Afternoon at McGarret – Hawaii 5-0 TV Tour

You can’t help but feel like you’re stepping into Hawaii Five-0. This Afternoon at McGarrett tour pairs real O‘ahu filming spots with time at McGarrett’s House, plus a meet-and-greet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa). It’s the kind of outing where the scenery is great, but the TV-show details keep your eyes busy.

Two things I really like: you get hotel pickup and drop-off plus an organized small-group van ride, and lunch happens inside the McGarrett’s House experience with cast member time. One possible drawback to plan around: the tour is mainly geared toward the 2010–2020 reboot era, so die-hard Jack Lord original-series fans may not feel they’re seeing enough from 1968–1980.

Key reasons this tour works so well

• Small group (max 10 travelers) keeps the day relaxed and question-friendly.
• Meet-and-greet with Cousin Flippa (Shawn Mokuahi Garnett) turns lunch into the main event.
• McGarrett’s House access gives you that surreal, show-inspired photo moment at the water’s edge.
• Diamond Head State Monument stop includes admission and gives you a classic Honolulu viewpoint.
• Practical comforts: bottled water, soda/pop, snacks, and an air-conditioned van on a timed 4-hour schedule.
• Schedule can vary by what’s happening at the house (wedding setups can affect specific photo staging time).

A Honolulu afternoon that feels like show set + real-life O‘ahu

This isn’t just a drive-by-photo tour. The way the day is structured—short scenic stop, then McGarrett’s House lunch, then more filming-site sightseeing—keeps the energy focused. The cast interaction is also not tacked on at the end. It’s woven into the experience at the place fans care about most.

I also like that the tour doesn’t assume you’re a superfan who knows every episode. Guides build in context about Honolulu and the film world as they move you around. That means even if you’re not chasing every single frame from the show, you still come away with a better sense of why this island looks the way it does on TV.

And because the group caps at 10, you’re not fighting for attention in a crowd. You can actually ask questions and get answers, and you can linger a bit at the most photogenic spots without feeling like you’re being herded.

Price and value: what $229 buys you in the real world

At $229 per person for about 4 hours, you’re paying for three big things: access, time, and convenience.

First, you’re getting transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off, not just a meeting point. In Waikīkī and nearby areas, that alone can save you stress—especially in traffic and parking headaches.

Second, the day includes paid elements. Diamond Head State Monument has an admission ticket built in, and you’ll have snacks, bottled water, and soda/pop during the tour.

Third, you’re paying for the cast-facing piece. Meeting Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa) is the kind of experience you just can’t replicate on your own without insider contacts.

Now the one pricing wrinkle: lunch at McGarrett’s House is described as an optional lunch add-on. The sandwich choices are Beefy McGarrett, McGarrett Chicken, and Veggie McGarrett. If you want the lunch experience, plan on the $13.50 per person add-on; otherwise, you can bring your own. For fans, the lunch option tends to feel worth it because it’s tied to the setting and the cast time—not just a sandwich.

Getting picked up: small-group logistics that keep your afternoon smooth

This tour runs in a compact window—about 4 hours total—so it fits cleanly between other Honolulu plans. You also get a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English.

Pickup is part of the deal (hotel pickup and drop-off). That matters more than you might think. The difference between taking public transportation versus being collected and delivered is time, and time on O‘ahu is precious when the sun is high.

Also, the group size limit (max 10) keeps movement simple. You’ll likely be riding in a comfortable van, and the pacing tends to support real conversation rather than nonstop shouts from the driver.

One more practical note: the tour is described as near public transportation. If your hotel pickup isn’t your preferred starting point, you may still be able to reach the area easily—but pickup is clearly designed as the easiest option.

Diamond Head State Monument: a quick stop with big Honolulu payoff

The day starts with Diamond Head State Monument, including admission. The time here is short—about 15 minutes—which is exactly what you want on a tour day. This isn’t the “slow hike” version. It’s the “get your bearings fast” version.

What you’ll likely take away is the shape of Honolulu: crater-and-coast views, the sense of how close the city is to water, and why this part of O‘ahu is such a favorite film backdrop. Even with limited time, Diamond Head gives you visual context for the rest of the afternoon.

My advice: treat this as a photo-and-viewpoint stop. Bring sunscreen, water (you’ll have bottled water provided), and plan to move quickly if the group is scheduled to keep rolling.

Also, with a short stop, you’ll benefit from being ready when you arrive. People who show up late tend to feel rushed. People who’re ready tend to feel satisfied.

McGarrett’s House lunch: where the TV fantasy turns real

This is the star of the show. Lunch at McGarrett’s House is timed into the tour, and it’s hosted with cast member Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa).

You’ll choose from three sandwich options: the Beefy McGarrett, the McGarrett Chicken, or the Veggie McGarrett. If you decide not to do the lunch add-on, you can bring your own, but most fans do the lunch because it matches the experience level.

The vibe at McGarrett’s House is part home setting, part fan ritual. One of the standout details you should plan for is the photo moment connected to the show: seated and by the water’s edge chairs. That’s the kind of detail that makes the whole thing feel surreal in a good way.

