TourTruth score 8.4 out of 10
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Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience With Photos 2 hr
TourTruth score 6.5 out of 10
Average
310 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score
- Big Island of Hawaii
- 2 hrs
- Updated November 2, 2026
Explore galaxies and star clusters on a Mauna Kea stargazing experience, then take home professional photos beneath the night sky.
About this tour
As the sky darkens above Hawaii’s volcanic slopes, stars emerge in remarkable detail. This 2-hour Mauna Kea stargazing experience pairs an astronomer’s insight with professional astrophotography at a dark-sky location on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa.
Settle into a reclining chair with hot chocolate and look up as the night sky unfolds. Your guide uses a Celestron Origin smart telescope to reveal live images of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, explaining what you’re seeing and answering questions. When available, a night vision scope and 9.25-inch telescope offer traditional eyepiece viewing.
A professional astrophotographer captures portraits beneath the stars, making the evening a memorable choice for couples, families, and special occasions. Medium-resolution digital photos are emailed within 48 hours, with high-resolution upgrades available. Parka jackets are provided, though temperatures can reach 30°F, so dress warmly and wear pants and closed-toed shoes. The meeting location can change, so text the provider 6 hours before your tour for the latest details.
Book your Mauna Kea stargazing experience and see the night sky through a telescope and in photos you can keep.
Highlights
- Watch stars emerge from a dark-sky location on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa
- Explore galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters through a smart telescope
- Relax in a reclining chair with hot chocolate
- Pose beneath the night sky for professional astrophotography
- Receive medium-resolution digital photos by email within 48 hours
What's included
Included
- Parka jackets
- Professional photographer guide
- All activities
- Complimentary medium-resolution photos
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Optional photo upgrades
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
-
View on ViatorViator
4.77 / 5 · 276 reviews
-
View on GetYourGuideGetYourGuide
3.97 / 5 · 34 reviews
What reviewers mention
Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.
Often praised
Common complaints
Important information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Wear pants and closed-toed shoes; temperatures can reach 30°F, so dress warmly
- The tour operates in all weather conditions; parka jackets are provided but may not be sufficient for everyone
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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- Not recommended for travelers with mobility or ambulatory restrictions, back, heart, or hearing problems, or other serious medical conditions
- Pregnant travelers should consult their doctor beforehand
- Service animals are allowed
- Text the provider 6 hours before the tour for the updated meeting location, which may be on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa
- International travelers should provide a local contact number when available
- Provide an email address to receive photos
Frequently asked questions
Where does the tour meet?
The meeting location may vary between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Text the provider 6 hours before the tour for the updated location.
When will I receive my photos?
Medium-resolution digital photos are emailed within 48 hours. High-resolution upgrades are available.
What should I wear?
Wear pants and closed-toed shoes, and dress warmly. Temperatures can reach 30°F; parka jackets are provided but may not be enough for everyone.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
What will I see through the telescope?
A smart telescope displays live images of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Traditional eyepiece viewing may also be available.
How this score is calculated
This tour scores 4.77 on Viator and 3.97 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.
How the score works and rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.5.
Provider rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
How many tours in Big Island of Hawaii have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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4.8
- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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