Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo

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Overview

Available languages

English

8 hours

Mobile ticket

We will take you to the summit of Mauna Kea to see the sunset and we will do stargazing afterward (not at the summit). Our most unique part is that our guides will take the photo of the sunset and stars for you using their DSLR camera.

All photos are free of charge and you will get it to your smartphone at the end of the tour.

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

Please check the message on Viator. We will send a message about pick up time and location after the confirmation of your booking.

Please note that pick up location has a free parking lot but we do not take any responsibility or liability for any damage or loss caused through the parking

Please note that in times of bad weather sunset or stargazing are not 100% guaranteed and moonphase will affect the visibility of the stars.

Please note that, depending on any guests get altitude sickness or other conditions, the time spent at the summit and the stargazing location may be adjusted.

Guest under 16 years old or older than 75 cannot participate

Not recommended for person weight more than 300lb

Not recommended for person having respiratory problem such as asthma

Guest under 16 years old or older than 75 cannot participate

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

An astronomical telescope

Mauna Kea Summit Tour

Admission Fee for Mauna Kea

Free DSLR camera photo of stars with you in it! (weather and moon phase permitting))

BLT or Vegan sandwich (Please let us know by day before the tour or it will be automatically a BLT)

Snow parker, Ski pants, and Gloves

4x4 Passenger Van to the summit

Gratuities

What To Expect

1

Kailua-Kona

Pick up guests from each pick up location starting from Target in Kona. (pick up time varies depending on the season) 14:00-15:00pm Target's parking lot meet in front of the Mcdonald’s that is in the Target parking area (74-5453 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona) 14:45-15:45pm/ Queens’ Market Place Please meet up at the shuttle bus stop in backside of the shopping mall, a LARGE parking lot near the NOT Starbucks (69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr #201, Waikoloa) 15:30-16:30pm/ Gilbert Kahele Recreation Park (44-5400 Daniel K. Inouye Hwy, Waimea)

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
2

Onizuka Astronomy Complex

Onizuka Visitor Information Station We will take a break at the Onizuka Visitor Center at an altitude of 2,800m or 9,000ft for early dinner and altitude acclimatization. We also change clothes for winter clothes here depending on the weather. Also gift shop is open for guests to purchase the items. (No food or drink sale)

1 hour • Admission Included

Options

Target Parking Lot by McDonald

Starting point:
Target, 74-5455 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA

Queens Market place Pick up

Starting point:
Queens' Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA

Reviews

4.78

1,296 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1150
71
36
9
30

  • Sunset from on High

    Guadalupe G,

    Nov 13, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    It was an amazing adventure up to the summit. Definitely freezing cold weather but an awesome sunset!

  • An Unforgettable Night with James!

    yuranj2025,

    Nov 12, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Fantastic tour with our guide, James! He made the cosmos accessible and fascinating. Key highlights: • Knowledge: He shared amazing stories about the stars and planets. • Patience: He ensured everyone had a great view and answered all questions. • Fun: A wonderful and educational night thanks to James! Don't miss it!

  • Absolutely magical...

    naisphanh01,

    Nov 12, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Absolutely magical experience with Hawaiian Eyes Tour! Our guide James was incredible—warm, knowledgeable, and made us feel completely welcome from the start. The drive to the summit was filled with fascinating insights, and once we arrived, the views were beyond breathtaking. Clear skies, perfect weather, and stars like you’ve never seen before. What makes this tour truly unique is the professional twilight and sunset photography James provides—stunning keepsakes that captured the beauty of the moment. We stayed longer than expected because we simply couldn’t get enough. The hospitality was top-notch, and the sandwich (hello, bacon!) was a delicious bonus. If you’re visiting Hawaii, this is a must-do. Once-in-a-lifetime views, unforgettable memories, and a guide who goes above and beyond. Highly recommend!

