Things to do nearMauna Kea
Mauna Kea rises from the Big Island of Hawaii as a dormant volcanic peak renowned for its world-class observatories, sacred cultural significance, and otherworldly alpine terrain.
Mauna Kea holds deep importance in Native Hawaiian culture as the dwelling place of the gods and the meeting point of sky and earth. Its name translates to "white mountain," a reference to the snow that occasionally blankets the summit in winter. Long before telescopes arrived, Hawaiian navigators used the stars visible from these heights to guide voyages across the Pacific, and the mountain itself served as a place of worship and burial for high-ranking chiefs. That cultural legacy remains central to ongoing conversations about land use and the future of the summit.
The observatories perched along the summit ridge represent some of the most powerful astronomical instruments ever built, operated by institutions from across the globe. Visitors cannot enter the observatory domes, but the sight of them clustered against a volcanic skyline at altitude is remarkable in its own right. The Visitor Information Station lower on the slope offers exhibits on both the science conducted here and the Hawaiian traditions tied to the mountain.
The terrain between the visitor station and the summit is unlike any other landscape in Hawaii, more reminiscent of the Atacama Desert or the surface of Mars than a tropical island. Cinder cones in shades of rust and ochre rise from the barren ground, and the air carries a dry, clean quality that feels almost medicinal after the humidity of the coast below. Short walks near the summit reveal sweeping views across the island and, on clear days, neighboring peaks emerging above a sea of clouds.
Mauna Kea rewards those willing to make the journey with a perspective on both the natural world and the night sky that is genuinely rare, making it one of the most memorable destinations anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Mauna Kea
Visit the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet before ascending to the summit, giving your body time to acclimatize to the altitude.
Bring warm layers even in summer, as summit temperatures can drop well below freezing and wind chill makes conditions harsher than expected.
Arrive at the summit about 30 minutes before sunset to secure a viewing spot and watch the shadow of the mountain stretch across the island below.
Try stargazing through the free public telescopes hosted by the visitor station on most clear evenings, guided by knowledgeable volunteer astronomers.
A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required above the visitor station on the unpaved summit road, so plan accordingly when renting a car on the Big Island.
Top tours & experiences near Mauna Kea
Zipline Over Umauma Falls on a 9-Line Tour
Zip 9 lines over Umauma Falls with ocean views and waterfalls
Twilight Volcano Tour at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Discover Big Island geology, local flavors, and night-sky views with a local guide
Deep Sea Big Game Fishing Charter in Hilo
Fish offshore Hilo on a private charter with a local captain
Hilo Humpback Whale Watching Cruise
Cruise the Hilo coast in search of humpback whales (seasonal)
Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour
Catch sunset from the Mauna Kea summit, then stargaze with a guided telescope
2-Hour Mauna Kea Guided Stargazing Tour
Deep-space views and included night-sky portraits with expert guides
Guided Hilo Bay Kayak Tour to Coconut Island
Paddle Hilo Bay with a local guide and visit Coconut Island
Cruise Hilo Coast Waterfalls & Sea Cliffs
Sightseeing cruise with waterfalls, sea cliffs, and Hilo history
Mauna Kea Solar Viewing & Stargazing Tour From Hilo
Solar viewing by day, stargazing by night on Maunakea from Hilo
Maunakea Sunset Stargazing Tour
Watch a Pacific sunset and explore deep-space views from Maunakea
Big Island Private Waterfall Swim Tour
A guided day of rainforest trails, island legends, and a private waterfall swim
6-Mile Guided Mountain Bike Tour at Anna Ranch
Ride steep ranch singletrack with views of three volcanoes
3-Hour Snorkel Cruise in Waikoloa
Sail, snorkel and enjoy lunch aboard a spacious catamaran
Waikoloa Whale Watching Cruise
Humpback whale watching with a free re-ride if no whales are seen
Waikoloa Sunset Sail
Sunset views, drinks, and light bites aboard the Spirit of Aloha
Kohala Coast 2-Stop Snorkel Cruise
Two reef snorkel stops with lunch along the Kohala Coast
2-Hour Kohala Coast Snorkel Cruise
Snorkel Kohala Coast reefs with crew support aboard a luxury powerboat
Kohala Coast Sunset Cruise
A relaxed luxury powerboat evening with refreshments, comfort, and small-group service
2-Hour Waikoloa Snorkel Cruise
Sail the Kohala Coast and snorkel vibrant reefs with drinks and snacks included
Kohala Coast Whale Watch Cruise
Spot humpback whales from a shaded powerboat along the Kohala Coast
Guided Mana Road Mountain Bike Tour in Waimea
Ride Mana Road’s red-clay backroads beneath Mauna Kea
Self-Guided Garden Tour in Hakalau
Explore Botanical World gardens, maze, and rainforest trails at your own pace
Mauna Kea Sunrise & Stargazing Guided Tour
Stargaze with an astronomer, then watch sunrise from Mauna Kea’s summit
Sunset Stargazing Tour at Maunakea
Help restore a native forest before sunset and stars on Maunakea
3-Hour Near-Shore Fishing Charter in Hilo
Fish calm near-shore waters off Hilo with a private captain and crew
Sunset Cruise in Hilo Bay
Cruise Hilo Bay at sunset with time to swim and bring your own drinks
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Shuttle Tour
Ride in comfort from North Hawaiʻi to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in half a day
Mauna Kea Solar Viewing & Stargazing Tour From Kona
See the sun by solar telescope, then stargaze on Mauna Kea in 6 hours
Guided Kilauea Hike In Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hike Kilauea lava flows and explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with lunch included
Full-Day Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Guided Hike
Hike Kīlauea’s 1881–2018 lava flows with lunch and dinner included
Zipline Over Umauma Falls With Waikoloa Transportation
Zipline 9 lines over Umauma Falls, with Waikoloa-area round-trip van ride
Umauma Falls 4-Line Zipline Tour
Zip across waterfalls on four dual lines with views toward Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea UFO Night Sky Tour
Explore Hawaii’s night sky with night vision and satellite tracking
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park After-Dark Tour
Explore waterfalls, black-sand shores, and volcanic landscapes after sunset