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Adults$251.90 + tax & feesAges 13 and older.
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Children$246.40 + tax & fees12 and under
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GO PRIVATE UP TO 12 GUESTS$1,839.20 + tax & feesAll Ages
Deluxe Big Island Of Hawaii Stargazing
6 Hours
All Ages
No
About this tour
Experience a one-of-a-kind adventure with KapohoKine Adventures’ Maunakea Stellar Explorer Tour, the only Big Island experience that combines safe daytime solar viewing with extraordinary nighttime stargazing perfect for all ages!
Led by Hawaii’s most knowledgeable stellar explorers including the creator of the Mauna Kea Visitor Center and contributors to renowned astronomy publications you’ll enjoy an unforgettable journey into the cosmos.
The adventure begins with a delicious dinner, followed by an awe-inspiring solar viewing session using a state-of-the-art solar telescope. Witness the sun’s vibrant flares, prominences, and sunspots in vivid detail, weather permitting.
Next, travel along the legendary Saddle Road, nestled between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of Earth’s tallest and most massive volcanoes. Along the way, your National Park Service-trained guide will share captivating insights into the area’s geology, volcanology, and unique flora and fauna.
The highlight of your journey awaits on Mauna Kea, where you’ll stargaze under some of the clearest skies on Earth. Using a large-aperture Dobsonian telescope, explore galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, planets, double stars, and the moon. These telescopes, known for their fast focal ratios, provide breathtaking wide-field views unavailable on other tours.
Afterward, warm up with a cup of 100% Kona coffee or hot chocolate before returning to your resort. Complimentary jackets ensure your comfort throughout the tour. Out of respect for Native Hawaiian cultural significance, this tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit.
Prepare for a cosmic journey that will leave you inspired and amazed!
- Stargazing Through An Incredible 10″ Telescope
- See Celestial Objects Like Never Before
- Sun Gazing Through a Solar Telescope
- View Sunspots, Solar Flares and More
- Go Up To A Dark Site (between Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa)
- Kona, Kohala & Hilo Area Pickups
- Deli-Style Dinner, Hot Chocolate, Tea, and Coffee Included
- Small Group Tours With A Professional Guide
We pick guests up at hotels in either Kona and Kohala or historic Hilo town. We will stop at various areas of interest on the way up the mountain, as well as a stop for dinner and breathtaking views of the night sky through our telescopes.
The tour starting from Kona is definitely special. We start off the day with a drive up to a great overlook location. We can view the sun through the solar telescope, enjoy the coastal and mountain views as well as enjoy some coffee and other warm drinks. We can take time to enjoy our deli-style lunch as the colors in the sky and on the mountain provide an inspiring scene. From this location, we travel further up Saddle Road to enjoy a stargazing experience like no other. Afterward warm up with coffee, hot chocolate and a dessert before driving back down to Kona.
Hilo tours start off at about 3:15pm with a drive through the historic waterfront to scenic Rainbow Falls. View it from multiple perspectives and spot the colors that give this falls itʻs name. From here we travel a bit further up the road following the Wailuku River. We stop to explore the Kaumana Caves and take time to have a picnic-style dinner stop of sandwiches or salads. We catch the last glimpses of the sun and view it through the solar telescope. Traveling up into the saddle, the land between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, your guide will point out sights across Kona that you will now be able to see. After sunset, we venture out to find a great view of the night sky to see galaxies, clusters, nebulas and so much more. Enjoy a warming drink and a bit of dessert before heading back down to Hilo.
Whether you plan to visit Kona or Hilo town, this stargazing tour is an experience you won’t forget!
On the slopes of Mauna Kea, we will enjoy a picnic-style lunch at a location with incredible views of the sunset.
More hot beverage choices like hot chocolate and Kona coffee will be offered with your locally-baked dessert as you stargaze.
All food and beverage are included.
- Leave From Hilo at 3:30 pm
- Leave from Kona at 3 pm
* Pickup and return times will vary greatly over the year. Your guide will be in touch prior to the tour.
