Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Free Photos

Travel by Hawaiian Starlight with a Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour!

All of our Mauna Kea stargazing tours are led by James, an Analog-Astronaut and Pro Astro-Photographer.

Journey to a remote stargazing location, far away from the touristy spots to truly enjoy the dark skies of Hawaii.

Celestial objects and constellations will be pointed out with a powerful green laser pointer. Hear about James’ time spent as an Analog-Astronaut, ancient Polynesian navigation, and more.

View live details of deep space using the most sophisticated, light-sensitive camera/scope out of any company in Hawai’i. Take in awe-inspiring views of deep space objects like Galaxies and Nebulas that you didn’t know were possible!

Being a Pro Astro-Photographer on the Big Island and spending eight years as a guide, James knows the best spots and angles to take a few stellar photos of you with the Milky Way.

All medium-resolution photos taken throughout the trip of deep space objects and of your group are included in the price.

We are the only stargazing adventure in Hawai’i that doesn’t do stargazing tours when the moon is brighter than 30% and we give a full refund if it’s too cloudy. The other companies go out every night even during the full moon and don’t offer refunds for bad weather.

All of our time slots are hand-selected for optimal stargazing views. We also don’t go to touristy or culturally sensitive locations, which gives you the best stargazing experience possible.

We offer a stargazing guarantee. See the stars or get a full refund.

Highlights

Led by an Analog Astronaut/Astro-Photographer
Your Photo-Guides will take epic photos of you
Look at Galaxies, Nebulas and Star clusters through an Astro-Cam.
Photos from your trip are given complimentary (upgrades are available)
Only Mauna Kea stargazing tour company that avoids the bright moon

Inclusions

Comfy Parka Jackets with pockets and a hood
Complimentary photos are available for download within five days after the experience

Exclusions

Hotel pickup
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting Location and Time

Check the online calendar for specific start times and prices
We will stargaze from altitudes below 9k feet on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa
Tour companies and private individuals are not permitted to stargaze at the summit. We have our own unique locations that we go to for epic stargazing. The summit is closed 45 minutes after sunset and solely for research and cultural practices

About Your Guide

Astronomy Major at the University of Hawaii.
Currently assisting as Mission Support for the simulated moon and Mars missions at the HI-SEAS Habitat.
Formerly an Analog Astronaut and Vice Commander for the Sensoria M3 Moon Mission directed by the International MoonBase Alliance in collaboration with NASA.

Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Free Photos
Adults ‍Adult (13+)	$259
Children Ages 12 and under	$239

This is the only tour to guarantee epic stargazing or your money back!

To receive a full refund, travelers may cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start date in the local timezone. No refunds will be given after that time period.

Cancellation Policy:

(# of Passengers)

1-3 Passengers: 24 hours notice
4-6 Passengers: 48 hours notice
7-9 Passengers: 1-week notice
10+ Passengers: 2 weeks notice
Private tours: 2 weeks notice

Guests will also receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Guests that get rescheduled/delayed more than 90 minutes later because of high clouds, will have the option to cancel and get a full refund. Tours rescheduled less than 90 minutes later than the original start-time aren’t eligible for a refund. However, you will be able to try a stand-by ticket for a future tour that week if you aren’t able to join the original tour.

Detailed Weather info:

When you have a few minutes, read the following:

Mauna Kea has almost 320 clear nights a year. That being said, weather is a natural phenomenon that is largely unpredictable and can change at the last minute.

The clouds up in the mountain tend to slowly clear up after sunset. By the time your tour starts, we should be above the clouds.

Our team consults weather patterns daily. If you are worried about the weather, we recommend booking your stargazing tour early in your Hawaii vacation. If the weather doesn’t cooperate you can reschedule for another day. Rest assured we actively monitor the clouds, however feel free to Google “Mauna Kea Weather” for a weather forecast.

Epic Tours does not charge a fee for rescheduling requests made outside of 24 hours prior to your departure time. Changes or cancellations are not permitted within 24 hours prior to your tour departure. No-shows will be charged in full with no refunds.

We reserve the right to delay/cancel for any reason including, but not limited to weather, road conditions or mechanical issues. We’ll do our best to reschedule your trip based on availability or you’ll be issued a full refund. We will contact you via text at the phone number as well as the email address provided in the reservation.

Please check your texts/email frequently within 2 hours prior to your tour and make sure to provide a day of contact number on your order.

We are not responsible if we can not contact you for important information regarding the tour. We do not call international numbers. We can only contact you by the email you’ve provided. Please check your email regularly as we may have to contact you with important information regarding your trip.

While we make every effort to notify you as soon as possible for changes, your guide will make a weather decision prior to start time. In order to make accurate weather decisions we rarely cancel a trip early and our stargazing location may change due to weather conditions.