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

Fri 06 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $240.73

Make a reservation

Fri 06 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 (87)

lhasacompton

Sep 2024

Great way to catch several sights and get out among the stars. Our group was a hoot! More fun sharing the experience with other travelers who share your interests.

Rebecca_H

Aug 2024

The tour guide Eric was awesome. So knowledgeable. Looking at the sun through the telescope was amazing.

lisaaD6397PJ

May 2024

You’ll never see as many stars as you will on this excursion! We were staying in Waikoloa so we drove Hawaiian belt road to do some sight seeing and then had late lunch at Hawaiian Style Cafe (amazing) in Hilo before meeting our tour guide Henry. Henry was very knowledgeable with each part of the tour. We drove through the gardens and learned of Hawaiian history on our way to Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. They were cool and then we went to the top to see the island’s oldest Banyan tree. Next We drove to the lava cabes and went in about 1/2 mile. It was not tough to walk but tou wNt to wear closed shoes like sneakers. Henry explained about how the heat of lava created different formations. Then we drove anout 45 minutes up Mauna Kea for view of sunset above the clouds and dinner of sandwiches and salads. We did not go to the peak because of lower oxygen levels and cool temps. Henry gives great overview of star formations and uses laser to point out constellations. The Dobsonian telescope proves you with beautiful star sighting and is also used to show you deep space. This tour was mime and my son’s favorite thing we did on the big island.