Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience with Pro Astro-Photographer
4.9
221 Ratings
Hawaii County

Experience the ultimate stargazing adventure on Mauna Kea with a pro astro-photographer and analog-astronaut. Discover celestial objects, view deep space with a telescope, and capture stunning photos with the Milky Way.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Mauna Kea - Enjoy a unique stargazing experience with free photos of your trip.
What's Included
  • Parka jackets provided for warmth
  • Professional photographer guide included
  • Complimentary medium resolution photos
  • All activities covered
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Optional Photo Upgrades Available
Additional Information

Guided by a seasoned Analog-Astronaut and a professional Astro-Photographer, we are the only stargazing firm that purposely avoids the moon’s brightness and meticulously chooses our times and locations to provide you with the best possible stargazing experience.
Our tour is split into three segments:
Opening Segment:
Your guide will highlight different…

see more
Location
Pu'u Huluhulu Cinder cone parking lot
Text us prior to your tour for an updated meeting spot. We might not be meeting at this location.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(221 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Fearless595257
Oct 5, 2024
Big night sky energy - A super fun experience with two knowledgeable and comprehensible guides. The viewing location, while slightly at elevation, is ideal because it’s usually above the clouds and provides a spectacular naked (or vision-corrected) eye view of the night sky. The meeting location on the night we went was only a slight drive off a main road and not too sketchy, even for a small compact car. When we got settled for viewing, we got a great informational talk and lots of time for q&a. A can’t-miss experience on the big island.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leilani_t
Oct 4, 2024
Star struck with astronauts - Amazingly star struck at the experience. Our guides James and Dylan were so talented, so passionate and filled with so much knowledge that was engaging and funny and uplifting. I could have spent hours listening to them and watching them take stunning photos. They took us to a quiet out of this world place with no other lights, only around 20 people instead of hundreds and let us ask any questions. Definitely needed the parka lol. Could have been colder but still way cold. The photos they took are stunning and I just felt blessed to be in such great company and talent and passion. Our own cameras took stunning photos because of the heights and cold still air. Hanging out with an astronaut was so cool. Mahalo
Review provided by Viator
Gordon_b
Sep 5, 2024
Perfect hosts - Wow! Don't worry about the clouds. They took us above them where the sky is crystal clear. What a view! Super knowledgeable. What an experience. Highly recommended! Thank you.
Review provided by Viator
Kentheduke
Aug 28, 2024
Well worthwhile - Well worthwhile. Really informative and enjoyable. We did this trip with an 8 year old and he asked loads of questions in the light hearted Q&A session, which he gained a lot from , but it is a late night for young kids. We were met in the location as described and taken further up the volcano above the encroaching weather. There we were set up on deck chairs whilst one astronomer talked about anything we wanted to know and fielded our questions, and the other , James, took the brilliant Milky Way photos. Sadly the weather was beating us so we packed up and found another location and picked the experts brains there instead. The night is as long as you want - some left after the first stop, but others stayed. We all packed up about 11:30 (from 7:50pm meet/8pm start). I think if the weather had have held it would have been even later - certainly James was happy to stay until we, as customers, were done. But that’s one of those things. Our photos arrived next day. Highly recommend this trip. Just make sure you’ve got a full tank of petrol before setting off.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patricia_d
Aug 26, 2024
Simply the Best Stargazing Experience - This is THE tour you should book. We cannot say enough about our stargazing experience. It exceeded all of our expectations. James is extremely knowledgeable and invests so much time and energy to ensure the experience is the best mother nature can accommodate. Thank you James!
Review provided by Viator
Kelsey_v
Aug 13, 2024
It was very enjoyable. We... - It was very enjoyable. We loved learning about the stars and meteor shower was great. I did enjoy there not being any other groups around us as we gazed at the stars. The photos turned out amazing.
Review provided by Viator
Verafiedvegan
Jul 18, 2024
They weren’t kidding when they named it Epic Tours - Stargazing with Epic Tours was an unforgettable experience. Words really can’t adequately express how stunning the stars are from that location on Mauna Kea. They supply coats and blankets, but it’s cold up there, so don’t forget to dress as warm as you can. I loved being able to learn about the stars and planets and constellations and galaxies and ask all the questions I wanted to ask of Dylan. They use a laser pointer to show us everything, and if you have a question, they hand it to you to point out what you’re talking about. They are so knowledgeable and have really thought of it all to make the experience special. James has some really impressive camera equipment and took some of the most stunning pics I’ve ever seen. (I tried to take a couple with my phone, but they were all blurry, so I was so happy to have a bunch of gorgeous pics sent to me.) The whole experience was absolutely beautiful and I would do it again in a heartbeat. ⭐️ 💫
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jchew81
Jul 11, 2024
Awesome Experience! - Have to admit, we thought it was a bit odd to have the pickup location change an hour or so before the event, be given the updated Google map location, and told to drive ourselves to the new location (only 10 minutes away from the original), but this was an AWESOME experience. The location was low enough altitude that we were able to bring our elementary aged kids, which we would not have been able to do if we opted to go on other tours that go to the summit. The view of the stars were crystal clear and best of all the guides were super knowledgable and engaging. It's clear that they enjoyed what they do. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this experience or do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annancalifornia
Jul 10, 2024
A stargazing experience of a lifetime! - This tour was EPIC! We are so grateful to have experienced this in our lifetime. We saw many shooting stars, constellations, a nebula, Pinwheel Galaxy, Andromeda! James and Dylan are knowledgeable; true experts. And they are fun! We had a memorable time, felt inspired, and feel moved by the perspective of where we are in our galaxy. 1. Booking experience: James was great at communicating, very detailed and responsive. 2. Getting there: it was a nicely paved, easy drive. The location was felt private, like you’re on another planet, it’s so neat. James was so kind to include the jeep in the photo too! Plan ahead with directions and texts, as you get higher, you may lose WiFi. Driving back at night to Kona side after the experience felt safe, as well! 3. The photos: such a cool way to remember the experience. James is an incredible photographer. I still can’t believe he was able to capture these, and that we are able to have photos by him Thank you Epic Tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Justin_s
Jul 9, 2024
Amazing experience - Amazing experience. Must do if you’re on the Big Island! Best stargazing you will ever see. It’s freezing cold up there, so dress warm.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 14 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today