Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

Overview

Led by an Astronomer and Astro-Photographer, we are the only star tour operator that offers 2 hour experiences, avoids the bright moon and offers a stargazing guarantee.

The tour comes in 3 parts:

First:
Your guide will point out celestial objects and constellations with a powerful green laser pointer and answer questions about the universe.

Second:
View details of a galaxy, a nebula, a star cluster and a red giant star through a star tracker/deep space camera setup and a Unistellar EV telescope 2. We also bring binoculars and a night vision scope.

Third:
Your Astro-Photographer will take a few complimentary stellar photos of you with the Milky Way.

High Resolution upgrades are available.

Stargazing locations vary each night depending on clouds and crowds. We stargaze on the slopes of Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa, whichever spot has the best conditions.

City: Big Island of Hawaii

Sat 21 Jun

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $299.00

Make a reservation

Sat 21 Jun

Starting at $299.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (175) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (252) Entry Tickets (96) Sporting Events (4) Good for Small Groups (27) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (113) Walking Tours (705) Outdoor Activities (48) Limitied Availability Tours (29) LGBT Friendly Tours (9) Family-friendly Activities (8) Wildlife Activities (6) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (96) Travelers recommend (174) Good for Groups (32) Top Activities (75) Guided Audio Tours (10) Art, Culture & History (406) Attractions to explore (43) Sustainable Tours (1) Limousine Transfers (5) Donut Walking Tour (2) Virtual Experiences (1) Additional fees (7) DSA non-compliant (17)

What's Included

Complimentary Medium Resolution Photos

Parka Jackets

Professional photographer guide

All activities

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Dress code: Wear pants and closed-toed shoes
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Weather can reach 30F. We have parka jackets that have pockets and a hood, although that may not be enough for some
Not recommended for travelers with any mobility/ambulatory restrictions, back, heart and hearing problems or other serious medical conditions
Pregnant Travelers should discuss with their doctor before hand.
Not suitable for some senior citizens
Not recommended for chronic complainers ;)

What To Expect

Onizuka Astronomy Complex

Lead by an astronomer and astro photographer, our experiences avoid the overcrowded Onizuka Astronomy Complex. We stargaze away from the crowds on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa and time slots are hand selected to avoid the bright moon. Experiences are only 2 hours long and offer a stargazing guarantee or it’s free.

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (238)

Kmgreenrn

Mar 2025

This company has you meet at the location there is no pick up and delivery back. For me this meant an hour drive on off and on rainy, curvy mountain roads. Other companies are available for the same price that offer this option. Once I arrived I had to travel upward on a dark single curvy road to get to the meeting location. It was super cold so dress really warm. take gloves and hats if you have them and wear sturdy shoes. I would do this experience again anyway. I did think the picture of me would have been better since you can't tell who I am and the picture background is light even though it was dark. There is a falling star behind me. While there I fid see a falling star behind the speaker. Another lad seen 2 falling stars. All the other pictures sent to you have to be purchased. Those pictures are awesome and reflect a lot of what we talked about. Dylan answered every question ask. He was knowledgeable about the stars, planets, nebula, galaxies, black holes, string theory, the theory of relativity , UFO, everything astronomy you could ask for. He was very enthusiastic and definitely has passion for this topic. The hand warmer helped once we figured out how to use them for this 2 hour experience.

wwtara

Mar 2025

Such an incredible and unique experience! We were on the fence due to price and the potential for a longer drive at night but we couldn't be more glad we booked it! The details were well communicated leading up to the event and the photos are such a fun way to remember a fantastic experience! The stars were truly breathtaking. Dylan, our astrologist, was just fantastic and his knowledge was vast and contagious. I would highly recommend this once in a lifetime experience to anyone in the area!

richbE9845FC

Mar 2025

Overpriced Star Lecture - Not a True Stargazing Experience We were really looking forward to this stargazing tour, but unfortunately, it did not live up to expectations—especially for the $684 price tag for two (including one high-resolution photo upgrade). James, who seemed very pleasant and knowledgeable, was relegated to handing out stale candy, hot chocolate, and taking pictures, as the main presentation was handled by Dylan Reader. While Dylan was certainly informed, his attempt to mix astronomy with bad stand-up comedy felt forced and detracted from the experience. Instead of an immersive stargazing adventure, we got a long cosmic lecture with no hands-on viewing. Yes, we saw some deep space images through a picture on a phone, but for this price, we expected more hands-on viewing, telescope use, and a truly awe-inspiring night under the stars. Instead, it felt more like a scripted science class with cringey jokes rather than looking through telescopes and seeing celestial objects like planets, nebulae, and galaxies in real-time. If you're looking for a true celestial experience, this is not worth the cost. For a fraction of the price (or even free), you could stargaze on your own with better results. 🌌🔭👎

Response from Host

Mar 2025

Aloha, Mahalo for sharing your feedback. We’re really sorry to hear the tour didn’t meet your expectations. We put a lot of heart into creating an unforgettable night under the stars, so it’s tough to hear when someone leaves feeling disappointed. We try to make our tours a mix of science, storytelling, and fun, but we get that not everyone vibes with the same style. Your thoughts on the balance between the presentation and actual telescope time are super helpful, and we’re taking them seriously as we look at ways to improve the experience. As for the price, we know it’s an investment, and we always want our guests to feel like they’re getting something truly special. The cost includes use of a 6 inch astrograph telescope, astrophotography of each of the guests with the Milky Way Galaxy in the background, expert guides, and access to a location far from other tourists. If it didn’t feel worth it to you, that’s something we need to look at. We really appreciate you coming out with us, and we’d love the chance to make it up to you. If you’re open to it, reach out to us, we’d be happy to see what we can do. Either way, we hope your next stargazing adventure is everything you’re looking for. Wishing you clear skies and epic nights.