’re coming for one thing, make it this. Cousin Flippa (Shawn Mokuahi Garnett) isn’t there as a silent stop on a checklist. The day is set up so you can meet him during the lunch timeframe, take photos, and have a real conversation.

What I like about this structure is it gives you time. In many TV-location tours, you get a photo and a goodbye because everyone is racing back to the next stop. Here, lunch slows things down, which helps the meet-and-greet feel personal.

You might also get more than just one cast connection depending on the day. Some guests report meeting other characters such as Dennis (Duke), and hearing stories from the people connected to the show’s world. Just understand that extra meet-and-greet moments aren’t guaranteed in the data you have, so focus on Shawn as the core interaction.

Driving Between Filming Sites: Photo Time With Context

After Diamond Head and lunch, the tour continues with stops around O‘ahu tied to the series. What makes this more valuable than a simple photo drive is the narration. Guides are describing what you’re seeing and tying it back to the show’s use of real neighborhoods and landmarks.

From the feedback, the best days are the ones where the guide keeps the story going. When the commentary is strong, you stop noticing you’re just riding in a van and start feeling like you’re getting the “how it all fits together” version of Honolulu.

Also, you get multiple chances to take photos. Guests call out photo opportunities tied to the house setting (including the well-known chair area) and additional scenic pull-offs. If you like “I want the shot the show taught me to recognize,” this is one of those tours where you’ll actually have the time to try.

A note on what kind of Five-0 fan this serves

This tour is geared toward the 2010–2020 reboot. That shows up in the locations and the framing of the experience. If you grew up watching the original Jack Lord series and you’re hoping for that specific era’s most iconic spots, this might feel like it’s leaning toward what’s still accessible and recognizable today.

Price and Value: Is $229 Worth It?

At $229 per person for about four hours, you’re paying for three things at once:

1. transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off,
2. a curated set of filming-location stops (not just one location),
3. and the main-ticket feature: lunch at McGarrett’s House plus a meet-and-greet with Shawn.

Also, the basics are covered: bottled water, soda/pop, and snacks are included. That matters because it keeps the day from turning into surprise add-ons mid-ride.

Where cost sensitivity comes in is lunch. If you add the optional sandwich meal, you’re paying extra for that part of the experience. If you already know you’ll eat before the tour or you’re on a strict budget, bringing your own food can reduce the sting. But if you’re paying for the McGarrett’s House setting, most fans will probably want the full lunch component because it anchors the cast meeting and the atmosphere.

Small group size (max 10) also supports value. You’re not competing with 40 people for the same photo angle or waiting for the van while the whole group tries to squeeze in.

The one watch-out: several reviews question whether the tour felt “fully polished” or whether commentary sometimes repeats itself without enough backstory. That’s not guaranteed, but it’s a reminder to set your expectations: this is an experience centered on access and meeting the cast, not a museum-grade production.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour is a great fit if:

• you’re a Hawaii Five-0 reboot fan and want the locations to feel real,
• meeting Cousin Flippa (Shawn Mokuahi Garnett) is a bucket-list item,
• you like small groups and don’t want to spend your day rushing between stops,
• you’re traveling with someone who enjoys TV trivia but also wants scenic O‘ahu time.

You might think twice if:

• you’re mainly a fan of the original Jack Lord era and want that specific vibe and those exact locations,
• you hate tours where some parts feel more casual than theatrical,
• you need long time at Diamond Head, since the stop is short by design.

And there’s a bonus category: if you’re not a diehard fan, you’ll still enjoy the day if you like recognizing places, taking photos, and getting local context from the guide. The scenic stops and the house visit can carry the experience even without total fandom.

Practical Tips to Get a Better Day

Keep these small ideas in your pocket:

Go for photos early in the lunch window. If there’s any property event affecting certain outdoor areas (like chair access), the earlier you plan your shots, the less you’ll stress.

Bring your own food if you want to control costs. Lunch is optional. If you’d rather put your money into the experience rather than the sandwich, you can still do the McGarrett’s House portion.

Wear photo-friendly clothes and comfortable shoes. Even if you’re only stopping briefly at locations, you’ll be standing, walking a bit, and repositioning for shots.

Ask your guide direct questions. With a max group size of 10, you’ll get a real back-and-forth, especially around filming locations and how the show used O‘ahu.

Assume the day needs good weather. The tour requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Should You Book the Afternoon at McGarrett Tour?

If you’re a Five-0 reboot fan, I’d book it. The ticket isn’t just for scenery; it’s for the combo of McGarrett’s House access and a lunch-time meet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett as Cousin Flippa. That’s the kind of thing you can’t recreate on your own, and the small group format makes it feel more personal than most “sites and photos” tours.

If you’re an original Jack Lord–era purist, treat it as a partial match. You might still have a memorable day, but your expectations should align with a tour that leans toward the later series locations that are still recognizable and accessible now.

If your priority is comfort and simplicity, the pickup, included snacks, and tight 4-hour timing make this a low-friction Honolulu add-on. And if you want the day to feel like Honolulu plus TV-world context, this is one of the best ways to do it without locking yourself into an all-day schedule.

FAQ

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

It runs for about 4 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $229.00 per person.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Pickup is offered, and the tour includes travel with hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is lunch included?

Lunch at McGarrett’s House is optional. You can choose the lunch add-on for $13.50 per person with sandwich options, or bring your own.

What’s the Diamond Head portion like?

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

Who do you meet during the tour?

You meet a cast member during lunch at McGarrett’s House. The named cast member is Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa).

What food and drinks are included besides lunch?

Bottled water, soda/pop, and snacks are included.

What group size should I expect?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What happens if weather is bad?

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