Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

Badge of ExcellenceBig Island of Hawaii, USA

2 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

ATV 4WD UTV Scenic Guided Tour near Waipio Valley and Kona

from $169.00

Per group

Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

Waterfall Rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls: 120 Foot Drop, 15 Minutes from Hilo

from $279.00

Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience on the Big Island

848

from $239.80

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Mauna Kea is home to the world's premier stargazing location. On this tour with an Analog-Astronaut and professional photographer guide, see the night sky like never before. Leave with stunning photos of your group with galaxies, stars, and constellations in the background. After your trip, your guide will send you a link to the photos.

Stargazing on the slopes of Mauna Kea
Analog-Astronaut to Professional photographer guide
See the night sky like never before
Receive your photos after the trip

What's Included

All activities
Professional photographer guide
Parka Jackets
Complimentary Medium Resolution Photos

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Optional Photo Upgrades Available

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Pu'u Huluhulu Cinder cone parking lot
Island of, HI, USA
Text us prior to your tour for an updated meeting spot. We might not be meeting at this location.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Mauna Kea

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Dress code: Wear pants and closed-toed shoes
Service animals allowed
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

Weather can reach 30F. We have parka jackets that have pockets and a hood, although that may not be enough for some
Not recommended for travelers with any mobility/ambulatory restrictions, back, heart and hearing problems or other serious medical conditions
Pregnant Travelers should discuss with their doctor before hand.
Not suitable for some senior citizens
Not recommended for chronic complainers ;)
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Bjorn_Q

Fun and knowledgeable guides, would highly recommend to anyone looking for a detailed explanation of the night sky.

Reviews

5.0

207 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 207 reviews

Fun and knowledgeable...

Bjorn_Q, Mar 2024

Fun and knowledgeable guides, would highly recommend to anyone looking for a detailed explanation of the night sky.

Massively overpriced

Ryan_J, Mar 2024

This massively overpriced tour is nothing you can’t do yourself for free. The “telescope” was a camera with a zoom lens. Mostly just a bunch of pointing out constellations with a laser pointer - something you can do with an app on your iPhone.

Amazing

Amy_C, Mar 2024

The whole experience was amazing! We really enjoyed the knowledge and humor of James. The whole experience was enhanced by the beautiful photographs and that we were able to get one of a kind photos. Thank you!

Don’t hesitate, book!

Christine_B, Mar 2024

James was phenomenal! We got cancelled from a different company and lucked out to get into this one instead. He is so knowledgeable and was creative finding a good location. The picture was so fun too…. Absolutely a Hawaii must-do!

Breathtaking views and knowledge from a friendly expert

Allison_V, Dec 2023

James has such phenomenal knowledge of astronomy, and it was cool to see the stars other phenomena zoomed in thanks to his camera technology. He was welcoming and truly passionate about his NASA knowledge. Great spot to see the heavens!

Life-changing Experience

Ken_M, Nov 2023

The amount of stars you can see during this experience was insane. You will not see more stars anywhere else. You can tell James loves what he does and has endless knowledge.

Big Island stargazing extravaganza with photos

Nathan_L, Nov 2023

James was a great resource of info during our stargazing trip and provided clear instructions of when and where to meet. The trip was educational, adventurous, safe, and visually stunning. James has an encyclopedic knowledge of the skies and his photography skills are outstanding. I’ve already recommended this trip to friends and family.

Amazing-sign up for this tour now!

Kim_S, Oct 2023

James finding galaxies and nebulas with his advanced photo gear was amazing. His perspective was so interesting. He’s so knowledge and easy to listen to. He took his time with taking pictures, answering questions. Saw more stars than we’ve ever seen before!

Great experience

JenniferBeth_G, Oct 2023

Great experience! A little rough that it was so late (especially 4 hour time difference) but worth it.

Stargazing

Marine_D, Oct 2023

It was a nice journey by night for stargazing and learn a little bit more about the stars. I saw my stars zodiac sign

Must do

Alicia_I, Sep 2023

What an incredible experience this was! We did not want to do an 8 hour stargazing tour and then I found James! James is knowledgeable and passionate about stars and it was wonderful to have a personal guide to point every thing out. He had a great camera and took the most beautiful photos I've ever seen. Very thankful for this experience, highly recommend if you want a brief stargazing tour!

Five stars are not enough!

Mark_T, Sep 2023

Five stars are not enough, by far my favorite tour of our trip to the Big Island. Awe-inspiring views of more stars, galaxies, nebulae, planets, constellation than you can imagine James is awesome! He has found an intersection of passions with the stars and photography. Highly knowledgeable, incredibly friendly, and very responsive to questions both before, during, and after the tour! The photographs taken during the trip are amazing! Highly recommend making this tour part of your big island visit! PS the parkas and blankets are essential, thanks for providing those!

Don’t Screw Up - Book NOW

Edward_Z, Sep 2023

Stop. Do NOT make the mistake of booking a six hour free crappy dinner trip to see the universe in its grandeur. James is a frigging analog astronaut and charming to boot. His knowledge level and sensitivity to the desires and curiosity of tourists makes this, by far, the best investment of time and money you can make in your astronomical aesthetic experience.

Life changing event of a stellar nature.

Brian_G, Aug 2023

James is a wealth of knowledge and as good of a listener as he is a speaker of all things in our visible universe. Yes, James chilled out way of imparting his knowledge leaves a memory that will stay with you. His ability to utilize the ability of his simple digital camera and extraordinary tracking tripod to take us millions of light-years away from earth along with providing the name of these distant neighbors. He explained what we were looking at while pointing it out with his laser beam of the stars. I learned more last night than I have learned in over 50 years of nerdhood. Only do this tour if you can drive back to your home with a blown mind. Bravo James!

Great tour and views of...

Jonathan_M, Jul 2023

Great tour and views of the night sky. Make sure you know the up to date meeting place as this changes depending on weather etc

Worth every penny! Beautiful skies and photography.

Dianne_J, Jul 2023

Dude! I can’t say enough to explain how great this tour was. Shane was extremely knowledgeable about the night sky, knows a few great and isolated places to go (ie…no crowds) and his photography skills were on point. My teenage boys love star gazing and we have gone out on several tours elsewhere but nothing compares to this. Worth every penny. But..bring gloves and hats…because he isn’t kidding when he tells you it’s cold. 😆

Amazing stargazing!

Kevin_N, Jun 2023

The amount of stars you see with this experience is overwhelming. You will not see more stars anywhere else. James was knowledgeable, friendly and provided a great experience. And the photos are once in a lifetime amazing. Remember to check the lunar calendar and go when the moon is new.

Spectacular

Audrey_C, Jun 2023

Truly spectacular. After a long drive up the mountain we were rewarded with a beautiful array of stars, constellations and planets. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable while telling us what we were looking at. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

Not worth it!

Margo_C, Jun 2023

Too expensive for what’s provided. Tourguide was boring and you can see same sky without a guide. We would not recommend to anyone.

Gob-smacking views and great guide

Allen_W, Jun 2023

James is an amazing guide with a true passion for what he does. He selected the perfect spot and time for us to view the night sky. He was entertaining and knowledgeable and made a breathtaking view so much more meaningful. Upon arrival our whole group was in awe of the night sky. Highly recommend this tour with James.

...