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

Sun 23 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $240.73

Make a reservation

Sun 23 Feb

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 (58)

Jack_B

Oct 2022

Nate was a great tour guide, he had a ton of local knowledge and he had many stories about the Hawaiian culture. Stargazing was a bucket list item and it did not disappoint.

Jackie_D

Oct 2022

Rich was an excellent tour guide. He was chatty, friendly, and had a lot of good information about the island as well as the stars. We ran into a lot of low fog, which made it hard to see stars, but we were able to wait it out and see plenty eventually.

Lydia_D

Aug 2022

We weren't sure when booking this excursion how it would go, but are really happy we did. Remember that Mauna Kea has some of the world's top observatories; this tour does NOT go to the top of Mauna Kea, but it's right at the foot of it that you get to look at the stars through a telescope. First off, some tips: KNOW WHAT THE LUNAR PHASE WILL BE! If you want to see the moon, make sure you're booking when the moon will be visible at night. If you want to see the stars, make sure the moon is NOT FULL when you'll be going. I think people who were disappointed didn't think about natural phenomenon like moon cycles and weather. That said, this is a TOUR. The guide will pick you up at a hotel and drive you to several popular tourist spots. If you aren't interested in a guided tour of some Hilo highlights, this may not be the right tour from you. After seeing Rainbow Falls (no, you CANNOT swim here, and no, there will NOT be a rainbow in the afternoon), you will go to the lava tube (really cool, but some steep stairs and wear shoes with good grip!). This is absolutely worth going to, and I liked that the guide had flashlights for everyone. After a few stops, you'll drive up Saddle Road to the valley between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa for a sandwich dinner. As the sky gets dark, you cross the road (in the van) to an open area to set up the telescope and see what is visible. Here are some additional tips: if you don't get a chance to see something, ask the guide to let you see it! They may not be counting how many eyes get to the telescope promptly. If you want to see something specific, ask for it! If you have a question, ask it! Don't be frustrated that the guide didn't show or tell you something you didn't ask about. That said, this is not a leisurly amble - it's a tour. You'll be on and off the tour van several times and see and hear lots of interesting things. I recommend this for anyone spending a little time Hilo side, especially early in your trip. You're likely to find out interesting tidbits about the island that you won't hear on other excursions, like snorkel or sunset tours. If you're not used to guided tours, this may feel unusual to you, but understanding that the guide is doing their best to show and tell you interesting things will help you get into the groove. Side note: we got to the hotel early and had drinks at Hula Hula and really enjoyed it. If you're looking for a place to eat or grab a drink before the tour, there and Hilo Bay Cafe are both good - though you will need reservations for HBC.