Page 12) Things to Do in Big Island in 2025 – Tours & Activities | HawaiiActivities.com

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more here

All Reviews for Mauna Kea Summit Adventures & Stars in Big Island

Overall Rating

4.78 4.78 / 5

Reviews

351 reviews

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Hawaii Forest & Trail

Unbelievable!

Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous

The trip was just amazing! Our guide was very entertaining and knowledgeable. Would go back and do this again! Can't believe the view! This is one of the few trips we will never forget!

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2010/01/15

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Excellent Experience

Reviewed by: Sylvia

The tour was excellent and the guide had a lot of passion for what he does, so it was kind of contagious. He told us a lot of interesting stories making the trip very entertain. Dinner was very good and they provide us with coats and globes which we really needed. Then we had a second stop to explain to us about the telescopes and what is being measured. Finally we arrived at the top. I must admit I got very sick, but the guide had warned us that it could happen and recommended to sit on the floor. That is exactly what I did. I didn’t like the feeling at all, but I saw the most beautiful sunset that I have ever seen so it was worth the bad 5 minutes feeling LOL but I wouldn’t recommend it to people with heart problems. After the breath taking view we went down and watch the starts through a telescope. The guide explained a lot of things I didn’t know. I am not very knowledgeable about astronomy but I really learned a lot and enjoy the time. I will definitely recommend it as a must see

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2009/12/06

マウナケア山頂 サンセット&星空観測ツアー <午後/天体望遠鏡/夕食付/英語ガイド> by ハワイフォレスト&トレイル

The sky was filled with stars. 星だらけの空でした

Reviewed by: 匿名希望

Since it was an English tour, I could only understand about 50% of the guide's talk with my English skills, but it was still a starry sky worth seeing. It was the first time I had ever seen the Milky Way so clearly and vividly. I expected it to be very cold, and I heard that the only warm gear they provide is a hooded jacket and gloves, so I was glad I brought my own lower body warm clothing. I think it would be too cold for Japanese participants if they joined in jeans or similar attire. (People from Western countries tend to dress lightly, right...?) I wish I had brought a scarf as well.

As for the tour itself, they take you to the summit by car, and they use a laser pointer to explain the stars, so if you have a basic understanding of English and your goal is to see the stars at the summit, I think you can enjoy it fully. By the way, despite it being a major holiday in Japan in September, out of about 30 participants in two cars, my friend and I were the only Japanese people. There was a Japanese version of the initial waiver form, but everything else was conducted in English.

英語のツアーだったため、私の英語力ではガイドさんの話は50%くらいしか理解できませんでしたが、それでも十分、みる価値のある星空でした。あんなにはっきり太く天の川を観たのは生まれて初めてです。すごく寒いと予想していて、貸してくれる防寒具はフード付のジャケットと手袋だけと聞いていましたので、下半身の防寒具を自分で持って行っていたので助かりましたが、ジーンズなどで参加していたら、日本人では寒すぎて辛いんじゃないかと思います。(欧米の方はみなさん薄着ですよね。。。)マフラーも持っていけば良かったです。
ツアー自体は車に乗っていれば山頂まで連れていってくれるしレーザーポインターを使って星の説明もしてくれるので、英語がちょっとわかって、山頂で星をみることが目的ならば十分に楽しめると思います。
ちなみに、日本では9月の大型連休中だったにも関わらず、約30名車2台のツアー参加者のうち、日本人は私達二人だけでした。一応、最初の免責説明の署名用紙などは日本語の物がありましたが、他は全て英語での対応です。

Translated by OpenAI
Show original Translate
Helpful 1
Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2009/10/01

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Untitled

Reviewed by: Paul Kissell

this was my second time and it was better than the first time, and I brought my family this time.

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2009/08/27

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

First Time to Mauna Kea

Reviewed by: Donna

I took my 74 year old mother. We had a great time. The guides were extremely knowledgable and helpful. The food wasn't the best but that wasn't the focus of the trip. It was nice to have real metal silver ware to use while eating our of our box. I highly recommend this trip. My husband and his son will take it in two weeks.

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2009/08/07

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Untitled

Reviewed by: Gina

Awesome experience, you really feel like you are at the top of the world. Beautiful view and spectacular sunset.

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2009/01/27

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Trip

Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous

Overall, this trip was fantastic, and you'll never see another sunset and night sky like it anywhere else. However, be wary of poor food (bring a sandwich) that is offered, and make sure your bus has air conditioning that works since it can be a long ride up the side of the mountain in 90+ heat.

Pros:
Great trip
Romantic
Educational

Cons:
No air conditioning in the van
Poor food

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2008/09/22

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Absolutely Must Do

Reviewed by: SnowMan

This is the most amazing / moving / breathtaking / spectacular tour I've ever taken in my life... Growing up in a city, I've never seen a night sky like that before... i thought i was seeing a cloud, but turned out to be the Milky Way... there were literally millions of stars in the sky... made me feel that we are a part of this vast galaxy...

the drive to Mauna Kea was fun... Pat, the guide, even stopped our vehicle to see the owl by the road... I even got to see the state bird, Nene, at the Onizuka Space Center...

