Mauna Kea Stargazing: Summit Sunset & Stars

Discover Mauna Kea’s summit at sunset, then stargaze with experts. Enjoy luxury travel, cultural insights, and celestial wonders. Book your adventure now.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station - Visitors can take time at the Visitor Center to safely adjust to the high altitude while exploring the gift shop and educational displays that showcase Maunakea’s world-class observatories, unique environment, and rich cultural significance.
  • Mauna Kea - Discover the…
What's Included
  • Entrance fees
  • Private stargazing with a professional telescope
  • Heavy-duty hooded parka (If you need an XL parka, please request the quantity at booking.)
  • Snacks
What's Not Included
  • Please bring your own warm layers—sweater/hoodie, warm socks, beanie, and gloves.
  • Must wear toe closed shoes and long pants.
  • Bottled water
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Discover the enchantment of Mauna Kea, towering nearly 14,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
Witness a stunning sunset from the peak, followed by expert-led stargazing using computerized professional telescopes at one of the world’s premier night-sky locations.
This intimate group tour has been continuously operated since 1989 by a reputable, fully…

Location
Queens' Marketplace
Waikōloa Beach Drive
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(6 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Robertdw4394vm
Feb 22, 2026
A great trip to the top of Hawaii - We had a super experience. Our host/guide John was a great guy. He was knowledgeable and informative about all aspects of the venture ... geography, history, nature, and all our other questions. The stargazing session at the visitor center after sunset was really special and interesting. We were very happy we signed up for the guided tour. We would have missed a lot if we had done this on our own.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daydream15572768832
Feb 19, 2026
Long day, but worth it for a different experience! - If you’re looking for a capable, knowledgeable and caring guide to take you to the highest point in the Pacific for a beautiful sunset followed by a sky full of stars, ask for John. His knowledge about this volcano, its history, Hawaiian culture and especially star knowledge is amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tomandcarrie
Feb 10, 2026
Outstanding sunset and stargazing - What a magnificent way to watch the sunset. Then to have an extraordinary stargazing with our guide, John, afterwards was phenomenal. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone but dress warmly. They do supply a parka though.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
565sonjas
Jan 25, 2026
Great tour - We booked last minute when our other tour cancelled due to weather and couldn't fit us in before we left. Taikobo was able to fit us in a couple of nights later. It was a convenient start to the tour meeting at their building in Kona - they have parking in their own lot so no need to struggle to find or pay for parking. The vehicle was a very comfortable Mercedes 4-wheel drive van (I think they can fit 9 passengers but another family couldn't make it last minute, so it was just us). The driver was professional and informative (he talked much of the time while driving and answered all our questions). We felt very safe on the road to the summit. They had local snacks for us to eat when we wanted, which was great. We had a big lunch before starting the tour and didn't need to eat at 3:00 at the visitor center like many tours do. We had a nice stop at the visitor center to acclimate and look around. At the summit, they provided very warm parkas - it was very cold up there! After sunset we want back down and were able to do star gazing - it was a beautiful, clear night. The telescope they use is great. We're able to see Jupiter and Saturn along with a nebula and galaxy. The drive back home was uneventful and most of us napped. It was a fun day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B588bjdianal
Dec 31, 2025
Amazing Tour with a wonderful guide - Absolute favorite activity during my week on Big Island (and I also did manta ray snorkel, tour around the island, and catamaran snorkel). This was our first activity of the week and John made it so no other tour could compare. John was an engaging and informative guide. He respected Mauna Kea and led us in a Hawaiian greeting. We were provided parkas since it was in the 30s on the summit. Be aware, the summit can be a bit rough with altitude sickness despite stopping at the Visitor Center at 9,000 feet for an hour to acclimate. The view from the summit/above the clouds was amazing regardless. The view of the stars was breathtaking as he showed us the constellations. He brought his telescope and we saw Saturn and other constellations. He also took a great photo of us with the stars. I very much appreciated the local Hawaiian snacks he provided (cookies, bread, Taro chips, mac nuts) vs Costco chips/granola bars we received on other tours. Thank you John! So glad we went on this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $320
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).