Maunakea Stellar Explorer Kona

The tour begins with dinner, then moves into daytime solar viewing through a specialized solar telescope. Guides walk guests through sunspots, solar flares, and prominences as they appear on the sun in real color, with weather affecting what is visible. The route then follows Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, where a National Park Service trained guide narrates the volcanology, geology, and lava flows passing by.

The evening portion takes place at a location on Mauna Kea, where guests observe through a large Dobsonian telescope. Depending on current sky conditions, targets can include galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, planets, double star systems, and the moon. The tour does not visit the summit of Mauna Kea, in deference to Native Hawaiian concerns. Afterward, guests warm up with Kona coffee or hot chocolate before returning to their resort.

Warm jackets are provided. The difficulty level is easy, and a tasting is included, making this a comfortable outing for a wide range of travelers.