For an out-of-this-world experience, check out Maunakea Stellar Explorer from KapohoKine Adventures. This thrilling adventure is the only Big Island star tour to feature nighttime astronomical observing AND safe daytime solar viewing with all ages welcome! Our in-house stellar explorers are the best and most experienced in Hawaii with one having created the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center and operated it for a decade. Others on staff have written noted articles and reviews for well-known astronomy magazines and have worked at world-class observatories. This tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit or Visitor Center out of deference to Native Hawaiian concerns.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 20.
Start your adventure in quaint Hilo town where you’ll drive along the historic waterfront before arriving at Rainbow Falls. This iconic waterfall right off a postcard features an 80 foot tall twin waterfall system. Look for the rainbow effect that gives the waterfall its name!
Continue traveling up the Wailuku River to Boiling Pots. Impressive photo opportunities are often found here when the river “boils” through depressions in the rocks.
Explore Kaumana Caves, part of the lava tube system that brought lava 1.5 miles from Hilo-town in 1881. Take a peek inside the cathedral-like space before tucking into a quick picnic-style lunch atop the caves.
Your guide will take you to one of our preferred locations on Mauna Kea for nighttime stargazing. You’ll observe deep sky and planetary objects through a large aperture Dobsonian telescope under one of the darkest and most pristine skies on planet Earth! Our Dobsonian telescopes are a true purist’s experience to view the night sky. Their fast focal ratio enables you to see sprawling wide field views of objects that simply aren’t possible with the types of telescopes used by other tours. Depending on what is visible in the current sky and weather permitting, you’ll observe galaxies, nebula, star clusters, planets, double star systems, the moon, and much more; all the highlights and showpiece objects like you’ve never seen before!
Next, you’ll travel across Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of the tallest and most massive volcanoes on Earth. Your National Park Service trained guide will discuss the volcanology, geology, and history of these monstrous wonders, as well as providing in-depth narration on the various lava flows and flora and fauna that you’ll be passing by. While you’re taking in the breathtaking terrestrial views, your guide will prepare some heavenly views just as stunning. Setting up a state of the art solar telescope for your viewing pleasure, your specially trained guide will let you safely watch the sun come alive in true color with vibrant solar flares, sunspots, prominences and any other current activity weather permitting.
We pick up at all major hotels, please contact us at 808-964-1000 for more information.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 523 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Maunakea Stellar Explorer HILO lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
Prices start at $198 per person for this Big Island of Hawaii experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 3:30 PM.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. We pick up at all major hotels, please contact us at 808-964-1000 for more information. Pickup points include Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - A Doubletree By Hilton.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 26 participants.
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 107 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Kapohokine Adventures.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
The most knowledgeable tour guide ever! We've done lots of tours but Sam is by far the most knowledgeable guide we've ever experienced. He gave us so much interesting information on geology, astronomy and even physics. The Hawaiian Tourist Board should employ him in a very high managerial position! Thank you very much Sam.
This was a really special excursion. Stunning views of the stars and the warm hot cocoa helped with the cold weather. They provided jackets which was extremely helpful! The cave was really cool too.
Andrew was exceptionally friendly, knowledgeable, a fantastic guide/storyteller, and made us all feel safe. He is great at what he does! Seeing all the scenic parts while hearing about hawaiian history, the caves, the stars! Everything was so worth seeing. Doesn't even feel like hours had passed. Plus the hot chocolate at the end 👌 🍫.
Fun experience! Kenny was fantastic! Communications prior to the trip was great, with pick up time and location. We got to visit the sites in and around Hilo - waterfalls and caves. Then we drove up Saddle Road, had dinner and saw the stars. It was an experience, great clear night. Had a lot of fun! Plenty of snacks along the way. Would highly recommend!
This was such a fun and incredible experience. Sam was the best tour guide , very knowledgeable and fun.
Our guide Sam was fantastic. We particularly appreciated his deep knowledge of the cultural history of Hawai'i, and of the ecology and geology of the Big Island. The stargazing component was amazing, Sam talked us through so many aspects of the night sky. We highly recommend this tour!
Tori and Sass were amazing guides. Tori was very knowledgeable with all the stars and geology of the area. Sass was great listening to our 13yr old son talk her ear off and knew a lot of the history in Hawaii. We had a clear night with all the stars out and Tori had her telescope that really enhanced the experience.
I'm a little disappointed with this trick. We did not mount Maunakea as described in the description. We put 3 stars for the guide, Sam, who still put stars in our heads.
Knowledgeable and friendly guide. Trip includes some interesting site in town and then took us to star gazing site. He knew a LOT about stars. We had a good site to see sky
Great tour. Rich was an amazing guide. Very nice and knowledgeable. Rainbow falls and boiling pots was nice, it was raining heavily at these 2 locations which kind of added to the appeal for me (bring a poncho and good non slippery shoes for such a rainy day). We did not do solar gazing, just stargazing. We saw stars, the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, star clusters, Orion Nebula and andromeda galaxy with the telescope. It was great. The location of the stargazing was amazing too.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maunakea Stellar Explorer HILO | 7 hours | 4.4 (107) | $198 | |
 Maunakea Stellar Explorer from Kona | 6h 30min | 3.8 (109) | $250 | View |
 Stellar Hi Tours 15 Person Van Private Tour To Hana Or Maui | 10–11 hours | 5.0 (17) | $1,599 | View |
 Hilo Shore Excursion Volcanoes National Park and Black Sand Beach | 6 hours | 4.8 (3,117) | $169 | View |
 Hawaii Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Beaches & Hilo Highlights Day Tour | 6–7 hours | 5.0 (632) | $187 | View |
 Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens | 5h 30min | 4.9 (454) | $188 | View |
 Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History | 11 hours | 4.9 (7,132) | $276 | View |