Mauna Kea Stellar Explorer from Hilo
About This Experience
Beginning at the Grand Naniloa DoubleTree Hotel in Hilo, this 7-hour tour threads together the natural beauty of the east side of the Big Island before ascending toward the dark sky. Rainbow Falls — a thundering plume dropping into a lava-rock pool — and the Kaumana Caves (ancient lava tubes) come first, setting the geological context your guide will return to throughout the night.
The drive west crosses Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of the tallest volcanoes on Earth. Your guide's narration on volcanic geology, lava flow history, and Hawaiian ecology is detailed: these are professional astronomers who have written for leading magazines and worked at world-class observatories for decades.
The night ends at a preferred Mauna Kea stargazing location chosen for minimal light pollution. A large-aperture Dobsonian telescope with a fast focal ratio reveals sweeping wide-field views — galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, planets, and double star systems — that are simply not possible with smaller instruments. Jackets are provided. This tour intentionally does not visit the Mauna Kea summit or Visitor Center out of respect for Native Hawaiian concerns.
Highlights
- Visit Rainbow Falls — a dramatic waterfall over a lava-rock pool near Hilo
- Explore the Kaumana Caves, an ancient lava tube system
- Cross the volcanic Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa
- Stargaze through a large-aperture telescope led by professional astronomers
- Enjoy wide-field views of galaxies, nebulae, and planets from a prime dark-sky site
What's Included
- ✓ Expert professional astronomer guide
- ✓ Large-aperture Dobsonian telescope
- ✓ Jackets
- ✓ All entrance fees
- ✓ Full telescope equipment
Not Included
- Visit to the Mauna Kea summit or Visitor Center (excluded out of respect for Native Hawaiian concerns)
What to Bring
- Closed-toe shoes (required)
- Long pants
- Warm jacket (provided if needed)
Good to Know & Caveats
- This tour does not visit the Mauna Kea summit or Visitor Center out of respect for Native Hawaiian concerns
- Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and bring a jacket
- Telescope equipment is fully provided
Not Suitable For
- People without reasonable mobility for cave exploration
Meeting Point
Grand Naniloa DoubleTree Hotel, 93 Banyan Drive, Hilo, HI 96720.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.5/5 by 73 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Nate is amazingly knowledgeable. We learned so much from the trip. The star gazing show is impressive — seeing Saturn and Jupiter and learning about the North Star was unforgettable.
— Lu, January
My husband and I were the only two on this tour and Richard was incredible — it felt like being shown the island with a friend. We got to see Saturn so clearly it was insane. I highly recommend this tour!
— Samantha, Septemb
Eric was an amazing guide — he knew everything about Hawaiian culture, was very knowledgeable about the different plants and did a great job explaining the stars. Very well done!
— Daniel, July 20
