Overview
Available languages
6 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
For an out-of-this-world experience, check out Maunakea Stellar Explorer from KapohoKine Adventures. This thrilling adventure is the only Big Island star tour to feature nighttime astronomical observing AND safe daytime solar viewing with all ages welcome! Our in-house stellar explorers are the best and most experienced in Hawaii with one having created the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center and operated it for a decade. Others on staff have written noted articles and reviews for well-known astronomy magazines and have worked at world-class observatories.
This tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit or Visitor Center out of deference to Native Hawaiian concerns.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Kailua-Kona
The adventure starts with dinner.
Saddle Road
Next, you’ll travel across Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of the tallest and most massive volcanoes on Earth. Your National Park Service trained guide will discuss the volcanology, geology, and history of these monstrous wonders, as well as providing in-depth narration on the various lava flows and flora and fauna that you’ll be passing by. Lastly, your guide will take you to one of our preferred locations on Mauna Kea for nighttime stargazing.
Options
Maunakea Stellar Explorer from Kona
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Bottled water
Driver/guide
Dinner
Jackets
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
107 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Stellar experience!
Letty M,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide Marcus made every effort to find a spot without clouds to see the sky and he was successful after 30 minutes of driving to different spots. Super knowledgeable of the constellations and stars. Great experience!
Another perspective of Hawaii
emilyrB4397PB,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a really nice experience. I believe my guide's name was Sam, and he was very professional and knowledgeable. After all the guests were picked up, we went for dinner at the Harbor House Restaurant. Before we went in, Sam pulled out the telescope, which had a sun filter, and we were able to have a look at the sun in the parking lot. I've never looked at the sun before, and it was pretty cool. You could even see the solar flares. After that we had dinner. I had the fish and chips. The fish was delicious (note that the portions are huge). Then we went down to the pier entrance of Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, the part where the beach is. We got to see several sea turtles coming in to eat, which was awesome. Then we went up to Mauna Kea. Our viewing spot was 7000 feet up. We stopped at an overlook and watched the sun set. It was beautiful. We had some time before the sky got dark enough to see stars, so we drove up the road for a bathroom break. After we returned, Sam set up the telescope. Keep in mind that while this is a really good telescope, it's not the Hubble. It will let you get a closer look at celestial objects, but you're not going to be able to see the clouds on Jupiter or anything like that. We had a look at the moon, several types of stars, Venus, Jupiter, and a distant galaxy. Sam provided tons of information about the stars and also about wayfinding and indigenous navigation techniques. He also showed us all the constellations visible using a laser. Hawaii is the only place in the US where the Southern Cross is visible, so seeing that was pretty cool. I also liked being up on the mountain. It was dark, the air was fresh, and it was absolutely quiet. Halfway through the stargazing, we had a break for hot drinks. We were each also given a small Milky Way bar, right on par with the theme of the evening, which was a nice touch. It was a pleasant and relaxing evening, and a way to see Hawaii from a different perspective.
Great stargazing experience!
Natalya N,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Marcus was an excellent guy who really kept us entertained throughout the entire tour. Very knowledgeable about stargazing and what you could see. The set up was nice and we had a good view all session long so overall thumbs up very good job done. Parkers and hot coco was added bonus as it got chilly. Definitely would recommend this tour! Thank you!
Not worth the money
Susan F,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00This trip isn't worth the money--it included 1.5 hours of picking up travelers, 1 hour of a dinner not worth eating and 2.5 hours trying to find stars to gaze on the Saddle Road--could do without! Driver was the only highlight.
See the heavens in Kona with Sam
Tourist55578796111,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had a terrific time. Sam is so eloquent and informative that we felt we had taken a college astronomy course. Highly recommend!!
Find another activity. This is a waste of money.
Susan H,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00In short, this is a scam. Because of the rain, we couldn't even go up the mountain, so we gathered at 3:30 PM for a hamburger, which was all we had for this activity. The tour guide also asked the company to refund our money, but they refused. We paid a total of $1,033 for our family of four, but received nothing back. We even disputed the $750 refund with our credit card company, but they said it couldn't be refunded because we received the service. If you're willing to endure all this and still choose this activity, then that's your decision.
TOTAL SCAM, AVOID THEM!!!!
Q4157IBmagdak,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM!!!! THEY WILL SCAM YOU BE CAREFUL! !!!AVOID THEM!!! I booked this excursion with them and it was supposed to start at 15:00 and they told me that they will pick me up from the hotel at 16:20 and they literally sent me an email canceling my booking at 15:45 , so just 35min before they were supposed to pick me up. I tried calling them from my number when I saw their email and they didn’t answer, but after I called them from my mom’s phone they answered immediately and when I asked what happened they took like a few seconds to think of an answer and after that they told me that the car broke down, probably a total lie. They ruined my whole day since I stayed at the hotel the whole time in order to be ready to go on this tour and not to mention the fact that any other excursion to Mauna Kea was sold out everywhere for the period I was staying in Big Island so I ended not going. I also want to mention that I booked the excursion with them about 2/3 weeks in advance. I would advise you to avoid them and do not book anything with them, they ARE TOTAL SCAMMERS!!!! Hopefully I will get my money back.
Amazing Star Tour
Kathleen P,Aug 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a beautiful experience with a very knowledgeable guide. Sam was great. A really great experience.
Absolutely Stunning!
christopherdG9781GM,May 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Mauna Kea Star Tour was an absolutely amazing and beautiful experience! Our guide, Marcus, was extremely helpful and very knowledgeable on all things space related as well as Hawaiian history and culture! He made sure that all of the participants had a great experience and answered everyone's questions while providing tons of valuable knowledge. This is absolutely an unforgettable experience for my wife and I!
Star and knowledge
Betty E,Feb 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We really enjoyed the star watching trip. The dinner before was at a restaurant we had not tried before. Food and service were very good. Our guide Marcus was very knowledgeable about stars, volcanoes, Hawaii in general... We were able to view and learn a lot about the stars, planets and galaxies. Great time, even if we only went up to about 7000 foot, which was fine with us!
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Operated by Kapohokine Adventures