(All Reviews) Mauna Kea Summit, Big Island (Hawaii Top Sights & Attractions), Hawaii tours & activities, fun things to do in Hawaii

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Einzigartiges Erlebnis

Reviewed by: Mieli

Viel Zeit auf dem Gipfrl vor Sonnenuntergang, um alles anzuschauen, toller Sternenhimmel mit Erklärungen, sehr gute Organisation , super Guide, James

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Families
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/08/20
Activity Date:	2025/08/18

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Great memories were made!

Reviewed by: TL

Tour guide was informative. Ride was comfortable. BLT bacon was really good. Veggie burger was more filling than the BLT. Stargazing was minimal due to full moon but fun. Best not to go during around full moon time. Download a star app like Night Sky to help enhance the experience. Dress for cold wind. You are going to want to take a lot of pictures so if if your hands get cold easily, bring mitts!

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Families
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/08/09
Activity Date:	2025/08/06

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Excellent Tour Guide, Some disappointment

Reviewed by: L&H

No doubt of the beauty of Hawaii and God’s Creation. Tour Guide (Francis) was excellent…knowledgeable, fun and caring (we had one participant having trouble with altitude so had to return to welcome center taking about 1 hour of the group’s time to go back and travel back up, however, care extended by Francis is to be commended).
Disappointed in that part of the tour was to look through a telescope (explicitly listed as part of the tour) but that did not happen. Vans were “dated” but did the job. Overpriced in our opinion of what the experience provided.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/08/07
Activity Date:	2025/08/02

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Terrific trip up the volcano!

Reviewed by: MC

We had a fantastic time on the nighttime stargazing and sunset tour with James! We learned so much and had a memorable night - the sandwiches, sunset and stars were top notch!

Awesome sunset

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Families
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/08/03
Activity Date:	2025/07/30

Mauna Kea Evening Stargazing & Daytime Solar Viewing Tour with Dinner

Good guide but fell slightly short of expectations

Reviewed by: Mama Bear

I was disappointed with this tour for lack of hospitality, communication and false advertising. The tour guide is not an astronomer or someone who writes articles for astronomy mazagines or even a local Hawaiian. They are very knowledgeable, patient and friendly guides but also lack communication with the tour company. For instance, we had 10 people in our tour and they were told only 6 so he wasn’t prepared with enough hot chocolate or parkas. It may also be the reason he didn’t offer snacks or water to anyone and tried to get more people to drink coffee at 9 pm! I was also disappointed that we didn’t go to the Kona coffee farm as advertised in the itinerary and confirmed when they called. You also have to select your meal prior to arrival or seeing the options which is undesirable. Finally, when they called to confirm they told me not to bring anything - no water, jacket, hiking boots etc since all would be provided and tennis shoes were enough. First off, I came prepared with everything in my luggage but since they said not to bring a big bag or too many items we were underprepared. My son was freezing because the parkas are huge and they were passed out but left for people to get when they were freezing. Our tennis were covered in dirt and sand because we stopped at a beach and walked the sand. I would have to be informed in advance that we’re going to a beach and not the coffee farm and to have proper attire. The stargazing was nice and we saw a lot of stars and constellations but it was not pleasant because of the lack of preparation. I do not recommend this tour. If you book, don’t listen to their advice and come prepared with attire, water and snacks on top of the exorbitant price you pay. Or you could ask to go with the tour that matches the advertisement but I tried that already. Heed the warning. I didn’t and while we don’t regret it we regret the company.

Tips and suggestions

All of the above. Confirm, confirm, confirm!

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	From Kona & Waikoloa - Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner
Attended as:	Families with Young Children
Weather:	Rainy
Posted on:	2025/08/01
Activity Date:	2025/07/31

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Pictures don’t do justice!

Reviewed by: Johnsons

Such an amazing experience! Pictures don’t do justice of being up so high above the clouds. The sunset was gorgeous, the sandwich was good, the stars were incredible!

Shoyo was very kind and took great pictures!

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/07/30
Activity Date:	2025/07/28

Mauna Kea Evening Stargazing & Daytime Solar Viewing Tour with Dinner

Magical stargazing tour!

Reviewed by: Steph

We are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers, we had a great time with our guide at the stargazing tour. Our highlights were the lava caves, watching the sunset as well as stargazing. The sky was unbelievable and we learned a ton with our very knowledgeable guide.

Highly recommend.

Tips and suggestions

I would skip the boiling pots when water level is low as there is nothing to see.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	From Hilo - Rainbow Falls, Kaumana Caves, Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner
Attended as:	Families
Weather:	Cloudy
Posted on:	2025/07/20
Activity Date:	2025/07/18

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Need to know basis

Reviewed by: DanMar

Just got back from our tour, but if you're questioning of splurging, take these into consideration: these are based on my experience tonight.

1) liking the convenience of a tour guide driving to the summit. But if the sunset view is what you’re after- you can drive to the summit yourself. Everyone follows the rule of leaving the observatory after sunset. Totally understandable. STUNNNNING views. Keep in mind it’s gravel paved and quite treacherous at night- but doable.

