Maunakea Stellar Explorer HILO

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

Sat 21 Jun

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $240.73

Make a reservation

Sat 21 Jun

Starting at $240.73

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Professional guide

Bottled water

Driver/guide

Dinner

Beverages

Coffee and/or Tea

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

Rainbow Falls

Start your adventure in quaint Hilo town where you’ll drive along the historic waterfront before arriving at Rainbow Falls. This iconic waterfall right off a postcard features an 80 foot tall twin waterfall system. Look for the rainbow effect that gives the waterfall its name!

Boiling Pots

Continue traveling up the Wailuku River to Boiling Pots. Impressive photo opportunities are often found here when the river “boils” through depressions in the rocks.

Kaumana Caves Park

Explore Kaumana Caves, part of the lava tube system that brought lava 1.5 miles from Hilo-town in 1881. Take a peek inside the cathedral-like space before tucking into a quick picnic-style lunch atop the caves.

Mauna Kea

Your guide will take you to one of our preferred locations on Mauna Kea for nighttime stargazing. 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!

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. While you’re taking in the breathtaking terrestrial views, your guide will prepare some heavenly views just as stunning. Setting up a state of the art solar telescope for your viewing pleasure, your specially trained guide will let you safely watch the sun come alive in true color with vibrant solar flares, sunspots, prominences and any other current activity weather permitting.

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Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (87)

Travel43481124785

Feb 2025

It was such a wonderful trip! Henry, my tour guides was thoughtful and knowledgeable, best of all, he loves and is enthusiastic about what he's doing! I had a wonderful stargazing time and learned a lot!

Marcy_L

Feb 2025

This will be the highlight of our trip we learned quite a bit about Hilo. Stopped at places we wouldn’t know to stop at and saw the most amazing sky. Great guide, well paced if you lookup at the skies with wonder/take this trip

Silveradocyn

Nov 2024

Most science centers focus on children's exhibits, this is not the case here. My adult son and I were extremely impressed with many of the exhibits but blown away by the Polynesian navigation presentation in the planetarium. Maybe we are unusual to visit Hawaii for geology and astronomy, but we will long remember our hours at this facility.