Mauna Kea Stargazing Tours: The 9 Best Summit and Stars Nights

1.Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,706 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $289Our pick

Ride a 4x4 van from Hilo, Waikoloa, or Kona to Mauna Kea’s 13,796-foot summit for sunset, then stop lower on the mountain for stargazing. Guides such as Tay, Kella, John, Chris, and Val share Hawaiian stories and astronomy facts. Coats, gloves, drinks, snacks, and a night photo are included.

“This was an amazing way to spend an evening and it is, in my opinion, absolutely worth the time and money. Shoutout to our guide Chris who did an amazing job.”

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2.Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,545 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $329

Join Hawaii Forest & Trail for an eight-hour Mauna Kea outing with guides such as Jeff, Jason, Wilson, or Eugene. Ride a 4x4 van to the summit, watch sunset above the clouds, then stargaze near 9,000 feet with two telescopes, hot cocoa, dessert, and warm parkas.

“Amazing experience to see the sunset above the clouds and stargazing . Wilson, our driver, was wonderful. So knowledgeable about the mountains/volcanoes ! And the stars.”

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3.Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset, & Stargazing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 629 reviews · 390 - 450 minutes · from $289

Ride from Hilo to Mauna Kea with an English-speaking guide such as Val, Tay, John, or Jess. Watch sunset near the summit, visit the great observatories, then stargaze at high altitude with a telescope, hot chocolate, warm gear, and emailed night photos.

“This was an amazing experience for me and my husband! We conveniently got picked up and dropped off in Hilo. John our guide was kind and knowledgeable. The sunset from the top is indescribable, the stargazing was also beyond words. We saw Orion’s Nubela, and two other entire galaxies!! Unreal! It was life changing. Other: we got a little snack bag for the drive up the mountain (chips, crackers, candy), hot cocoa and oatmeal were provided during the stargazing. The supplied jackets were surprisingly warm (gloves available also)! We got complementary photos of our group, and photos of all the amazing we saw in space…all available to download after our…”

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4.Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 261 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $299

Meet at Puʻu Huluhulu and follow your astronomy team to a remote Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa viewing site. James, Dylan, or another expert guide the star talk with a Celestron Origin smart telescope, while a professional photographer takes Milky Way portraits. Parkas and medium-resolution photos are included.

“This is a must see experience. We live in the country and thought we could see stars but this was incredible. The instructions will note this but it is cold. Bring a base layer, gloves and hat. The staff was incredible and knowledgeable. Shannon and Dylan were amazing. Thank yo both for such a great adventure.”

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5.MaunaKea Summit SUNSET and Star Tour with Photo

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 220 reviews · 8 hours · from $280

Ride a 4x4 van from Kona or Waikoloa to Mauna Kea’s summit with guides such as James, Wes, or Yoki John. You’ll acclimatize at the visitor center, watch sunset above the clouds, enjoy hot drinks under the stars, and receive free DSLR photos of the evening.

“Highly recommend this tour! It was very well organized. Our tour guide James took great care of us, shared a lot of knowledge about Hawaii and had great jokes. Our group had an amazing time!”

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6.Haleakala Sunset and Astronomy Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $235Best value

Meet guide Trish in Makawao at 4:30 pm for a small-group ride to Haleakala National Park. Learn about Maui’s volcano, plants, and animals, watch sunset above the clouds, then use a telescope to see planets and stars. Warm clothing, chairs, binoculars, and hot drinks are supplied.

“Dress warm! We thought we dressed warm, but not warm enough. Luckily, Trish, our guide, was prepared. She had warm clothing from head-to-toe for all of us. Be ready for windy environment.”

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7.Mauna Kea: Stargazing Experience with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 32 reviews · 2 hours · from $299

Join James and the Epic Tours Hawaii team for two hours beneath Mauna Kea’s dark skies. You’ll use a parka, follow a green laser through the constellations, view space objects through a telescope, and pose for 2 to 3 edited astro-photos.

“Unfortunately, we weren't able to embark on our eagerly anticipated tour due to unexpected bad weather conditions. However, I feel compelled to write this review to commend the exceptional service we received, despite the tour's cancellation. First and foremost, our tour guide, James, demonstrated exemplary professionalism and attentiveness. In a situation that could easily have led to disappointment, James's effective communication and clear instructions significantly mitigated our inconvenience. He provided timely updates, which were crucial in our planning. One aspect that particularly stood out was the tour's fair and customer-friendly refund/cancellation policy. It's rare to find such a...”

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8.Haleakala Sunset and Stargazing Tour with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · from $299

Ride into Maui’s Upcountry with an NAI Certified guide, watch sunset from Haleakala’s 10,023-foot summit, eat dinner, and stop for stargazing. Hotel, condo, resort, and cruise harbor pickup is included. Guides such as Michael Reed have earned praise for clear explanations and thoughtful service.

“The guide had a lot to say. Transport was really nice in a group of 9 people. Stargazing is a bit over the top. Quickly check with the HandyApp where each zodiac sign is, you can also give yourself 10 minutes. I was expecting more for that kind of money.”

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9.Haleakala Sunset and Stargazing Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.)

Drive from Kahului through Makawao and Upcountry Maui to Haleakalā’s crater rim with GPS-triggered stories, music, offline maps, and flexible stops. See Hosmer Grove, crater overlooks, short trail sections, and the 10,023-foot summit before returning through Maui’s farm country.

“Frustrating as the audio kept cutting in and out Beautiful scenery once we got to the top though Wouldn’t recommend the cost of the driving tour”

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