    naisphanh01's photo 1

  • Unforgettable Sunset & Stargazing! 🌋☕🌌

    Anish M,

    Nov 11, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Aloha!! 😍 We had such an amazing time exploring the Big Island with John. He was kind, upbeat, and full of great energy. John knew so much about the place — the stories, the legends, the science behind the volcanoes — and he shared it all in such a fun, easygoing way. The best part was when he drove us up 13,000 feet above sea level for the perfect sunset spot. We were over the clouds, watching the sun dip below a sea of mist and color. Absolutely breathtaking. Then came the stargazing — the sky was crystal clear, and we saw more stars than we ever thought possible. John pointed out constellations and planets with such passion that the whole experience felt otherworldly. And that hot cocoa he served? The most very, very, very delicious cup ever — warm, rich, and exactly what we needed up there in the chill. Highly recommend John and Hawaiian Eye Tours — truly unforgettable! 🌺✨ Mahalo!🙏😊

  • Worth the money!

    annaxpatricia,

    Nov 10, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Francis was an amazing tour guide! From the welcome greeting to the end of the tour, he maintained such a welcoming and hospitable personality. Not only was he an informative tour guide and driver, but he also took pictures with a camera (AND even airdropped instantly). The life saving moment was when he made us sandwiches and hot chocolate, which was much needed after acclimating to the cold weather and change in altitude. Francis even had our winter gear available (i.e winter jacket, gloves, and pants), and when my boyfriend forgot a beanie, Francis luckily had an extra one just for him. The views are also breathtaking! We were so grateful that the weather was perfect to see the Mauna Kea sunset and to end the night, we went stargazing, which overall was an experience I’ll never forget! It’s a pricey tour, but a well worth your money if you want someone who is experienced in managing this kind of excursion and making sure you are in good hands. You could technically rent a 4 wheel drive and do the entire thing yourself for cheaper, but I really recommend doing this tour if you are not used to altitude change. Francis always reminded us to take deep breaths and informed us on how to properly manage altitude sickness by getting rest at the appropriate times, which I wouldn’t have known if we did this ourselves. I don’t regret booking this tour and I’m happy to say I slept like a baby on the way back home.

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  • What a great tour! We got...

    Gopika P,

    Nov 7, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    What a great tour! We got to see such a vibrant sunset from the summit and star gaze too! Wes was such an amazing guide! We got to learn so much about the culture and history of this island. He really went out of his way to make sure everyone was comfortable and having a good time. Highly recommend!

  • Thank you so much!

    Priscilla L,

    Nov 6, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    We had fun if we had good weather would be more fun. Our tour(sorry I forgot his name) was so nice and professional. We got unexpected road construction and had traffic jams. I knew we would last and worried if missed the trip. I let them knew and our driver tour had waited us and call me make sure we on the way. We learned Hawaii history and culture when we on the way to Summit. Finally, our tour helped us take a lot of good pictures to make us had a unforgettable trip.

  • Our tour guide was so...

    Rhonda S,

    Nov 6, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Our tour guide was so knowledgeable, interactive and friendly!! The tour is amazing, the sights are unbelievably beautiful. Our guide took us to less crowded spaces for viewing and photo opps!! He even set up a telescope for us!! This was the only tour that took photos of the passengers

  • Our tour guide was great....

    g5gv9hc4my,

    Nov 5, 2025

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Our tour guide was great. Unfortunately moon was full so couldn’t see many stars. Plan trip when moon is not so bright

  • Great Mauna Kea summit tour

    Passenger08007928297,

    Nov 5, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    4.00

    James - our tour guide was very knowledgable and kept us informed on what we were seeing during our drive, the time is would take to get there, and a bit of history. The star gazing was not great (hence the GOOD, not EXCELLENT rating) because the moon was very bright - which James of course had no control over! He did show us what he could. The food provided was good. I would recommend this trip for those interested in astronomy and stars.

From $260.00

4.78
1,296 reviews

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