Mauna Kea Stargazing Stellar Explorer & Daytime Solar Viewing Experience

5.00

(4)

2 Packages

Hawaii_Big Island_Kapohokine_Mauna Kea Stellar

Hawaii_Big_Island_Mauna_Kea_Night_View_123RF_50224754

Hawaii_Big Island_Kapohokine_Mauna Kea_641506495

(21)

Highlights

The best stargazing tour on the Big Island!

Two different routes departing from Hilo or Kona

All ages are welcome!

Reviews

Unforgettable experience. Excellent services.

Ping

Posted on: 2020/01/20 | Ping

Great experience

Guilietta Kim

Posted on: 2020/01/01 | Guilietta Kim

Big Island

6.5 - 9 hour(s) incl. transportation

Available Daily

Pick-up available

Not Accessible

What to expect

Embark on the only stargazing tour in Hawaii that features nighttime astronomical observing on the slopes of Mauna Kea & daytime solar viewing. The most family-friendly stargazing tour, all ages are welcome! Tour departs from Kona and Hilo.

To protect our visitors and activity providers, precautionary measures will be set up to monitor and mitigate the spread of potential disease. Please see the additional notes below for more details.

This once-in-a-lifetime stargazing tour is the only one on the Big Island that features both nighttime and daytime star viewing! Visit various attractions on the island on your way to Saddle Road, between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Enjoy a delicious dinner, then drive up mystical Mauna Kea. Once you're on the slopes of the dormant volcano, you'll be given time to acclimate to the altitude while your guide explains the history of the island and the volcano. You'll be able to see stars at night and also watch the sun come up with this special, state-of-the-art telescope! You'll also get a hot drink and dessert to help keep you warm as you gaze at the night sky.

Know Before You Go:

Where is the Stargazing Location?The stargazing takes place on the slopes of Mauna Kea. On this tour, you will not be visiting the Summit of Maunakea or the Visitor Center.
What type of Telescope will be used? You’ll observe deep-sky and planetary objects through a large 10-inch aperture Dobsonian telescope. 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. Kapohokine Adventures is the only company on the island that features a state of the art Coronado SolarMax 60 hydrogen-alpha solar telescope for safe views of the sun.
What will I see? 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!

Tour Intinerary Highlights (Kona / Waikoloa / Kohala Departures)

Mauka Meadows Coffe Farm: Includes a Coffee Farm Tour; Hawaiian- style BBQ dinner; Coffee, honey, and teas tasting. The Mauka Meadows has the largest infinity pool in Hawaii with sweeping views of Kailua Bay below.
Daytime Solar Viewing: safely watch the sun come alive in true color with vibrant solar flares, sunspots, prominences and any other current activity weather permitting.
Drive by Saddle Road: Drive by the famous 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.
Mauna Kea Stargazing: Observe the start under one of the darkest and most pristine skies on planet Earth! Afterward, warm up with Kona coffee, hot chocolate, and a delicious dessert.

Tour Intinerary Highlights (Hilo Departure)

Rainbow Falls: Visit the most popular waterfall in Hawaii and take your postcard picture in front of an 80-foot tall twin falls system. Look for the rainbow effect that gives the waterfall its name!
Wailuku River Boiling Pots: Impressive photo opportunities are often found here when the river “boils” through depressions in the rocks.
Kaumana Caves: 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.
Daytime Solar Viewing: safely watch the sun come alive in true color with vibrant solar flares, sunspots, prominences and any other current activity weather permitting.
Drive by Saddle Road: Drive by the famous 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.
Mauna Kea Stargazing: Observe the start under one of the darkest and most pristine skies on planet Earth! Afterward, warm up with Kona coffee, hot chocolate, and a delicious dessert.

Packages

From Kona - Coffee Farm, Hawaiian BBQ, Solar Viewing & Stargazing

USD 197.90

From Hilo - Rainbow Falls, Lava Tube, Picnic Dinner, Solar Viewing & Stargazing

USD 176.96

Currently selected

From Kona - Coffee Farm, Hawaiian BBQ, Solar Viewing & Stargazing

USD 197.90

Child (Age 0-12)

USD 192.67

Child (Age 0-12)

USD 192.67

Overview

Afternoon

6.5 - 9 hour(s)

Available Daily

With pick-up

Not Accessible

Inclusions: Beverages / Coffee / Expert guide / BBQ dinner / Picnic deli-style dinner / Hot chocolate & sweet treats / Warm jacket / Coffee farm visit / Solar telescope / Stargazing at a secret location

Schedule

View All

13:30-15:30

Pick-up & Check-in

Visit Mauka Meadows - A Traditional Kona Coffee Farm (1 hr)

