Maunakea Stellar Explorer from KONA

Overview

For an out-of-this-world experience, check out Maunakea Stellar Explorer from KapohoKine Adventures. This thrilling adventure is the only Big Island star tour to feature nighttime astronomical observing AND safe daytime solar viewing with all ages welcome! Our in-house stellar explorers are the best and most experienced in Hawaii with one having created the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center and operated it for a decade. Others on staff have written noted articles and reviews for well-known astronomy magazines and have worked at world-class observatories.

City: Big Island of Hawaii

Wed 23 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $263.76

Make a reservation

Wed 23 Oct

Starting at $263.76

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Bottled water

Driver/guide

Dinner

Jackets

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

Kailua-Kona

The adventure starts with dinner.

Saddle Road

Next, you’ll travel across Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of the tallest and most massive volcanoes on Earth. Your National Park Service trained guide will discuss the volcanology, geology, and history of these monstrous wonders, as well as providing in-depth narration on the various lava flows and flora and fauna that you’ll be passing by. Lastly, your guide will take you to one of our preferred locations on Mauna Kea for nighttime stargazing.

Mauna Kea

You’ll observe deep sky and planetary objects through a large aperture Dobsonian telescope under one of the darkest and most pristine skies on planet Earth! Our Dobsonian telescopes are a true purist’s experience to view the night sky. Their fast focal ratio enables you to see sprawling wide field views of objects that simply aren’t possible with the types of telescopes used by other tours. Depending on what is visible in the current sky and weather permitting, you’ll observe galaxies, nebula, star clusters, planets, double star systems, the moon, and much more; all the highlights and showpiece objects like you’ve never seen before! Afterwards, warm up with Kona coffee and hot chocolate before returning to your resort. Warm jackets provided. This tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit out of deference to Native Hawaiian concerns.

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (70)

passagener798405

Mar 2019

Experienced this amazing tour with our fabulous guide, Marcus. The night was perfect for star gazing and the location was off Saddle road. The telescope used to gaze at the night skies was impressive. Marcus was very knowledgeable and able to provide a night of star gazing fun! Amazing tour!

Heather_J

Mar 2019

Nothing in the description of this tour was accuret. Lets start with the "Kona Coffee Tour and Tasting" we were taken to a coffee farm. NO tour the tasting that we were told would be many types of coffee and other things was 1 half pot if older coffee. The lady at the tasting seem to not want to be there. After being left at this pavilion for a half hour our guide came back from preparing dinner to get us. Our "BBQ Dinner" was reheated on the grill chicken and ribs, black beans from the can and a warm slaw. After dinner then driving for a few hours and after making a couple stops to check for star visibility. We finally pulled over on the side of the road and set up for an hour and a half. Your guide TODD needs to get his star facts correct also. Just because things are bright in the Hawaiian sky doesn't mean they are the brightest in the sky in other parts of the world. The snacks an drinks that were to be provided were a joke. Tour time was suppose to be 6ish hours was over 8.5 of which we spent 5 hours just driving in this van. I could have done this tour myself in my own vehicle in half the time. DO NOT SPEND $200 a person for this tour. There are cheaper options that I assume provide the same outcome.

Cas001_10

Jan 2019

This was a memorable tour. We (2 adults, and 11 year old) were initially unsure if we should do the tour, as it was quite pricey (especially given the weak AUD to USD rate), but we were so glad we did it. Lawrence, the tour guide was fantastic, he shared interesting facts and knowledge about Hawaii and Big Island, facts and trivia that will stick to your mind for a long time. The tour was conducted at a relaxing pace, and away from other tour groups. Loved it and would recommend the tour.