2) huge upset: if stargazing is what you’re after- like me. I was disappointed that they only show THREE views through telescope. Three. That’s it. First was a cluster of random stars. Second, after math of a super nova. Third was millions of stars what believed to be pulled in by a black hole. Amazing stuff, but that’s all you get. I was reading other previous reviews and they seem to enjoy more bang for their buck. The tour guide did go over the constellations using a laser and showed some stars in the sky without needing the telescope- but if you’re wanting to see planets, stars up close, we were limited to three.

3) food was okay- salty lasagna. Just save some few bucks and bring your own food.

4) bundle up-long sleeve and pants, close toe shoes is a must. It gets cold at night. They do offer parkas and gloves.

Would I want to do this again? Not after tonight. It was overpriced for what they offer.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/07/15
Activity Date:	2025/07/14

Mauna Kea Evening Stargazing & Daytime Solar Viewing Tour with Dinner

Stargazing

Reviewed by: Duncan Miller

Sam was fantastic - really gave us all an exceptional tour of the night sky and was very knowledgable and great with the kids too!

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	From Kona & Waikoloa - Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner
Attended as:	Families with Young Children
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/07/15
Activity Date:	2025/07/13

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Really great tour and tour guide!

Reviewed by: Jonah

This was a great experience. Getting to see the observatories and look out over the clouds above everything on the Big Island was really amazing. Watching the sunset and then doing some star gazing was awesome. Very happy with everything.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Solo Travelers
Posted on:	2025/06/22
Activity Date:	2025/06/20

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Pretty good

Reviewed by: Fei

The shuttle was late by 15min because of "an issue with some customers at the previous pickup location." I personally don't think the shuttle should wait if someone is late by more than 5min.

But James was a cool tour guide, told us a lot about the island and his personal experience/stories. A funny guy to talk to and helped take pictures, gave us sandwiches, served hot cocoa, and adjusted the telescope for us when someone wanted to look at a specific star

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Solo Travelers
Weather:	Cloudy
Posted on:	2025/06/12
Activity Date:	2025/06/10

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Guides

Reviewed by: BJJ

Francis was a very knowledgeable and talkative guide. Very much enjoyed our conversations!!

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Families
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/06/09
Activity Date:	2025/06/07

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Exceptional experience , Wes was a great tour guide

Reviewed by: Abdul

Exceptional experience , Wes was a great tour guide

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Solo Travelers
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/05/31
Activity Date:	2025/05/29

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Fun trip

Reviewed by: Mags

Awesome tour! James, our guide, was excellent! Appreciated his knowledge and enthusiasm! Highly recommend!

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Families
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/05/29
Activity Date:	2025/05/27

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Had a great time

Reviewed by: Kara

As older folks we were nervous about elevation, but this tour makes sure your comfortable and taken care of.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2025/05/07
Activity Date:	2025/05/01

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Mauna Kea is a Must!

Reviewed by: Jennifer

My husband and I had a tour with James through Hawaiian Eyes Tours and absolutely loved it!! The sunset was beautiful and the star gazing was such an eye opening experience! James was very knowledgeable about the sights and Hawaiian culture. Highly recommend!

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/04/27
Activity Date:	2025/04/23

Mauna Kea Evening Stargazing & Daytime Solar Viewing Tour with Dinner

Fabulous

Reviewed by: Kara

A great tour, worth the money as the staff details the conditions of the sky during your viewing.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	From Kona & Waikoloa - Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner
Attended as:	Friends
Posted on:	2025/03/27
Activity Date:	2025/03/16

Mauna Kea Evening Stargazing & Daytime Solar Viewing Tour with Dinner

Incredible

Reviewed by: The Bushnell family

One of the highlights of our trip! Sam was fantastic - incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Not only were we awed by the universe, Sam helped us understand Hawaii as well. Keep up the great work.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	From Kona & Waikoloa - Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2025/03/26
Activity Date:	2025/03/24

Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour Experience with Free Professional Photos - Epic Tours

See you in the sky

Reviewed by: See you in the sky

This was an absolutely amazing experience and I highly recommend! The view is stunning- truly unbelievable. You feel as if you have been transported to another world.

Tips from someone who has been there-
Dress as if you are visiting a frozen tundra. Its cold.

Take someone you love with you so you have a witness to what you are seeing- this helps to ease your mind from thinking its a dream. You will be in disbelief of the awesome beauty.

Listen to a great song while you star gaze- here’s mine.

https://open.spotify.com/track/6Z12ukmkHnMUcdcMr8nz3V?si=DG1Wjp0lQcKaP57JfB58mA

I saw sparks

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Stargazing Tour - Starting times between 07:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Attended as:	Couples
Posted on:	2025/03/15
Activity Date:	2025/02/22

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Great experience !!

