Hawaii’s GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

Overview

Available languages

German

Korean

Portuguese

Chinese

Japanese

English

Italian

French

Spanish

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

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Not recommended for travelers under 13 years old

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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)

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.

4 hours•Admission Included

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.

30 minutes•Admission Included

Options

Waikoloa Starbucks Pick Up

Waikoloa Queens' Marketplace Starbucks
Starting point:
Starbucks, Beach Resort, 69-201 Waikōloa 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

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

Reviews

4.82

1,496 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1345

Star gazing on mount mauna kea
Darren K,
Jun 19, 2025
- Viator
4.00
Its a great trip to the summit to see the sunset and the star gazing.But dont hold out hope for a spectacular photo with milky way and stars as the photo they produce is not that great.My 19 year old son took better quality pictures with his i phone
Well worth the $$$$! We...
Mary B,
Jun 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Well worth the $$$$! We were well taken care of. A breathtaking trip you won't want to miss with this company!!
Tay is the real GOAT
Michael B,
Jun 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00
I’m sure this experience is wonderful regardless, but if you get Tay as your guide you’re in for a real treat. Extremely punctual, kind, and knowledgeable. By far the nicest and most professional guide I have ever had. This includes many different tours on different Hawaiian islands, whether is be a dinner cruise, snorkel tour whatever no one has been this good. Tay’s the man! 🤙🏼
Absolutely the GOAT of Mauna Kea tours
William B,
Jun 12, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Very informative- once in a lifetime experience! Tay and Zach were our guides and their knowledge of the stars, the Hawaiian landscape, and (unexpectedly and much appreciated) Hawaiian mythology and history made for an amazing experience my wife and I will never forget. Kind, well run, and absolutely worth your time to go. We watched other tours drop off, leave early, and definitely didn’t interact with their guests in the same way as this tour. If you care at all about getting a truly unique experience- book this one!
Great experience
Jasmine M,
Jun 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Tay, Val, and Jamie were great. They were very knowledgeable, frieu, and helpful. The views were beautiful. Definitely worth doing. It does take about 8 hours for the whole trip if you come the bank of Kona and it does get very cold at the summit.