One consideration: the house can be affected by events. If a wedding or other setup is scheduled, certain photo staging in the backyard might not look exactly like you pictured it. In that case, you’ll still get time to chat with Cousin Flippa, and the property visit should still feel special—but the exact chair-photo setup may be time-limited.

If you’re food-sensitive, pick the sandwich option that fits your needs ahead of time. The veggie option is there for a reason, and it’s nice not to have to scramble for substitutions during the tour.

Meet Cousin Flippa: the cast interaction you’re really paying for

Meeting Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa) is one of the main reasons people book this. And the best part is that the interaction is human, not scripted-from-a-distance.

What I’d watch for is how much time you get for conversation and photos. Since the tour is capped at 10, you’re not in a long lineup of strangers. That small group structure helps the cast member actually connect with you.

You should also know that other named hosts appear in the experience ecosystem depending on the date—people have mentioned hosts like Sean, Matt, Eric, and Suze. That’s a good sign: you’re likely getting more than just “transport and timestamps.” Guides and hosts are expected to explain what you’re seeing and connect it back to Honolulu and the TV production world.

If you’re the type who likes to ask questions—about how filming works, how locations get chosen, or what it was like during production—this is the moment to do it. The format gives you space to talk.

More filming locations after lunch: why the drive portion matters

After Diamond Head and lunch, the afternoon continues with additional filming-site stops. The exact number and locations can vary by routing, but the intent is consistent: you’ll see more places connected to the show and get guided explanations as you move around O‘ahu.

This driving portion is more than filler. It turns the islands into a set. Instead of reading about Honolulu later, you’re looking at the coastlines, neighborhoods, and sightlines that make the show’s look possible.

I like that the tour helps you notice patterns: how certain camera angles map to real streets, and how the same part of Honolulu can look different depending on time of day and weather. And because the guidance also covers Honolulu and the film industry, it gives context beyond just naming locations.

If you’re coming with someone who isn’t a hardcore fan, this section can still work. The scenery and the explanations about how Hawaii shows are made keep it interesting even if the episode names aren’t your thing.

Timing and photo expectations: how to avoid the most common disappointments

The biggest frustration with tours like this usually isn’t the filming sites—it’s expectations about timing. A schedule is a schedule, and when you’re visiting a private home setup, outside events can change what’s available.

So here’s how to keep this fun:

• Treat the chair-photo moment as a bonus, not a guarantee.
• If you arrive at a time when the backyard is set up for an event, plan for alternatives: photos from allowed angles, quick scenic shots nearby, and still making time for your chat with Cousin Flippa.
• When your group is moving, don’t fight the pace. The tour is designed to hit multiple highlights within a tight 4-hour window.

Also, because this experience relies on good weather, build in flexibility. Cloudy or rainy conditions can affect visibility and comfort, and the tour is described as weather-dependent.

Who should book this tour, and who might feel shortchanged

This tour is a clear match for:

• Hawaii Five-0 (2010–2020) fans who want to see filming locations in and around Honolulu
• Couples celebrating a birthday or special trip and wanting one memorable, story-based outing
• Families who like a guided day where the “cool factor” is built in without requiring a long hike

It may be less satisfying for:

• People whose favorite era is the original Jack Lord Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980). The focus is primarily on the later reboot period, so if you’re chasing specific original-series locations, you might feel like you’re missing that slice of the franchise.

One more thing: if you only want lunch, then $229 plus a lunch add-on can feel like overkill. But if you want the whole package—transport, filming-site context, Diamond Head admission, and the cast meet—then the pricing starts to make sense.

Practical tips so your afternoon goes smoothly

A few small moves make a noticeable difference on this kind of short tour.

• Bring sunscreen and sunglasses. You’ll be outside for at least Diamond Head and likely for portions around the house.
• Keep your camera ready, but don’t rush your cast conversation. Photos and conversation work best when you do both without turning it into a checklist.
• Choose your lunch sandwich option with confidence. Beefy McGarrett, McGarrett Chicken, or Veggie McGarrett are your set choices.
• If you have mobility concerns, remember this tour says most travelers can participate. Still, since you’re visiting viewpoints and a property setting, wear shoes you can trust.
• If you’re a first-time O‘ahu visitor, use this as a “get your bearings” day. Diamond Head plus guided show-site context gives you a fast mental map of Honolulu.

Should you book Afternoon at McGarrett?

If you’re a Hawaii Five-0 reboot fan and you want a guided Honolulu day with real filming-site stops plus lunch at McGarrett’s House, I think you’ll be happy you booked. The small group size, the cast meet with Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Cousin Flippa), and the inclusion of Diamond Head admission make it feel like a planned experience rather than a random sightseeing walk.

The main reason to hesitate is focus. If your heart is set on the original Jack Lord era, this tour’s emphasis on the 2010–2020 series may leave you wanting more.

My take: book it when you want one “TV-meets-Hawaii” afternoon that’s organized, photo-friendly, and built around a genuine interaction—not just a list of places to drive past.