Reviewed by: Quinn

Great experience overall, our guide James is very nice, he is knowledgeable and funny, definitely would recommend it to my friends

Tips and suggestions

The mic connection be having issues sometimes.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/02/27
Activity Date:	2025/02/25

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Amazing experience. Must do

Reviewed by: Hawaii lovers

This was truly awe inspiring. It is absolutely a must do, our tour guide Wes was incredible. We can’t rave enough about it

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/02/15
Activity Date:	2025/02/13

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Memorable and Informative

Reviewed by: Oscar

Riding up to the top of Mauna Kea with James, our tour guide and driver, was interesting and entertaining! James is very knowledgeable about the Hawaiian culture and history; volcanic geology; the telescopes on Mauna Kea; and the night sky. And he always paid close attention to all his customers. A better telescope would have made this tour perfect.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/02/07
Activity Date:	2025/02/03

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Cold but gorgeous

Reviewed by: Obarc

James was a great tour guide, very informative. Didn't care for the sandwich choices. Was nice to have the hot chocolate though. The view was amazing.

Sunset
Some of the telescopes

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Others
Weather:	Snowy
Posted on:	2025/02/05
Activity Date:	2025/02/02

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

The sites we went to were excellent.

Reviewed by: AG

Sites we went to was brilliant, and transport was all ok

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Families
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/01/25
Activity Date:	2025/01/04

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Excellent Tour!

Reviewed by: Jerry

The driver-and-guide James has a rich knowledge of history of volcanoes and history of hawaii, and also provides expert guides on the stars.

Tips and suggestions

Take your warm shoes with you.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/01/20
Activity Date:	2025/01/19

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

The MOST AMAZING Tour ever - once in a life time

Reviewed by: Bob and Rita

I would not change one thing about this tour. It exceeded our expectations. the communication before the experience was excellent. Jason was an exceptional guide - so attentive! He is an expert in astronomy and Hawaiian history which we greatly enjoyed. He had a great telescope and a cool machine that takes pictures of celestial objects in the sky that he EVEN EMAILED TO US LATER! Just wow! The chicken stew was delicious too! An overall amazing, once in a lifetime experience. Thank you! Rita and Bob

Tips and suggestions

None - great communication too!

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/01/20
Activity Date:	2025/01/10

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Amazing stargazing!

Reviewed by: Joe

My tour guide, James, was great! He was informative, kind, patient and made the experience fun. Seeing the sunset on a volcano summit and then stargazing afterwards is a bucket list thing that everyone should do! Unforgettable!!!

Tips and suggestions

The altitude is a bit much. I felt dizziness several times, but it was manageable.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Solo Travelers
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2025/01/06
Activity Date:	2024/12/22

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Outstanding experience!

Reviewed by: Seema

We had a wonderful time with James! He explained things thoroughly! He did not try to rush us in any way, and took lots of nice pictures! I would highly recommend taking stargazing tour with Hawaiian eyes!

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Families
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2024/12/29
Activity Date:	2024/12/25

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Breathtaking sunset and star gaze!

Reviewed by: Ziying C

We took the tour on 12/24/2024. It was a full car but very friendly and nice guests together! The eruption was very stunning and the star gaze - wow!
Our guide James is very helpful patient and good at photo shooting as well. He can also speak a little Japanese. Parka jackets saved our lives for sure.
The overall trip experience was excellent. The sandwich was surprisingly good as well.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2024/12/26
Activity Date:	2024/12/24

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Awesome experience

Reviewed by: Swapped

Host was really good, very polite and understanding.

The sandwiches were good, and the hot coco while stargazing, was delicious cherry on top of the whole experience.

The only issue I would complain about is the vehicle, because the space was really cramped up and it was a struggle to get in and out of the vehicle. Many from the back of the vehicle complained about the air conditioning, but I didn’t feel any discomfort, even though I was in the last row

Tips and suggestions

I would recommend adding details of the vehicle, and leg space availability.

Helpful

Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Weather:	Sunny
Posted on:	2024/12/23
Activity Date:	2024/12/21

Mauna Kea Summit, Big Island (Hawaii Top Sights & Attractions), Hawaii tours & activities, fun things to do in Hawaii | HawaiiActivities.com

All Reviews for Mauna Kea Summit, Big Island in Hawaii

Overall Rating

Reviews

Einzigartiges Erlebnis

Great memories were made!

Excellent Tour Guide, Some disappointment

Terrific trip up the volcano!

Good guide but fell slightly short of expectations

Pictures don’t do justice!

Magical stargazing tour!

Need to know basis

Stargazing

Really great tour and tour guide!

Pretty good

Guides

Exceptional experience , Wes was a great tour guide

Fun trip

Had a great time

Mauna Kea is a Must!

Fabulous

Incredible

See you in the sky

Great experience !!

Amazing experience. Must do

Memorable and Informative

Cold but gorgeous

The sites we went to were excellent.

Excellent Tour!

The MOST AMAZING Tour ever - once in a life time

Amazing stargazing!

Outstanding experience!

Breathtaking sunset and star gaze!

Awesome experience

Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Categories

Worldwide

Company

Partnerships

Social

Customer Care

HawaiiActivities.com is part of VELTRA, the world leader in online tours & activities services