Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station

Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station is a tourist information and service Mauna Kea located in United States.

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  • Phone

    (808) 961-2180

  • Website

    ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis

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  • Facebook

    126182657431289

  • Type

    Tourist Information and Service

Address

Mauna Kea Access Rd (6 miles from Saddle Rd) Mauna Kea , HI United States

Comments / 37


Keywords:

star gazing sunsets star tours summit hiking hot chocolate noodles island Observatory hills road knowledgeable staff clothing country friendly staff mountains
Casey Anderson

Stargazing Friday and Saturdays at the visitor station. Wear warm clothes , temperatures drop to freezing at night. Want to watch sunset at the top? Reserve a tour or take a 4x4 up to 14,000 feet elev .

Kyle Fowler

Best star gazing in the country . Come before sunset to watch from the top of the mountain and stay for the guided star tour .

toramewmew

Bring a thermos or your own instant hot beverage of choice - there's cups and hot water you can make use of, otherwise it's $2 to buy an instant mix from the store. They have pot noodles too.

John Kim

Take the floor mate out of your car and use it to sit on when you go watch the sunset . Thank me later if it’s a rental you are cleaning it off anyways

Casey Anderson

Stargazing Friday and Saturday at the visitor station. Wear warm clothes , temperatures drop to freezing. Want to watch sunset at the top? Reserve a tour or take a 4x4 up to 14,000 feet (adults only).

Marshall 

When the sun goes low, so does the temp! Expect 50°F or lower when it gets dark during most seasons. Bring $1 bills and buy lots of hot chocolate and noodles to support the VIC.

Elaine Hui

The gift shop sells $30 sweats and snuggies for $120. There is a mountain across the street from the visitor's center where you can watch the sunset . Requires 15-20mins hike . Not for acrophobics.

Laney_ms

great place! go there in the afternoon. hike a bit and stay for the sunset and stargazing at night. it is amazing!

Julie Ziemelis

Big Island Off Road Adventures will take you and 3 others with you to the top so you can control your own tour . Www.BigIslandOffRoadAdventures.com

Luciana Santo

Amazing place... More than 4500 mts above ocean and with different temperature and landscape from the rest of Big Island ... MUST SEE PLACE....

Joe Stainbrook

Watch the informative videos to learn about the different telescopes and why the observatory is so important.

Kristian

As far as we got without a 4x4. Still a couple hikes up the hills with great views

Erin McCue

Wear all of your clothes (it gets really cold!). Cliff did a great benevolently cranky stargazing talk. Drive something more powerful than a Nissan Versa.

Going4Groceries.com

Bring sweater, some hot cocoa , and arrive early. You can hike the large hillside to watch the sunset , watch the informational video and listen to the star gazer talk.

WEI WEI

Leave enough time for sunset viewing . Hot chocolate is great and very helpful.

Steve

Friendly & knowledgeable guides take you through the stars & constellations.

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Bring warm clothing for the stargazing

Rachael Evans

Be prepared for the cold. Come on a new moon. Great star gazing !!!

Ciro Nigri

Stop here for half hour before reaching the summit to get used to lack of oxygen; come back after sunset for stargazing.

Maya Byrne

Get here early for parking . Do not brings flashlights as they are not allowed.

Dallas Foodie (Danielle G.)

Candy bars , granola bars , soda , water, juice , tea , hot chocolate is only $1 each! They have astronaut food too.

Koreankitkat

Important sign to know

Emily

Star tour was amazing. Definitely worth it.

Koreankitkat

Beware of invisible cows

Jessica Halloran

Star gaze from 6-10pm nightly with professional telescopes .

Sebastian

The center is good but the volcanoes are widely fenced off.

Island Bruin

Dress warm. Pretty long lines for the telescopes .

Jon DaMove'

Bring a bag of chips and see how far up you make it b4 it explodes..

Yilei

Hot water provided. Instant noodle for sale.

Laxmi N

Beautiful view

Akshay Jawharkar

Last restroom stop before the summit mount.

Ashley Zeldin

I ka nānā no a 'ike.

Michael Rasmussen

Stargazing

Luna Mystique

Visited today...looking pretty vacant these days

Rubi Rodriguez

Chill out for 45 min before reaching the summit .

natassia

Nightly star tour

Whitney Hunter

View the Orion Nebula

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Check the live cams and weather reports on the visitor center website before you go. It's a MUST do! Incredible experience. - RC

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go online to time your trip to make sure you can see the sunset - Anu

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Spectacular experience star-gazing here. It gets cold though, so bring warm clothes - ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????

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6 to 10 PM observation rocks. Pick a no moon night. Go around back to restroom area to see the Milky Way in summer. - Dan S