SUMMIT SUNSET AND STARGAZING TOUR

Experience the wonder and clarity of the Hawaiian night sky

5/5 (450 Reviews)

Amateur stargazers and experienced astronomers alike will be in awe as they spend the evening stargazing from the side of Mauna Kea. The visibility from Hawaiʻi’s tallest mountain is famous for its unmatched views of a clear night sky.

Due to the remote location of the island chain, and the elevation of Mauna Kea, glimpsing the galaxy from this location is an experience exclusive to the Big Island. No city lights to drown out the stars and a high altitude add together to make the night sky here dazzling in a way that needs to be seen. Whether viewing through the naked eye or using a powerful telescope, stargazing from Hawaiʻi Island’s Mauna Kea will leave you with an appreciation for the vastness of the universe and a look at the universe unlike any other.

Enjoy a delicious picnic dinner, then experience an incredible Kona sunset at Mauna Kea's summit, the Pacific's highest point. Once the sun sets, we then go back down to 9,000 feet to set up the 11” Celestron telescope to look at the stars. We'll partake in warm hot chocolate, traditional Hawaiian folklore, and guided or independent star gazing. Taking in the night sky from Mauna Kea will be nothing short of spectacular.

Starting At
$295 USD
Age
13 yrs+
Duration
7.5-hour
Location
Kona, Big Island, Hawaii

What's Included
- Enjoy convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off included in your experience
- Savor a picnic-style dinner with assorted teas, hot chocolate, and dessert
- Stay cozy with our provided warm wear, including hooded parkas and gloves
Special Instructions
- Remember to bring a reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, warm socks, leggings, long pants, and a sweatshirt or sweater
- Be aware that weather changes rapidly and summit access may close without warning
- Guests should be prepared for uneven or rocky terrain and potential freezing temperatures
- Not recommended for individuals with respiratory, circulatory, heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health due to high altitude
- Avoid visiting the summit within 24 hours after scuba diving to altitude concerns

From: $295^.00

BOOK YOUR TOURS

Choose Your Tour Style

7.5-Hour Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour From Kona Resorts

Starting at
$295^.00
per adult

Adults Ages 13 yrs+

$ 295^.00

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Having your accommodation information helps us provide directions, travel tips and can more easily contact you if there is a change in plans last minute.

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We'll pick you up from King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott.
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We'll pick you up from Kona Village Resort.
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We'll pick you up from Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
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We'll pick you up from Queens' Market Place (by The Yoga Barre)
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We'll pick you up from Waikoloa Plaza.
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We'll pick you up from Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station.
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Starting At: $0 USD
With taxes & fees: $323.03

Stargazing

The Stargazing component of our adventure depends on natural conditions. Although more than 90% of our trips have fine stargazing conditions; We do not guarantee the weather in any way.

Sunset and Stargazing Tour Features

Sunset and Stargazing Tour

Spend a memorable night gazing into a clear, starry sky with unbeatable visibility from Hawaiʻi’s tallest mountain. Watch the sun go down, and the stars come out from the pristine peaks of Mauna Kea. Unwind while glimpsing another golden sunset from the summit. As the evening sets in, guests will dine outdoors on a delicious warm meal. As the temperature lowers and the meal winds down, chat with other guests, or spend quality time with loved ones.

MAUNA KEA VOLCANO STARGAZING VOYAGE FROM HILO

Sunset from the Summit

Watch the sky turn orange and pink as the sun goes down and the dark slowly sets in. When the sun has completely set, stars will be at their best visibility, and locating constellations, planets and simply enjoying the view will be the experience of a lifetime. We will move down the mountain a little way to view the stars through 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.

Speedishuttle Private Oahu Transportation Half Way Through

Speedishuttle Private Oahu Transportation Custom Tailored Shuttle Service

Transportation Included

The last thing you want to worry about when on vacation is transportation. Getting around from your hotel to your tour location, dealing with parking, and having to drive yourself back after a long and exciting day are things a person just shouldn't have to deal with. So, don't! This tour includes transportation to and from your hotel, so you can focus on having fun!

Sunset and Stargazing Tour Details

Highlights

Telescope viewing option available
Cultural legends & constellation information shared by the guide
Sunset at the summit
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Meal included
1:14 guide-to-guest ratio
Unmatched Visibility
7-8 Hours of Adventure

Description

Spend a memorable evening gazing into a clear, starry night sky. The visibility from Hawaiʻi’s tallest mountain is unmatched, drawing both amateur star-gazers as well as trained scientists to view the heavens from the summit of Mauna Kea. Countless points of light pierce the black veil of the sky above you, painting a portrait of celestial beauty and rich cultural history. First, enjoy dinner as the sun sets on another Hawaiian day. Listen as your tour leader regales you with legends of Hawaiʻi’s ancient celestial navigators, mountaineers, and other historical adventures, pointing out their map of guiding constellations. Due to the island chain's remote location and Mauna Kea's elevation, glimpsing the galaxy from this location is an experience exclusive to the Big Island. Whether viewing through the naked eye or using the 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, stargazing from Mauna Kea will leave you with an appreciation of the vastness of the universe from this tiny island speck in the middle of the Pacific.

In total, the tour is between 7-8 hours. Must be 16 or older to participate.

Price & Availability

7.5-Hour Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour From Kona Resorts

AdultsAges 13 yrs+

$295^.00

Tour is approx. 7-8 hours. Travel time round-trip is approx. 3.5 hours from Waikoloa resorts
No children under 13

Itinerary

7 - 8 Hour Tour

Hotel Pickups: Begin between 1:55 PM - 2:40 PM (the start time of the tour may vary throughout the year to coincide with optimal sunset conditions.)
Travel to the summit: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes (from Waikoloa)
Sunset and Dinner with Cultural Storytelling: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
Stargazing: Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes
Transportation Back To Hotel

Food & Drink

Picnic style dinner, assorted teas, hot chocolate, and dessert.

Additional Information

Gear Provided: We provide warm wear, including hooded parkas and gloves.
What to Bring & Wear: Reusable water bottle, Closed-toe shoes, Warm Socks and/or leggings, long pants, and a sweatshirt or sweater. Winter parkas and gloves are provided.
Restrictions: Weather changes can occur quickly, and the access road to the summit can close without warning; therefore we cannot guarantee access to the summit or favorable conditions. Guests should be able to walk on uneven or rocky terrain. The temperature can dip below freezing when at high elevations on the mountain. We sometimes encounter cold, wet, or muddy conditions. Due to the high altitude, this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health.f you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.

Cancellation

A full refund is available up to 72 hours prior to your tour starting. After that time, there will be no refunds for no-shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Children Allowed To Attend?

Must be 13 years or older to come on this tour.
Do I Need To Bring Binoculars?

Bringing binoculars is optional. You will be given an opportunity to use the 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
How Should I Dress For The Tour?

Bringing warm clothes including a jacket, and wearing pants and closed-toed shoes is highly recommended.
How Long Is The Tour?

The tour is between 7-8 hours in total.

Where Do You Pick Up And Drop Off?

Pick up and drop off is available from various hotels. Please consult with the tour directly for specific information.