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Maunakea Stellar Explorer: Night Sky and Solar Observing with Experienced Astronomers in Hawaii
3.9
90 Ratings
Kailua-Kona
Embark on a thrilling adventure with Maunakea Stellar Explorer in Hawaii. Experience night sky and solar observing with experienced astronomers. All ages welcome!
Duration:
6 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Kailua-Kona - The adventure starts with dinner.
- Saddle Road - 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. Lastly, your guide will take you to one of our preferred locations on Mauna Kea for nighttime stargazing.
- Mauna Kea - 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! Afterwards, warm up with Kona coffee and hot chocolate before returning to your resort. Warm jackets provided. This tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit out of deference to Native Hawaiian concerns.
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- Driver/guide
- Dinner
- Jackets
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
For a celestial adventure, immerse yourself in the Maunakea Stellar Explorer offered by KapohoKine Adventures. This unique star exploration journey on the Big Island combines the thrill of nocturnal astronomical viewing and the safety of daytime solar observations, welcoming all ages. Our team of in-house astronomers boast the finest expertise in Hawaii, including a founder of the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Centre who managed it for 10 years. Other team members have contributed to notable astronomy publications and have experience working in globally recognized observatories.
Location
Kailua-Kona
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.9
(90 Ratings)
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Julia_m
Jun 3, 2024
Stars at night - Excellent tour food was great. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and yes parkas were provided. It was 29 degrees. We were not at the summit or at the visitor center if that is where you wanted to be please read all of the descriptions
Review provided by Viator
Relax693916
May 3, 2024
Great trip - Our guide Marcus was amazing. He was very knowledgeable about the stars and Hawaiian history. Super friendly and nice.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steve_g
Feb 20, 2024
Highly recommend! - Awesome star viewing and Marcus our trip guide was amazing!! He was very knowledgeable about astronomy and the formation of the universe
Review provided by Viator
Lauren_p
Jan 6, 2024
Can’t recommend enough!! - Fantastic tour!! We saw the rings on Saturn, the bands on Jupiter and much more!!! Guides are so knowledgeable and really fun to be around!! This telescope is amazing!!!!
Review provided by Viator
Kathryn
Oct 21, 2023
Stellar Sam and stargazing - We were very fortunate to have great weather for viewing some constellations and planets (Saturn and Jupiter were viewable) with the solar telescope. Our guide was Sam who brought his environmental science background to the tour and was also incredibly knowledgeable about the local culture and, of course, astronomy. Also very thankful for the coats they provided, it was below 50 degrees at our stargazing point! A must do excursion!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mary_m
Oct 5, 2023
Enchanting - Marcus is a very knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. ,.............forcing a minimal of words in this rating isnt a good idea.
Review provided by Viator
Cheryl_k
Aug 21, 2023
Great experience - Seeing Saturn and getting a video of the moon through the Dobsonian telescope. Seeing the Milky Way against the really dark sky. Our tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable and funny. Make sure you wear warm clothes: sweat pants, warm socks. Warm jackets are e provided and were much appreciated. Worth the money.
Review provided by Viator
Sorbrique_g
Dec 29, 2023
New to Stargazing—I’d recommend - Marcus was an excellent guide! He was friendly and knowledgeable about stars and Hawaii.
The meal was decent, typical tour food, maybe a touch better.
My only complaint was having 20 people (we had another tour w/us) to one guide made things a little long, but we made do and were able to see some very cool things.
If you have never had the opportunity to see the night sky through a telescope, would recommend this trip. If you have, you can skip it.
Review provided by Viator
Ron_m
Dec 14, 2023
I especially liked that... - I especially liked that the guide used his laser pointer to highlight the stars and constellations he was talking about.
Review provided by Viator
Christopher_s
Sep 4, 2023
Worst experience - No star-gazzng...rained whole time...driver drove around very slow to extend time...was obvious by 6:30 trip was a bust...yet until 8:30 to get back to hotel...I understand one can't c9ntrol weather but weather forecast prediczed clouds throughout night ...and vedor persisted with trip...I WANT A REFUND...my wife is a heavy weight publicist and this experience is going to end up all over the internet and beyond if you cannot return f7nds...have been coming to Hawaii for decades and this was THE WORST
Review provided by Viator
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