Hawaii’s 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
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.
Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
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.
Options
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
Waikoloa Starbucks Pick Up
Waikoloa Queens' Marketplace Starbucks
Starting point:
Starbucks, Beach Resort, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Reviews
1,548 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
10/10 GOAT experience!
Amber T,
Aug 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00Absolutely mind blowing 🤯 I rode shotgun in Jess’s van and had the best time! The amount of information she shared while navigating was incredible and I wish I could have taken notes 😂 We got to see an incredible sunset and even got lucky to see shooting stars during stargazing! You can really tell her and her husband Rob love their jobs and are incredible stewards of Mauna Kea, I am so grateful for their knowledge and kindness! I would recommend this to anyone who is thinking of it. I was a little worried about altitude sickness, but I followed the precautions they recommended (drink lots of water, big breakfast/light lunch) and didn’t get sick at all. I had such a great time, I would absolutely do this again! Thank you Jess and Rob!☺️
We had Tay as a guide. He...
Deborah L,
Aug 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had Tay as a guide. He was very informational, personable, helpful, and made it a very interesting experience.
A Must!
Elizabeth T,
Aug 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00This excursion was well planned, hosted by super guides (Rob and Jess), had exquisite sunset viewing among the stunning telescopes, was very informative, and is definitely the GOAT! This was our second time on this excursion, both times with Rob and Jess. We were delighted that they were our guides for a second time. They, too, are the GOAT.
Fast paced fun time
Madhuri R,
Aug 1, 2025
- Viator
3.00Loveee the energy the hosts bring, the locations are great. I think the tour is too cramped towards the end. The sunset, telescopes views all went great but the star gazing could have been better. I liked the explanation but we spent very little time with the stars. The food was terrible - for the kind of price - I expect more than skittles and m&m's. The hot chocolate and tea were also subpar as its just swissmix. The astro photography is so-so - there is no dramatic capture of the stars, as it's still like 9 pm when the photoshoot happens. I expected the return time to be after 12am, but it was as early as 10pm, so I missed the night sky. For the price, we expected a lot more.
Wonderful experience
Cristinel M,
Jul 30, 2025
- Viator
5.00Amazing experience! Wonderful sights of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, sunset, astronomic observatories on Mauna Kea, naked eye and telescope stargazing. The guides were very kind, knowledgeable and caring about their clients.
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Operated by Hawaii Island Holidays