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 worldâs 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.
Whatâs 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
Hilo Naniloa Hotel Pick Up
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton âAâ lot, near Crowns nightclub Starting point: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, 93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Waikoloa Starbucks Pick Up
Waikoloa Queens' Marketplace Starbucks Starting point: Starbucks, Beach Resort, 69-201 WaikĹloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, 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
1,768 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The experience ever in my life!
KAZUO T,May 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was our top priority trip in big island. We had the BEST TIMEđ AKI & JOHN were very kind & knowledgeable. We learned a lot. The sunset at the sumit & stargazing experience were the lifetime experience. Absolutely spectacular! Thank youđđââď¸
A 5 Star Mauna Kea Trip
Rohit S,May 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Had a great time- one of the best star gazing experiences we have had on a guided tour. Our guides Tay and Akki were very pleasant and informative. Thanks for giving us a awesome trip!
Worth the trip!
hovarterj98,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.0010/10 experience going on this and would highly recommend. We had a group of a dozen people, and it was nice not having to drive up the steep mountain. We enjoyed the sunset at the summit, and the pictures we took came out great. We were also able to do some stargazing.
Tay-he was a great tour guide!! Very very knowledgeable in the stars and the history of Hawaiian culture about the stars
Juli P,May 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Get prepared for the altitude changes. Pack water and snacks. Warm clothes to include with their packing. Allow enough time to return to the ship. If itâs an excursion off their ship.
Excellent!
Frances F,May 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent! My driver and guide, John, was great. And he played the perfect mix of music for the excursion!
A Journey Through Time and Space with the Amazing Kyla & Mr. Tay
Tianmeng Z,May 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Still dreaming about last nightâs tour! Mauna Kea provided a once-in-a-lifetime sunset and the most unbelievably amazing stargazing Iâve ever seen. This was my first time ever looking through an actual telescope, and it was mind-blowing! We had two incredible guides (stars âď¸) who truly made the night. Kyla (her Hawaiian name means 'Peacemaker'!) was so passionate while sharing the cultural stories and legends of the mountain - it added such a deep, welcome meaning to the experience. And Mr. Tay was funny as hell while teaching us the astronomy side of things! The mix of science, storytelling, and humor was the perfect combination. 10/10!
Amazing, incredible, and informative. Definitely a must do tour.
Alan N,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such incredible views of the stars and constellations.John conveyed very interesting information on the way to Mauna Kea and then while at the summit. Such interesting information about the stars and constellations. And Chris tied that information to how the Polynesians used the stars to navigate. Both were excellent guides.
Awesome experience! Must do again!
Amy J,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience. If I ever get to do this again and Chris Baker is available, I will request him.
cold, no dinner like the...
adam e,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00cold, no dinner like the excursion says just snacks, great crew, if u have a 4x4 do it yourself if u can will save you $
Unique experience
triciabU3001HG,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We met at the Kona pick up spot (Bank of Hawaii/adjacent to Target) and the bus continued on to two more stops to pick up guests at other locations. The driver was super friendly, had a bunch of interesting knowledge and she had feel-good times playing during quiet times. Unfortunately, the AC wasnât working correctly, so it was a warm ride; but the stunning views of lava fields, mountains, clouds and even cute groups of goats soon had me forgetting about the heat. The driver made sure to check in with everyone about bathroom stops, and she was more than happy to make an extra stop for our comfort. (I forget her name đŹ) Part way up the mountain everyone hops into other busses (ones with enough power to traverse the mountain!) and the new drivers/tour guides give you more info. At some point you stop at the welcome center and acclimate for half hour. There are bathrooms, a small gift shop and an info room with all sorts of facts about MaunaKea. You watch the sunset from the summit, with photo ops holding a MaunaKea sign, the guides happy to take photos for you. Then you go down a little bit (you stop at these port-a-potties, but no guarantees to toilet paper, so bring some tissues!) and by the time you get to the stargazing spot itâs very dark. Traverse with care while the guides get the telescope and drink/snack station set up. (Earlier we all got bags with snacks and cups with packets of hot cocoa mix- they also have cups of instant oatmeal.) Long coats and gloves are offered, and most people will find them necessary. Everyone gets a turn looking through the telescope for each of the unique features the guides find in the sky, and all get photos taken (with a link to download load them). The guides will point things out with a laser pointer, but it can be difficult to see the laser depending on where youâre standing and the moonâs glow. The ride back is bumpy but warm, and you get dropped off to return to your original bus for the ride back to your pick up location. The guides who take you to the sunset and stargazing will split their tips, but make sure to save some for the other driver who does the bulk of the taxiing! It was a super fun experience and we will never forget it!
From US$289.00
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Operated by Hawaii Island Holidays