Top 6 Stargazing Spots Near Kona, Hawaii

Experience a cosmic night you’ll never forget with a Mauna Kea stargazing adventure led by passionate local guides. Kick off with a comfy van ride from Kona or Waikoloa, enjoy a chill picnic dinner at the visitor center, and gear up for breathtaking sunset views at the summit. As the sky darkens, dive into a mind-blowing stargazing session with pro telescopes at 3,600+ meters elevation. No need to stress the planning or crazy mountain drive—this guided tour’s got your back with all the gear, stories, and epic views included. It’s an iconic Big Island must-do for nature lovers, space geeks, and anyone craving an off-the-grid kind of magic.

Ready for an epic Big Island day trip? Kick things off with fresh-brewed Kona coffee at a local farm, stroll a black sand beach, and snack at the southernmost bakery in the U.S. Then head to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for lava-sculpted landscapes and finish strong with dinner and guided stargazing under Mauna Kea’s night skies. With meals, entry fees, and gear all included, this 11-hour adventure is the perfect mix of chill vibes and jaw-dropping sights. Let’s go make some core memories—Hawaii style.

Chase a next-level adventure to the top of Mauna Kea in a comfy luxury van with a guide who drops fun facts about island geology and Hawaiian culture. After a dinner stop to fuel up and adjust to the altitude, you’ll climb nearly 14,000 feet to catch a surreal sunset above the clouds. Once darkness sets in, cozy up with hot cocoa and stargaze through powerful telescopes as your guide uses lasers to point out constellations and galaxies. Between the mind-blowing views and epic night sky, this Mauna Kea summit tour is a cosmic experience you won’t forget. Just remember—this mountain isn’t just iconic, it’s sacred, so come with awe and respect.

Ready for a next-level cosmic experience? This Big Island stargazing tour is the only one that lets you check out both the sun and the stars in one epic adventure. Cruise Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, enjoy a chill dinner, then catch unreal views of the sun through a solar telescope before switching to a massive Dobsonian to peep galaxies, planets, and nebulae as night falls. You’ll hang out on Mauna Kea’s slopes—not the summit—with some seriously powerful gear you won’t find on other tours.

Looking for a next-level stargazing adventure? Epic Tours offers the most exclusive night-sky experience in Hawaii, led by James—an Analog-Astronaut and pro astro-photographer. You’ll travel to a remote dark-sky spot, explore galaxies and nebulas through top-tier gear, and wrap up with a Milky Way photo shoot that’s 100% Instagram-worthy. Tours only run when the moon is dim for crystal-clear skies, and your pics are included (with upgrade options too). Book early—these dreamy nights under the stars fill up fast!

Head up to one of Hawaii’s most sacred spots for an unforgettable Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tour! Kick off the evening with a cozy dinner in a tucked-away spot before making your way to the icy summit, where epic views and world-class telescope domes await. After soaking in the golden hour glow, you’ll head down for some stargazing with a high-powered Celestron telescope. Hot tea, brownies, and expert cosmic commentary round out the night under the stars. Just a heads-up: it gets chilly (like 32°F/0°C), the tour runs from Kona/Waikoloa only, and kids under 13 can’t join due to the altitude.

Fuel up with a hot meal before heading to the summit for jaw-dropping views of Mauna Loa and world-famous observatories. As the stars come out, your guide sets you up with a powerful telescope, hot tea, and cozy parkas at the Visitor Center for a dreamy night under the stars. Heads up: it’s freezing up there (literally), kids under 13 can’t join, and the tour only departs from Kona & Waikoloa. Snow is a maybe, but the stargazing is always next-level.