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Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience with Pro Astro-Photographer
4.8
235 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.
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
- Onizuka Astronomy Complex - Guided by an expert astronomer and astrophotographer, these experiences steer clear of the busy Onizuka Astronomy Complex. Stargazing takes place in serene locations on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa, with carefully chosen time slots to avoid the bright moon. Each session lasts just 2 hours and includes a stargazing guarantee, or it’s free of charge.
- Onizuka Astronomy Complex - Guided by an expert astronomer and astrophotographer, these experiences steer clear of the busy Onizuka Astronomy Complex. Stargazing takes place in serene locations on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa, with carefully chosen time slots to avoid the bright moon. Each session lasts just 2 hours and includes a stargazing guarantee, or it’s free of charge.
What's Included
- Parka jackets provided for warmth
- Professional photographer guide included
- Complimentary medium resolution photos
- All activities covered
- 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
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Optional Photo Upgrades Available
Additional Information
Guided by an Astronomer and Astro-Photographer, this is the only star tour operator providing 2-hour experiences, avoiding the bright moon, and offering a stargazing guarantee.
The tour is divided into three segments:
First:
The guide will highlight celestial objects and constellations using a powerful green laser pointer and will answer questions about…
Guided by an Astronomer and Astro-Photographer, this is the only star tour operator providing 2-hour experiences, avoiding the bright moon, and offering a stargazing guarantee.
The tour is divided into three segments:
First:
The guide will highlight celestial objects and constellations using a powerful green laser pointer and will answer questions about the universe.
Second:
Observe the details of a galaxy, a nebula, a star cluster, and a red giant star through a star tracker/deep space camera setup and a Unistellar EV telescope 2. Binoculars and a night vision scope are also provided.
Third:
The Astro-Photographer will capture a few complimentary stellar photos of participants with the Milky Way.
High-resolution upgrades are available.
Stargazing locations change nightly based on cloud cover and crowd levels. Stargazing takes place on the slopes of Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa, depending on which location offers the best conditions.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Dress code: Wear pants and closed-toed shoes
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Weather can reach 30F. We have parka jackets that have pockets and a hood, although that may not be enough for some
- Not recommended for travelers with any mobility/ambulatory restrictions, back, heart and hearing problems or other serious medical conditions
- Pregnant Travelers should discuss with their doctor before hand.
- Not suitable for some senior citizens
- Not recommended for chronic complainers ;)
Location
Pu'u Huluhulu Cinder cone parking lot
Text us 12 hours prior to your tour for an updated meeting location, we meet at other locations on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa.
If you have an international phone number, please send us a local contact number once you have it.
Send us your email address if you want the photos after the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(235 Ratings)
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James_f
Feb 21, 2025
Great experience. The... - Great experience. The views were amazing and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable! We had a perfect night, looking forward to the photos
Review provided by Viator
Kimg191
Feb 10, 2025
Awe and Wonder Remembered - The Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience was so inspiring! It was an opportunity to be in wonder and awe blanketed by the night sky in the womb of sacred land. Our three guides for our walk with the universe were so warmly professional, authentic, and uniquely shared their gifts throughout our time together.
Our personal astronomer, Dylan, brought expertise, delight, and humor as he offered incredible information through a question and answer format. He clearly has a love and joy for the phenomenal experience of being a human witness to the big mystery. Malia, our astro-photographer, created an easeful and playful experience being in front of the lens amongst the magnificent landscape of Mauna Kea and the galactic womb of this world. Her photos were absolutely gorgeous and created a fantastical image to remember our shared experience. She even provided guidance on the best location to view Kīlauea as the volcano was in full eruption during our stargazing. Luke was an integral part of the entire experience, being a touchstone for physical comfort, hot cocoa, and troubleshooting when the telescope wasn’t responding. He was a joy to connect with and to share perceptions with about the magnificence of our universe. What a team!
