Behind the Scenes on Oʻahu: A Hawaii Five-0 Filming Locations Tour

HONOLULU CITY TOUR FIELD GUIDE

Behind the Scenes on Oʻahu: A Hawaii Five-0 Filming Locations Tour

A four-hour, locally guided drive around Honolulu and greater Oʻahu that visits the show’s most recognizable filming locations and delivers insider stories for fans.

Behind the Scenes on Oʻahu: A Hawaii Five-0 Filming Locations Tour.

Duration
4 Hours
Location
Honolulu
Operator
Secret Hawaii Tours
Category
City Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

The Hawaii Five-0 Filming Locations Tour traces the real-world settings that made the long-running series feel cinematic — from the stately façade of Five-0 headquarters to oceanfront homes, cliffside lookouts and hidden coastal pullouts. Guided by locals with long ties to the production, the route mixes drive-bys, short walks and on-location stories that stitch the show back into the landscape of Oʻahu.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE ICONS

McGarrett’s House, Five-0 Headquarters and Royal Landmarks

Drive past McGarrett’s oceanfront residence (the Bayer Estate) for the classic photo stop, pose by Aliʻiōlani Hale where the show staged Five-0 HQ, and take in ʻIolani Palace and the King Kamehameha statue — sites that anchor the series’ most recognizable city scenes.

THE LANDSCAPE

Cinematic Lookouts and Coastal Settings

The tour threads scenic stops such as Tantalus Lookout, coastal pullouts and valley areas used for chase and action sequences — including Kualoa Ranch when routing permits — showing how Oʻahu’s topography became a recurring character on the show.

THE INSIDER VIEW

Studio Backlots and On-Set Stories

Visit the Hawaiʻi Film Studio from the outside to see where sets and soundstages supported ten seasons of production, enjoy local snacks en route, and — when available — meet Shawn “Cousin Flippa” Garnett for first-hand casting stories and behind-the-scenes trivia.

What the day feels like

What the drive feels like

Over roughly four hours you’ll roll across Waikīkī and beyond, alternating window seats for drive-by landmarks with short on-foot stops and a snack break. Guides layer episode references and production anecdotes onto each location so familiar scenes resolve into real addresses, real buildings and the island landscapes that hosted them.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this tour suits — and who should consider alternatives.

1
Five-0 Fans & TV BuffsA direct match: the tour visits more filming sites than typical sightseeing drives and layers episode trivia and production stories ideal for fans.
2
Sightseers & PhotographersGood fit for travelers who want landmark photos and coastal vistas; most stops are drive-bys or short walks to viewpoints.
3
Travelers with Limited MobilityNot ideal for guests who cannot manage short walks or transfer in and out of a vehicle easily, since some stops require brief on-foot access.
4
Families with Young ChildrenGenerally suitable, but families should plan for a mix of driving and short walks and check availability of any meet-and-greet elements in advance.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Duration

The experience runs roughly four hours; meeting logistics are organized from Waikīkī hotel pickup points.

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes for short walks, light jacket or rain gear, sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses), camera or smartphone, and cash or card for optional purchases and snack stops.

On-the-Day Logistics

Most Waikīkī hotels serve as meeting locations for pickups; expect a mix of drive-bys and brief stops with local narration and a snack or lunch stop included in the flow.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the tour?

About four hours.

Where does the tour start?

Pickups are organized from most Waikīkī hotels.

Will I get to meet anyone from the show?

Guests may meet Shawn “Cousin Flippa” Garnett in person when he is available; this meeting is subject to availability.

Do we go inside sets or studios?

You get an exterior look at Hawaiʻi Film Studio and drive-bys of production sites; the tour focuses on on-location filming spots and behind-the-scenes stories rather than studio interior access.

Is there food included?

The tour includes a local snack stop and a memorable lunch at McGarrett’s House as part of the itinerary.

Which locations will we see?

Stops include McGarrett’s House (drive-by), Aliʻiōlani Hale (Five-0 Headquarters), ʻIolani Palace, Chinatown, Magic Island, Pali Lookout, Māunalua Bay, Coconut Island and, depending on the routing, valley areas at Kualoa Ranch.