Big Island Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stargazing
Overview
Experience the magic of Mauna Kea at nearly 14,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
Watch a breathtaking sunset from the summit, then enjoy expert-led stargazing with a professional telescope in one of the world’s best night-sky locations.
This small-group tour has been operated continuously since 1989 by a trusted, fully permitted local company. Travel in luxury 4WD vans with professionally trained guides who prioritize safety, comfort, and personalized service.
Learn about the cultural significance of Mauna Kea and the wonders of the universe—where ancient Hawaiians believed the Earth meets the heavens.
Heavy-duty parkas, local snacks, and hot chocolate are included. Convenient pickups in Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa Beach Resort.
What's Included
- Snacks All local snacks. Hot chocolate is served during the stargazing.
- A required $20/person passenger fee for the Center for Maunakea Stewardship (University of Hawaiʻi) to support the care and preservation of the mountain's natural and cultural resources.
- Private stargazing with a professional telescope
- Heavy-duty hooded parka (If you need an XL parka, please request the quantity at booking.)
- Bottled water Bring your own water. Drinking water will reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
- Please bring your own warm layers—sweater/hoodie, warm socks, beanie, and gloves.
- Must wear toe closed shoes and long pants.
- Tips for your guide are greatly appreciated.
Meeting Location
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Mauna Kea Summit
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Mauna Kea
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Age restriction: 13-80 yrs old (Guests ages 13–17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult)
- Guests with heart conditions, lung disease, or serious medical issues are not allowed.
- Pregnant guests are not allowed.
- Guests who have been scuba diving within 24 hours are not allowed.
- Severely obese guests (BMI over 40.0) are not allowed.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The tour may be canceled before departure due to weather or road closures. If that happens, you’ll be offered a new date or a full refund.
- If the weather turns unfavorable during the tour, we’ll still do our best to provide a great experience. If we cannot reach the summit due to road closures or other unforeseen issues, you’ll receive a full refund or credit.
- Alcohol beverages are not allowed.
- Drunk or intoxicated guests are not allowed.
- A minimum of 3 guests is required to hold a tour. If we have fewer than 3 bookings 24 hours before departure, the tour will be canceled unless existing guests choose to pay the difference.
- Pets, including service animals, are not allowed to ensure the comfort and safety of guests with allergies or animal phobias.
- No meals are included. Please eat a full meal before the tour. We do provide some nice local snacks.
- A cup of hot chocolate will be served during the stargazing.
- If a guest becomes ill or injured and cannot continue, the group may need to adjust the itinerary. Anyone leaving the tour must be accompanied by a companion (if applicable) and arrange their own return transportation at their own expense.
- If you need an XL parka, please request the quantity at booking.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Big Island Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stargazing?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-5618799P3
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.97 out of 5 stars based on 33 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Hawaii customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the activity start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the activity start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the activity local time (HST).
- This activity requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Snacks. All local snacks. Hot chocolate is served during the stargazing.
- A required $20/person passenger fee for the Center for Maunakea Stewardship (University of Hawaiʻi) to support the care and preservation of the mountain's natural and cultural resources.
- Private stargazing with a professional telescope.
- Heavy-duty hooded parka (If you need an XL parka, please request the quantity at booking.).
- Bottled water. Bring your own water. Drinking water will reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
- Please bring your own warm layers—sweater/hoodie, warm socks, beanie, and gloves.
- Must wear toe closed shoes and long pants.
- Tips for your guide are greatly appreciated.
This activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 13..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Big Island Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stargazing is as follows:
- Age restriction: 13-80 yrs old (Guests ages 13–17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult)
- Guests with heart conditions, lung disease, or serious medical issues are not allowed.
- Pregnant guests are not allowed.
- Guests who have been scuba diving within 24 hours are not allowed.
- Severely obese guests (BMI over 40.0) are not allowed.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Big Island Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stargazing will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Hawaii. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- SnacksAll local snacks. Hot chocolate is served during the stargazing.
- A required $20/person passenger fee for the Center for Maunakea Stewardship (University of Hawaiʻi) to support the care and preservation of the mountain's natural and cultural resources.
- Private stargazing with a professional telescope
- Heavy-duty hooded parka (If you need an XL parka, please request the quantity at booking.)
- Bottled waterBring your own water. Drinking water will reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
- Please bring your own warm layers—sweater/hoodie, warm socks, beanie, and gloves.
- Must wear toe closed shoes and long pants.
- Tips for your guide are greatly appreciated.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Age restriction: 13-80 yrs old (Guests ages 13–17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult)
- Guests with heart conditions, lung disease, or serious medical issues are not allowed.
- Pregnant guests are not allowed.
- Guests who have been scuba diving within 24 hours are not allowed.
- Severely obese guests (BMI over 40.0) are not allowed.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The tour may be canceled before departure due to weather or road closures. If that happens, you’ll be offered a new date or a full refund.
- If the weather turns unfavorable during the tour, we’ll still do our best to provide a great experience. If we cannot reach the summit due to road closures or other unforeseen issues, you’ll receive a full refund or credit.
- Alcohol beverages are not allowed.
- Drunk or intoxicated guests are not allowed.
- A minimum of 3 guests is required to hold a tour. If we have fewer than 3 bookings 24 hours before departure, the tour will be canceled unless existing guests choose to pay the difference.
- Pets, including service animals, are not allowed to ensure the comfort and safety of guests with allergies or animal phobias.
- No meals are included. Please eat a full meal before the tour. We do provide some nice local snacks.
- A cup of hot chocolate will be served during the stargazing.
- If a guest becomes ill or injured and cannot continue, the group may need to adjust the itinerary. Anyone leaving the tour must be accompanied by a companion (if applicable) and arrange their own return transportation at their own expense.
- If you need an XL parka, please request the quantity at booking.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers
