Since 1983, the team behind Mauna Kea Sunrise, Sunset & Stargazing Tours has been guiding curious travelers to the 13,800-foot summit of Hawaiʻi’s most storied peak. As one of the few operators officially permitted on Mauna Kea, t...
This Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tour delivers an unforgettable experience that guests consistently describe as breathtaking and magical. The guides, particularly John and Shin, earn exceptional praise for their astronomy expertise, warmth, and dedication to making every tour memorable. They handle both English and Japanese-speaking groups seamlessly, and reviewers love how they go above and beyond—spotting rare moonbows, capturing stunning Milky Way photos with professional equipment, and using computerized telescopes to reveal stars and galaxies in incredible detail. The comfortable Mercedes van, thoughtful touches like hot chocolate and local snacks, and proper cold-weather gear all contribute to a well-organized adventure. What really stands out is how the guides adapt to conditions. Even when weather doesn't cooperate for stargazing, they find creative ways to make the experience special, whether that's photographing volcanic glows or seeking out alternative viewing spots. Multiple reviewers mention this as a top highlight of their entire Big Island visit, with families and couples alike treasuring the professional photos and the rare opportunity to experience complete silence under a star-filled sky. The attention to individual guests and their backgrounds—like photographing southern hemisphere visitors with the North Star—shows genuine care that turns a great tour into something truly personal.
Absolute wonderful experience on the Sunset and Stars tour with John as our guide. Going to the summit of Mauna Kea was a breathtaking experience for my Wife and I and absolutely a must do when visiting the big island. What made it even more amazing was John our tour guide. Unfortunately, we didn't have great weather for the star gazing (high overcast) but John, determined to make the most of the tour for us was able to take an amazing night photo with kilauea volcano erupting glow in the background. Spectacular.
Michael Elam
a week ago
Absolute wonderful experience on the Sunset and Stars tour with John as our guide. Going to the summit of Mauna Kea was a breathtaking experience for my Wife and I and absolutely a must do when visiting the big island. What made it even more amazing was John our tour guide. Unfortunately, we didn't have great weather for the star gazing (high overcast) but John, determined to make the most of the tour for us was able to take an amazing night photo with kilauea volcano erupting glow in the background. Spectacular.
Michael Elam
a week ago