Mauna Kea Stargazing with Photos Included
Set out for the stars with an analog astronaut and professional astro-photographer, James. Have the stargazing experience of a lifetime, plus get your photo taken with the incredible night sky as your backdrop for free as a keepsake.
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Activity Overview
Big Island Stargazing Highlights
- 2-hour duration
- Departure time varies but is typically around 7:00 pm or 10:00 pm, see the calendar for exact times
- Does not run during a full moon or poor visibility with a 100% refund if your tour is canceled
- Meet at the Mauna Kea State Recreation Area (click here for directions)
- Maximum of 14 guests with private tours available!
- Stargaze with an expert pointing out incredible deep space objects like galaxies and nebulae
- Transportation to the meeting point is not included
- Get free photos included with your trip – your guide is also a professional astrophotographer, so you will get the chance to have an incredible photo like the one above.
- Children of all ages are welcome, but it’s best suited for 5 years and older.
Book Directly Here
“ ”Big Island Stargazing Details
Set out for an incredible night of stargazing, and to be sure you hold this memory close, you get professional photos included in the price! That’s not the only thing that makes this stargazing experience special. Some other stargazing tours are 8+ hours, keeping you out all night, but this one is a nice 2 hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy without getting restless.
Your guide and photographer is James, an analog astronaut and astrophotographer with a whole lot of amazing information and sights to share. James is committed to you having an incredible experience, so he guarantees one. You won’t find this with other stargazing tours, as they go out regardless of full moons, cloudy skies, or poor visibility.
You’ll meet at the Mauna Kea State Recreation Area and set out from there for where James has you set up for the evening. He’ll use a powerful laser pointer to show you exactly where to look to see breathtaking galaxies, nebulae, and other deep-space objects. You’ll get the chance to get your photos taken with the starry night sky as your backdrop – keep it simple or have some fun with it, the photos will be yours to keep.
Epic Experience Guaranteed
Unlike other stargazing experiences, this tour does not run if visibility is poor or the moon is brighter than 30%. If the conditions are not good enough, you get your money back or can rebook (so be sure to book early in your trip).
Location
Meet at the Mauna Kea State Recreation Area (click for directions) for stargazing on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa depending on the conditions. You’ll be staying below 9,000ft in elevation, so you’ll be more comfortable and altitude sickness is unlikely.
Free Photos!
Your guide, James, is a professional astrophotographer, meaning photos like the one above are within your reach! It is likely to be between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit, so dress accordingly, but see the FAQ for some ideas!
Big Island Stargazing FAQ
What ages can join?
Since the tours won’t be going to extreme altitudes, any age can join. The maximum altitude is around 9,000 feet. Doctors recommend staying below that altitude to minimize any potential altitude sickness. It is extremely rare that anyone ever feels sick on the tours.
Are there any restrictions?
Due to potential high altitudes, this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory, or heart conditions or poor health. Scuba diving within 24 hours before the tour, is also not advisable. If you’re concerned you won’t be able to participate due to elevation, we also recommend another tour for stargazing at sea level on the Kohala coast.
Does James use a telescope?
He uses a telescope as well as a deep space star-tracker camera that takes long-exposure, tracked photos of galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae.
What is included with the free photo package?
Everyone gets a few epic photos of them with the night sky taken complimentary. These will be medium resolution and part of a “basic” photo package. The photos will be just fine for small prints and social media posts. He will also take photos of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Those photos are also included in the price of the tour. Upgrades are available if you want to have high-resolution photos.
Why do start times vary between 7 pm and sometimes 4 am?
James doesn’t want to do stargazing tours when the moon is brighter than 20%. So he has times throughout the night that can avoid the moon on that particular night.
The core of the Milky Way galaxy is visible in the early mornings of February through May. From June through October, it can be seen in the evenings after sunset.
Does this tour visit the summit?
This tour does not, that area is closed after sunset and only telescope operators are allowed up there. All tour companies and private individuals drive down to lower elevations after sunset and stargaze near the visitors’ center.
This tour avoids those crowds and heads to another stargazing area.
What is the cancellation policy?
24-hour notice prior to the start time of the tour (HST) is required for a full refund. Any operator cancellations will be eligible for either a refund or rescheduling for free.
When will we know if the tour is canceled?
James will get up in the mountains a few hours before your tour’s start time and check for the best possible location to stargaze from to avoid the clouds. If the clouds don’t seem to disappear in time for your tour, James will let you know 90 minutes before the start time if the tour needs to be canceled or postponed.
Most nights the clouds start to clear up after sunset or James will find the best spot to avoid the clouds. It’s difficult to give more than a 90-minute heads-up about weather conditions for the spots we go to since the clouds typically start to clear up after sunset. However, the spot we go to has the clearest section of skies on Mauna Kea.
Will it be cold?
In the winter and spring months, the temperatures can be around 40°F. In summer and fall months, it can be just over 45°F. So it’s recommended to dress accordingly. They also have parka jackets that have pockets and a hood to help keep you warm.
Some brave individuals wear red dresses because they look pretty awesome in photos and they will wear a big coat over the dress during the stargazing portion of the tour to keep warm.
About EpicTours
EpicTours was started in 2013 by James Ward, formerly an Analog Astronaut and Vice Commander for the Sensoria M3 Moon Mission directed by the International MoonBase Alliance in collaboration with NASA. He is passionate, knowledgeable, and committed to providing an unforgettable experience.
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