Mauna Kea is such a spritual place, and I will never forget the sunset.. Oh, you have to take a tour to go up to the summit since you need a permit... it's not like Haleakala on Maui where everyone can go..

Do this tour if you are going to be in the Big Island... I recommend everyone to do this tour... Just amazing!!!

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2008/06/14

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Wonderful

Reviewed by: Mary

WE had a great time. Learned alot. Our guide Gordon was wonderful.Full of information, my husband thought he had studied this in college and he had not.

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2008/06/11

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Amazing Experience and Views

Reviewed by: Karen

the stargazing afterwards was fantastic
the guides were both fantastic

absolutely perfect!

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2008/04/20

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Hawaii Forest & Trail

I'll never look at the sky the same

Reviewed by: Brad

What a wonderful tour and an incredible and knowledgeable tour guide. We will never look at the stars in the same way. Don't miss this while on the Big Island, it's an awesome trip!

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2008/04/11

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Mauna Kea Summit Adventure

Reviewed by: Angela and Dan

We booked this trip because Dan is very interested in astronomy. As we drove up to the summit we began to understand the magnificence of the view. The sunset was unbelievable and the experience unforgettable. When we came down the mountain to do our stargazing I saw the moon through the telescope as I have never seen it before. The detail of the craters was amazing. It was a beautiful evening and night. Thank you.

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2008/04/07

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Hawaii Forest & Trail

Untitled

Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous

Breath Taking Experience. Great Guide.

Helpful 1
Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2008/03/20

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Hawaii Forest & Trail

I love this trip!

Reviewed by: SFBayArea

This was a wonderful, amazing tour! The sunset view from the summit of Mauna Kea is incomparable. I felt like I was standing on top of the world. The stargazing was also wonderful. I never saw the stars so clearly before. My tour guide was Buck, who gave us a great astronomy beginner's lesson. He also was very professional, and knowledgeable about other aspects such as the culture, history, and environmental ecology of the island. I highly recommend this trip to everyone. Bring gloves and a knitted cap--you will use them. The tour company will provide parkas. Cookies and hot chocolate before stargazing was a nice touch!

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2008/03/18

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Scaling new heights

Reviewed by: Cain

WOW! What a fun evening! We were reluctant to do this activity but it turned out be the most enjoyable of all of our adventures in Hawaii. You would never know you were in Hawaii atop this beautiful snow capped mountain. The sights are unbelievable and the sunset probably the best you will ever see. The staff was very knowledgeable and accommodating. This is a must do activity in Hawaii. You won稚 be disappointed.

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2008/02/26

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Hawaii Forest & Trail

Just do it.

Reviewed by: Merla Salongcong

Alltogether it was a great experience. Everything was so well organized. Our guide, Anne, is AWESOME! She's very knowledgeable about everything we saw that evening and her enthusiasm is very much appreciated and infectious. She made the whole experience even better! Thanks guys!

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2007/10/19

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Hawaii Forest & Trail

Simply Amazing!

Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous

Having grown up in Hawaii, I have grown very fond of Mauna Kea and it is definitely my favorite place to be. This trip, though pricey, is well worth the expense. When will you ever see both the North Star and Southern Cross in one place? And when will you ever feel like you can just reach out and touch the stars. The staff is very knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions and concerns. This is by far the best tour I have ever taken on the Hawaiian islands. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a unique adventure or anyone interested in the stars!

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2007/07/27

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Untitled

Reviewed by: Kyla Sawyer

Absolutely amazing chance to view a sunset from the top of the world!

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2007/07/25

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Untitled

Reviewed by: D.ALDRIDGE

BEST NIGHTTIME ACTIVITY WE'VE EVER TAKEN PART IN !!!

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Families with Young Children
Posted on: 2007/07/10

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Hawaii Forest & Trail

Mona Kea trip is wild.

Reviewed by: Dale Spady

The drive up the volcano is "trip" in itself. The steep, winding, narrow road with a shear dropoff on the side is a pulse pounder. Be ready for the thin atmosphere at the top. Overall, it was an exciting and very unique experience that I would recommend to all adults.

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2007/07/06

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Hawaii Forest & Trail

Trip to Top of Mona Kea

Reviewed by: Carolyn S. Nelson

Over many years of taking tours, I have seen many tour guides. However Buck Pelley ranks at the top of the stack. He is incredibly knowledgeable on such topics as geology, astronomy, plant life, and the history of the area. I hope that Buck remains as a tour guide. I would take another tour with him anytime anywhere.

The only thing that I would improve on the tour is the dinner. Although I understand the challenge of bringing food to the top of Mona Kea, the fish could have been hotter with a lot less salt. While the soup was good it was barely warm. Cookies were excellent

Best wishes,
Carolyn Nelson

Helpful
Rating:
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2007/04/26
  Top Destinations

Hawaiian Islands

Big Island Categories