Mauna Kea: Tickets and Tours

The dormant volcano of Mauna Kea boasts the lofty accolade of being the highest point in the Pacific. This makes it the ideal place to observe the celestial skies, with evening tours to Mauna Kea being your ticket to distant galaxies.

Book your Mauna Kea tour to watch the sunset give way to moonlight while perched up on the volcano rim is the pinnacle of romance. You’ll feel like you can reach out and touch the stars.

Continue reading to find out all you need to know about Mauna Kea, one of the most popular attractions in Big Island.

Where is Mauna Kea and how do I get there?

Visits to Mauna Kea are possible no matter where you’re staying in Hawaii. The volcano lies in the center of the island, about 56 kilometers west of Hilo. Plan for several hours out and about so you can enjoy the experience in all its glory.

The easiest way to travel to Mauna Kea is on a guided tour, with all your transport logistics taken care of. After arriving at the meeting point, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride to the summit.

If you have a car and want to strike out independently, you’ll need to drive along Highway 200 to the Mauna Kea access road. It takes around 1.5 hours from Kailua-Kona.

To drive up to the summit you’ll need a 4x4, and public access is only allowed during daylight hours. So, if you want a sunset and stargazing Mauna Kea tour, then you’ll need to book a guided excursion.

What will I see and do at Mauna Kea?

Visiting a volcano may seem a little daunting, but don’t worry, the last eruption was 4,000 years ago! Today, Mauna Kea lies dormant, offering its slopes up to curious 21st-century explorers.

The attraction, with astronomical observatories allowing you to see the stars like never before. Did you know, Mauna Kea was where the first photo of a black hole was captured?

Watch the ultimate Hawaiian sunset

On guided Mauna Kea tours you’ll arrive in the evening before dusk, heading up to the summit in time to watch the sunset. Seeing the horizon flooded with oranges and golds from your crater vantage point is one of life’s magical moments.

Once the sun starts to dip, it all happens quite quickly so make sure you have your camera ready. Remember to enjoy a few special moments with your loved one and don’t watch the whole thing through your lens!

Enjoy a spot of stargazing

As you might have guessed by now, the main Mauna Kea activities involve looking up. After the sun has gone to bed, it’s time for the stars to come out to play. Twinkling away in the heavens, they seem clearer and nearer than most places on earth.

The skies here have little light pollution, which makes stargazing so enjoyable. At the Onizuka Astronomy Complex you’ll get to look through professional telescopes and feel like a pro! You never know, maybe you’ll be the one to discover a new celestial body?

What are the best Mauna Kea tours?

Sunset and stargazing tours

Tours in Mauna Kea focus on the delights of the evening sky, allowing you to take in both the sunset and the stars. These excursions are run on a small group basis. Participant numbers vary between providers so check the tour details carefully if you’d prefer a smaller group.

On these Mauna Kea trips, you’ll travel up to the volcano summit in a Jeep to watch the sun set over the island. After dark, it’s time for a guided stargazing experience using professional telescopes that will draw you in to distant galaxies. You will be able to spot planets as well as star constellations before posing for photos to remember this unique adventure.

Your guide will reveal some of the island’s history, with stories of ancient gods and intrepid queens bringing the landscapes to life. Hot drinks and snacks will keep your energy levels high, and some packages even include dinner at the Onizuka Astronomy Complex.

Most tours last between 7 and 8 hours including transfer time. After your volcano visit, you’ll be returned to the original starting point.

What are the prices of Mauna Kea tours?

Small group Mauna Kea excursions that focus on sunsets and stargazing start at US$250 per person. If you want to include dinner at the Onizuka Astronomy Complex, expect to pay US$280 each for the whole experience.

All tours to Mauna Kea include return transfers in a comfortable 4x4 van, a professional guide and use of the observatory telescopes. Hot drinks and snacks are provided, as well as warm clothing like jackets and gloves – some operators also offer ski pants.

If dinner isn’t included in your package price, you may want to take some food as you won’t be returning until late in the evening.

Where do Mauna Kea tours start?

Common meeting points for tours to Mauna Kea include the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo, Starbucks in Waikoloa and the Bank of Hawaii in Kailua-Kona.

Other pickup places are Target in Kailua-Kona and Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa. You will need to make your own way to these locations from your resort.

If you have a rental vehicle, you can also be collected from the Onizuka Astronomy Center on the Mauna Kea Access Road.

When is the best time to visit Mauna Kea?

All trips to Mauna Kea take place in the evening, so you can see the sunset from the best vantage point on Big Island. The whole tour lasts 7 or 8 hours, so most excursions depart at around 3 PM. That means you’ll have time for a morning snorkeling trip or a boat ride around Kealakekua Bay.

The weather needs to be good for Mauna Kea tours, so if conditions are poor your experience will be postponed or canceled. It’s therefore advisable to book the excursion toward the start of your vacation in case it has to be rescheduled.

Travel tips

• Mauna Kea tours take place in the evening, so wrap up warm – it’s cold up on that summit.
• Wear comfortable footwear for scrambling around the rocky terrain.
• Book your Mauna Kea tickets in advance, as there is a set number of places available.
• Some tours have a minimum age of 16 years, so check before booking if you’re traveling with children.
• Photographing the stars is tricky with a standard camera, but most tours offer complimentary shots with a professional DSLR.