Mauna Kea Stargazing Experience + Photos

If you are into unique experiences, this is a great call. It was dark as we made our way to the meeting point, but our guides were right where they said they would be. You will not easily find a stargazing experience like this at home. They kept us warm, shared some education, and took some amazing images. We are glad we experienced it.

While our astronomy guide was very knowledgeable and the photographer very friendly, they chose to delay starting their presentation until the last couple arrived, 30 minutes past the starting time. This delay meant that the skies clouded up and we didn't have much of a view. Had they started on time with those who arrived on time, it would have been a much better experience. In any event, even with perfect weather, I would not pay $299/person for this experience. We were with the guides 1 hour and 45 minutes. This experience is not worth the price.

If you’re lucky enough to get Dylan as your star guide, you’re in for a treat. He’s outgoing, funny, and made the whole night feel like hanging out with a friend who just happens to know everything about the sky.

It was about 47 degrees at the place where we did our observation. The view is something you won’t see in many places of the world. They provided instant hot chocolate which helped take a bit of the nip in the air. I would recommend that people bring their own gloves for a better experience ( tour provides blankets and jackets). I would recommend to anyone to layer with a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt and then a winter or heavy leather jacket. I recommend wearing blue jeans and maybe a light pair of thermal underwear. The pictures were taken and were very good. I highly recommend looking at other pictures and tell the photographer which view or views you would like. By wearing your own very warm clothes and not getting your picture taken with the oversized jackets is recommended for better looking pictures. The pictures only take 5-10 minutes so just “endure” the brief cold to get better looking pictures. The views are spectacular but the main reason people go is for the once in a lifetime photos. I only wish the tour had told us it takes about 24 hours for photos to be sent . We stressed out a bit because most people who came to the star gazing drove 1.5-2 hours to get there and to not get the photos would be heartbreaking. Just give them time. The different type of photos are standard (free ones) or pay a fee of 99 to 199 for high resolution pictures. I had left a review do the presenter not seeing my texts and emails because it went to his spam. Long story short everything turned out just fine in the end. Therefore my one star rating previously due to lack of response and lack of being informed has been resolved completely. I recommend it with a 5 star now. Oh I would recommend the photographer have a book of about the top 20 views people do so it helps both you and the photographer out so everyone is on the same page before the photos are taken. I had studied other pictures and told her what I wanted and she did a great job.

What an experience. We had a clear sky morning and felt we could touch all those stars. I couldn’t recommend this anyone higher than an absolute must even if you’re not that interested in space. James and Dylan made the entire two hours a fun, educating and humbling experience. Don’t let the early morning or the cold out you off, we thought we dressed in enough warm clothing only to find we were freezing, luckily they are prepared for bozos like us and have jackets and blankets and hot drinks at the ready, worth every penny!