Much gratitude for bringing awe and wonder to our world. Humanity is in need of the feeling of delight in the connection of all that is and these tours and their stewards are a true gift.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O9689gpgregs
Jan 10, 2025
Honest and Trustworthy Booking - Putting in a review for how transparent and trustworthy James was about issues with our date in March and a full moon. After a discussion on value and amount of time with good visibility he fully refunded our visit and we will postpone until our following trip with what we hope will be good timing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J_s
Jan 1, 2025
Excellent Customer Service - Although we weren't able to partake in our stargazing event due to weather/clouds, the business proactively reached out to us with the challenges and gave us options. We appreciated the communication and integrity of this business, which is obviously concerned with giving the customer a truly stellar experience.
Review provided by Viator
Passenger169897
Jan 1, 2025
Excellent Customer Service - Although we weren't able to partake in our stargazing event due to weather/clouds, the business proactively reached out to us with the challenges and gave us options. We appreciated the communication and integrity of this business, which is obviously concerned with giving the customer a truly stellar experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R1522xqellied
Dec 31, 2024
Great Experience - Our tour guide Eric was great. He was extremely knowledgable of all the stops and the night sky. Highly recommend if you want to learn more about the constellations and local land.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Varsha_c
Dec 31, 2024
Must Do when in Big Island - It was one of a kind!!! Amazing and perfecttt!!!
Must visit and must do activity! Perfect perfect!
Just best
Review provided by Viator
Nosheen_m
Jan 12, 2025
Star gazing was amazing. ... - Star gazing was amazing. We were not prepared for the night to be that cold but their team has warm coats , blankets which was very nice of them .
Sky looked amazing .
Photos taken were ok.
We just think it's overpriced activity.
Review provided by Viator
Teodoro_k
Jan 11, 2025
Not worthy usd 300 per person - I had high expectations for this tour but it is not worthy due to:
* they said they are going to contact to confirm time and meeting point. This never happened, i tried through mail and viator contact and no answer. Finally i managed to call (with my non US line) and i was told they were going to text me. They did and was finally sent jus a google link with the coordinates.
* be aware (which i had no warning at all) that its a one lane road the last miles going up the mountain and its pitch dark. But that's the way up to the meeting point. Be careful as some cars go down and one will have to move outside the road as there is no room fot two.
* the two guides (the astrophysicist Dylan and the photographer Malia) were friendly and very knowledgeable as well as funny
* you spend 90/120 minutes sitting at the meeting point stargazing and Dylan talks about what we can stargaze and answer any question. Also Malia took some great photographs. But this are low quality picture which are later shared for free (jpg 150kb). If you want the HQ ones you have to pay additional USD 200.
In the end this seems an expensive tour which last only 2hs and not worthy USD 300, you dont get for that price the good photos neither there are clear instructions to the meeting point
I didn't expect hotel pick up but at least for this money clear and detailed instructions and also we could have gathered at the bottom of the mountain and go up together. And some nice photographs. they are probably better tours to go stargazing at Mauna Kea surroundings (which it is worthy)
Review provided by Viator
Richbe9845fc
Mar 4, 2025
Overpriced Star Lecture - Not a True Stargazing Experience - Overpriced Star Lecture - Not a True Stargazing Experience
We were really looking forward to this stargazing tour, but unfortunately, it did not live up to expectations—especially for the $684 price tag for two (including one high-resolution photo upgrade).
James, who seemed very pleasant and knowledgeable, was relegated to handing out stale candy, hot chocolate, and taking pictures, as the main presentation was handled by Dylan Reader. While Dylan was certainly informed, his attempt to mix astronomy with bad stand-up comedy felt forced and detracted from the experience. Instead of an immersive stargazing adventure, we got a long cosmic lecture with no hands-on viewing.
Yes, we saw some deep space images through a picture on a phone, but for this price, we expected more hands-on viewing, telescope use, and a truly awe-inspiring night under the stars. Instead, it felt more like a scripted science class with cringey jokes rather than looking through telescopes and seeing celestial objects like planets, nebulae, and galaxies in real-time.
If you're looking for a true celestial experience, this is not worth the cost. For a fraction of the price (or even free), you could stargaze on your own with better results. 🌌ðŸ”👎
Review provided by Tripadvisor