Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Delight in the awe-inspiring sunset at the top of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific.
Your guide will share historic accounts of the Big Island. Stand amidst the world’s largest collection of research telescopes.
Two of the eight telescopes which took the first photos of the black hole are here.
Sip a hot beverage during your private star show and view planets with a professional telescope (Weather Permitting).
Your guide will take astrophotography photos of you with our camera and email them to you.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not allowed for travelers under 13 years old
Not allowed for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not allowed for pregnant travelers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Mauna Kea Summit
One of the best places to see the sunset and stargazing and it's also the highest mountain on earth. Comfortable 4X4 passenger van as transportation.Jackets and gloves provided to keep you warm. Experienced tour guide to talk about our history and show you our amazing night with a laser pointer. Get close to the stars with our professional Celestron telescope and get a nice photo with our DSLR camera.
Maunakea is a celebrated and storied place in the cultural traditions of Hawai'i. While it is the dwelling place of the goddess Poli'ahu it is also associated with the Hawaiian deities Lilinoe and Waiau. The summit was considered the realm of the gods and in ancient times was kapu (forbidden) to all but the highest chiefs and priests. Occasionally Hawaiian ali'i (royalty) would make the long trek to the top, the last royal visitor being Queen Emma in 1881 who led her companions on the arduous 6 hour journey to the top to see the summit and rejuvenate herself in sacred Lake Waiau. The White Mountain Legends of the Mountain - Poli´ahu While today Maunakea is home to 13 international observatories and recieves thousands of visitors every year it remains a sacred place for the people of Hawai'i. On the the fourth Saturday of every month MKVIS hosts community speakers who speak about Mauna O Wakea from a cultural perspective.
What‘s Included
Experienced tour guide
FREE night photo with our professional camera
Snacks and a hot beverage
Jackets and gloves to keep you warm
Transportation in a comfortable 4X4 van
Professional telescope (Weather Permitting)
Dinner (Travelers may bring their own)
Private Tour
Options
Waikoloa Starbucks Pick Up
Waikoloa Queens' Marketplace Starbucks
Starting point:
Starbucks, Beach Resort, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Hilo Naniloa Hotel Pick Up
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton “A” lot, near Crowns nightclub
Starting point:
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, 93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Kona Bank Of Hawaii Pick Up
Kona BOH Pick Up : Kona Commons shopping center Bank of Hawaii (across the lot from the Kona Target)
Starting point:
Bank of Hawaii, 74-5457 Makala Blvd Suite 102, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Reviews
1,671 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Spectacular sunset and...
Steven W,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Spectacular sunset and star gazing. Terrific, helpful guides. Great pictures (theirs not mine). Was pretty cold at the summit, but they provided warm jackets, so no need to pack that stuff.
Definitely the GOAT
Cindy P,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beyond all expectations! Rained all day and was still raining when we embarked on our adventure. Kella, our guide tried to reassure me that things would be OK as it was often clear on Mauana Kea when it was not clear in Hilo. The sunset was amazing! The amount of stars visible to the nakedness eye was shocking. The galaxy and nebulous we viewed through the telescope was spectacular. Kella was an excellent Guide and shared folklore and tales from Hawaiian culture which was quite the bonus! Tom's knowledge of the stars and sky were quite impressive! I want to go again and again. Don't hesitate book, worth every penny!!
Must do
Cassidy M,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00You absolutely MUST DO THIS! The sunset and stars were absolutely unreal and the guides were incredible and took beautiful pictures
Bucket list
Ann W,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved the warm jackets that the tour provided. It was cold and there was snow on the upper elevations.. the tour was very professional and well-coordinated. Stargazing was dazzling.
Once in a lifetime experience!
Stefanie S,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a once in a lifetime experience!! The stargazing was a bucket list item and it did not disappoint. Our guides were knowledge and taught us so much. Someone in our group had a medical issue and they handled it calmly and professionally. I’d absolutely recommend them and would trust them on any tour!
An event we will never forget.
Laura T,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was tremendous!! The sunset lasted so long and was beautiful! Our tour guys were sooo knowledgeable about Hilo, where we started the journey, they had so much information about the observatories on Mauna Kea, and when the stars came out, although she was not an astronomer, our guide had so much knowledge about the stars and the constellations. we could have spent more time on Mauna Kea, but we were really cold and we are from Chicago!
Highly recommend.
Janeen R,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed this stargazing, Mauna Kea tour. Bing drove us safely from/to Kona to meet up with Val and the rest of the group from Hilo. Val gave a fun, informative tour. She teamed up with Tay for the stargazing. They are an amazing team. My 14 year old grandson said this was his favorite part of our island experience.
One of the top 3 things to do on the Big Island
T7775BBjoycem,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! Val and Chris were awesome guides….very knowledgeable, approachable and friendly. Our shuttle driver, Alex, was also friendly and informative. Watching the sunset over the clouds on New Year’s Eve was surreal. We’ve been to the Big Island 8-9 times before and this was a first time exp for us. I was a bit worried as I’m normally prone to motion sickness but I had no issues. I read/followed some of the TripAdvisor tips/reviews which helped. Plus, the guides were hyper focused on safety and wellbeing which I was grateful for. This excursion is a must…definitely one of the top 3 things (Volcano National Park, Manta Ray Night Swim) to do on the BI.
Great way to see the top of Mauna Kea and stars
Heidi R,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour! Logan was a professional with wit and cheerfulness and great facts to share. Every step of the event was clearly explained and the experience was amazing!
Best experience and highly recommend
Stacie W,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was Valerie and she was attentive towards everyone and was very knowledgeable. Plus we had gloves, the cutest parkas, snacks, hot chocolate, photos. Amazing
From US$289.00
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Operated by Hawaii Island Holidays