Can I Bring My Own Telescope/Binoculars/Stargazing Tools?
If the tool is larger than binoculars, please contact the company directly. State-of-the-art telescope viewing is included.
EXPLORE THE GEOLOGICAL WONDERS OF MAUNAKEA AND VIEW THE STARS
- Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii
- Kona, Big Island, Hawaii
More than just a stargazing tour, this trip to the skies above Maunakea will be a journey you will remember forever. Maunakea volcano, the tallest mountain on Earth from sea floor to peak, offers a stunning view of outer space unlike any other. From the slopes of the mountain, both amateur and professional astronomers alike can enjoy a light-free view of the sky above the cloud line.
This prime location, coupled with the powerful lens of a scientific-grade telescope will easily transport you to far-off galaxies. Nothing beats a day’s end spent stargazing whilst sipping on warm cocoa or a hot brew of Kona coffee.
Maunakea Stargazing Tour Features
Saddle Road Sightseeing
Aptly name to reflect the road’s location between two rising volcanoes, Maunakea and Mauna Loa, the famed road offers travelers a view of both volcanic mountains and an understanding of just how grand these two geological wonders are.
Big Islandʻs Best Stargazing
Peek into the heavens through a Dobsonian mounted telescope for a close-up look or simply gaze at star clusters and constellations through the naked eye. You may see the Seven Sisters, Saturn’s Rings, and other perennial and seasonal gaseous glows. Your knowledgeable guide will narrate your stargazing, pointing out the highlights and answering questions.
Daytime Stargazing
Stargazing during the day is possible! Remember – the sun is a star. View the day-time sky safely through a Coronado SolarMax 60 hydrogen-alpha solar telescope from the slopes of the coffee farm. See the sun and its surface including sunspots, solar flares, and prominences.
Maunakea Stargazing Tour Details
Elements
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Narrated Saddle Road sightseeing drive
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Narrated stargazing with scientific-level telescope
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Hot Chocolate/ Kona Coffee/ Tea & Locally baked dessert
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Pickup & Return To Hotels In Kona/ Hilo
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Picnic Style Dinner – Sandwich & Salad
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little light pollution to block the view
Insight
We offer convenient hotel pickups in Kona and Kohala, setting off on a scenic journey filled with breathtaking sights, fascinating stops, and an unforgettable stargazing experience. Along the way, guests will enjoy a picnic-style dinner with stunning views before using our telescopes to explore the wonders of the night sky.
For tours departing from Kona, we begin with a drive to a spectacular overlook where guests can admire sweeping coastal and mountain views. Here, you’ll have the chance to observe the sun through a solar telescope while sipping warm drinks. As the sky transforms with vibrant hues, enjoy a delicious deli-style dinner in this picturesque setting. Our adventure then continues along Saddle Road to a premier stargazing location, where professional telescopes reveal distant galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. To ensure your comfort, we provide warm drinks and jackets as you take in the celestial sights.
Guests joining us from Hilo will begin their tour around 3:15 PM with a scenic drive through historic Hilo town, leading to a visit to the majestic Rainbow Falls. We’ll then explore the fascinating Kaumana Caves before pausing for a picnic-style dinner featuring fresh sandwiches or salads. As the evening unfolds, you’ll have the opportunity to view the sun through our solar telescope while soaking in the surrounding beauty. Our journey then ascends Saddle Road, passing between the towering peaks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, with your guide pointing out striking landscapes along the way. As night falls, we arrive at a prime stargazing site where our telescopes unlock the mysteries of the cosmos. To keep you cozy, we provide hot drinks and a light dessert before returning to Hilo.
*With due respect to Native Hawaiian concerns, this tour doesn't visit the summit of Maunakea.
Cost & Schedule
7-Hour Stargazing Tour With Dinner From Hilo Hotels
| AdultsAges 13 yrs+ | $229.90 |
| ChildrenAges 0-12 yrs | $224.40 |
6-Hour Stargazing Tour With Dinner From Kona Resorts
| AdultsAges 13 yrs+ | $251.90 |
| ChildrenAges 0-12 yrs | $246.40 |
Departure & Return
- Leave From Hilo at 3:30 pm
- Leave from Kona at 3 pm
* Pickup and return times will vary greatly over the year. Your guide will be in touch prior to the tour.
Meals
On the slopes of Mauna Kea, we will enjoy a picnic-style lunch at a location with incredible views of the sunset.
More hot beverage choices like hot chocolate and Kona coffee will be offered with your locally-baked dessert as you stargaze.
All food and beverage are included.
Guidance
Dress for cold temperatures and bring a jacket or sweater as the mountain top drops into the 40s each night. Additional warm jackets are provided.
You are welcome to bring your own binoculars; however, state-of-the-art telescope viewing is included.
Booking
There is a 72-hours cancellation policy. Any cancellations or no-shows within that time period will not be refunded. Outside of the 72-hours, a guest may change or cancel their tour at no fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Great Big Island Stargazing Tour
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- Five-Hour Tours
- Experienced Local Interpretive Guide
- AM departure times to avoid the heat
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- Open Daily
5:00 am to 9:00 pm, HST
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