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Sun Observation with a Solar Telescope (30 mins)

Hawaii_Big Island_Kapohokine_Mauna Kea_1057755827

Travel through Saddle Road (1 hr)

Stargazing at a secret location (1.5 hrs)

Hawaii_Big Island_Kapohokine_Mauna Kea Stargazing

Sweet Treats & Hot Chocolate

22:00-22:15

Check-out & Drop-off

Read reviews

Transportation add-ons

Round-trip from Kona / Waikoloa

free x per person

Location

Pick-up/Check-in Time & Location

13:30-15:30

Kailua-Kona - TBA

Drop-off/Check-out Time & Location

22:00-22:15

Kailua-Kona - Specific hotel

Notes

Restrictions

This activity is not wheelchair accessible.
If less than 4 participants are booked, the activity may not operate.
Children of all ages can participate in this activity.
Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Because of high altitude, this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy or poor health.

Booking requirements (# of participants, vehicles, hours, etc.)

You can book a maximum of 13.

Additional notes

The activity schedule is subject to change or cancellation due to weather or traffic conditions.
The menu is subject to change without notice.
Gratuity is not included in the price.
The weather in this area is unpredictable and the temperature could drop fast. It is highly recommended to bring jacket, long pants and closed toe shoes.
This tour does NOT visit summit of Mauna Kea or Mauna Kea Visitor Center.
Due to COVID-19, all guests must follow these policies:
1. Wear a face mask
2. Pass a mandatory health screening at the entrance
3. Practice Social Distancing when possible
4. Provide contact information when booking for contact tracing purposes

Currently selected

From Hilo - Rainbow Falls, Lava Tube, Picnic Dinner, Solar Viewing & Stargazing

USD 176.96

Child (Age 0-12)

USD 171.72

Child (Age 0-12)

USD 171.72

Overview

Afternoon

7 - 8 hour(s)

Available Daily

With pick-up

Not Accessible

Inclusions: Beverages / Coffee / Expert guide / BBQ dinner / Picnic deli-style dinner / Hot chocolate & sweet treats / Warm jacket / Lava tube cave visit / Solar telescope / Stargazing at a secret location

Schedule

View All

14:30-15:00

Pick-up & Check-in

Visit Rainbow Falls (20 mins)

Wailuku River & Boiling Pots (20 mins)

Hawaii_Big Island_Kapohokine_Wailuku River

Explore Kaumana Caves & Picnic Dinner (1 hr)

Sun Observation with a Solar Telescope (30 mins)

Travel through Saddle Road (1 hr)

Stargazing at a secret location (1.5 hrs)

Sweet Treats & Hot Chocolate

22:00-22:30

Check-out & Drop-off

Read reviews

Transportation add-ons

You can choose either Pick-up (additional fee) or Check-in (free).

Round-trip from Hilo

free x per person

Location

Pick-up/Check-in Time & Location

Drop-off/Check-out Time & Location

Notes

Restrictions

This activity is not wheelchair accessible.
If less than 4 participants are booked, the activity may not operate.
Children of all ages can participate in this activity.
Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Because of high altitude, this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy or poor health.

Booking requirements (# of participants, vehicles, hours, etc.)

You can book a maximum of 13.

Additional notes

The activity schedule is subject to change or cancellation due to weather or traffic conditions.
The menu is subject to change without notice.
Gratuity is not included in the price.
The weather in this area is unpredictable and the temperature could drop fast. It is highly recommended to bring jacket, long pants and closed toe shoes.
This tour does NOT visit summit of Mauna Kea or Mauna Kea Visitor Center.
Due to COVID-19, all guests must follow these policies:
1. Wear a face mask
2. Pass a mandatory health screening at the entrance
3. Practice Social Distancing when possible
4. Provide contact information when booking for contact tracing purposes

Traveler's photos

(21)

Traveler's photos

(21)

Reviews

Overall rating

5.00

(4)

Unforgettable experience. Excellent services.

2020/01/20 Families with Young Children Ping

Unforgettable experience. Amazing views. Excellent services.

Great experience

2020/01/01 Solo Travelers Guilietta Kim

It was very impressive that a tour guide has shared a lot of stories about cultures of Hawai'i during the entire tour program. The courses were absolutely nice. The view of a coffee farm was so beautiful and the dinner w...

Making Astronomy Fun!

2019/06/14 Couples Nicole

I decided on this tour/adventure package because it’s something that really interests me. From the coffee, to the excellent bbq picnic, the solar view of the sun setting, and of course the stars! Todd was our guide and h...

Read all reviews (4)