Maui Stargazing
Maui Stargazing
5
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
About
Maui Stargazing offers sunset and stargazing tours within Haleakala National Park for a science-based telescope adventure. We meet at the Longs in Kulamalu and you board our Mercedes Sprinter passenger van for the ultimate, off-the-grid visitor activity on Maui - and it's fun for all ages! Haleakala is among the best places on Planet Earth to observe celestial objects! At the 10,000 foot elevation, Haleakala Summit reaches above the clouds and is well away from light-polluted resorts. Learn the wonders of the night sky from an astronomy expert. We use the largest portable telescope on Maui, a 12-inch aperture Dobsonian, allowing the best views of deep sky objects including the visible planets, nebulae, galaxies and star clusters. We supply all the warm outerwear you will need to stay warm, as well as hot beverages. Observing sites offer restrooms and shelter from wind.
Makawao, Hawaii
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
427 reviews
Excellent
390
Very good
16
Average
8
Poor
9
Terrible
4
Wayne C
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
Just completed a sunset and stargazing trip with Maui Stargazing. It was a 5 hour trip which included being driven to the summit then being taken to a spot a little lower to watch the sunset and look at the stars.
There was a laser guided look around the constellations and a 12 inch telescope. We found Jan, our guide, to be friendly and informative. The warm jacket and pants supplied seemed excessive beforehand but it got cold once darkness fell and it was a much more pleasant experience while toasty warm. We really enjoyed the trip, which was on a beautiful clear night (up the top, down below it was cloudy and raining) so our sunset was glorious and there was a lot to see. I particularly enjoyed seeing the deep space objects. A nice aspect was the small group (11) so we all got a good look at everything.
There was a laser guided look around the constellations and a 12 inch telescope. We found Jan, our guide, to be friendly and informative. The warm jacket and pants supplied seemed excessive beforehand but it got cold once darkness fell and it was a much more pleasant experience while toasty warm. We really enjoyed the trip, which was on a beautiful clear night (up the top, down below it was cloudy and raining) so our sunset was glorious and there was a lot to see. I particularly enjoyed seeing the deep space objects. A nice aspect was the small group (11) so we all got a good look at everything.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo for your kind review! There are many breathtaking scenic spots once in the park, so we tend to visit a few then settle on the one that offers the best view of the night sky based on the conditions. Aloha and thanks again for your review!
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
G Jackson
1 contribution
Apr 2022
An evening we will never forget. The views as the sun sets are amazing and as darkness falls you see more and more stars. Jan has a superb knowledge of the night sky and had everything we needed for the cold. She somehow remembered everyone's names and made us feel like part of a close friendly group as we took turns at the telescope in the pitch dark. She also makes great coffee. To be above the clouds was a wonderful experience.
Written May 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo!
Written January 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Donna W
1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Family
Enjoyed this very much! Jan provides a well organized tour. She is highly knowledgeable about the universe and explains things in an easy to understand format. Large telescope is great! We were lucky with a beautiful sunset followed by clear night skies and minimal wind on the summit. Highly recommend this very professional tour!
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo Donna!
Written March 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travelngh
Atlanta, GA26 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
Our group thoroughly enjoyed our evening with Maui Stargazing! Jan began our time in the park with a stop at a great viewing site for the volcano. We then moved to another viewing site in the park which was our base of activities for the evening. We ate the sandwiches that we brought with us while we got to know Jan and the others in our group. We watched a spectacular sunset while Jan set up the telescopes. She had us outfitted in snow gear prior to the temps dropping so we were warm and ready to watch the stars come into view as the sky grew darker. During the evening she pointed out many constellations, star clusters, galaxies, and stars. We were lucky enough to see Jupiter and four of its moons as well as a beautiful waxing crescent moon. Jan’s use of an EV telescope was a nice bonus. We we were able to see vivid images on our phones of several Nebulae and galaxies. We also saw the winter view of the Milky Way galaxy, which is not something you ever see living in a big city. Jan’s knowledge of the night sky provided us with a fabulous evening on top of Haleakala!
Written February 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo! Yes when the conditions permit I have added the eVscope which does a great job photographing nebulae and other outer space objects.
Aloha Jan
Written February 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Buzzwinckel
Cramlington, UK24 contributions
Aug 2022
Top notch evening of celestial objects. Jan is knowledgable, fun to spend time with and has great equipment including a 12 inch reflector which she wielded with the accuracy of a Jedi Knight. Phenomenal sunset from an extinct volcano added the cherry on top. Highly recommend.
Written August 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! Mahalo
Written January 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katie W
24 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Jan is truly a wealth of knowledge! We had a delightful evening experiencing a gorgeous sunset followed by a night under the stars exploring planets, constellations and star clusters. The warm attire provided was perfect for our evening on Haleakala- it gets very cold so definitely bring layers. Overall a lovely experience with a caveat- make sure you research when the moon is shining the brightest as this is not ideal for stargazing. Also, we apparently took our tour in between stargazing seasons so there was a lot of emphasis placed on what we unfortunately wouldn’t be able to see- which undersold the experience a bit for us. Still amazing to see the stars and moon with her telescope and fantastic to hear about our galaxy from a passionate expert!
Written May 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo for the kind words.
Written June 2, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jake M
Ashburn, VA9 contributions
Oct 2021
This is a MUST do if you find yourself in Maui. Heading up 10,000' to learn about the volcano, have a picnic dinner, watch the sunset above the island and then finishing off with an amazing view of the cosmos. Jan has an incredible knowledge and appreciation for the land and the sea. Dress warm and get ready for anyone you meet back at the resort to be jealous of your excursion.
Written October 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda R
Chicago, IL7 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Jan was amazing. We splurged on this, being avid amateur stargazers and it was well worth it. She showed us so much and is a great storyteller. For a while, we all worried rain would interfere but we were above the clouds and the nights skies were clear. Her winter gear was comfy and cozy and we saw everything we could, including three meteors. Just a fantastic experience. Bring food or snacks because it’s a long afternoon/evening. Loved it!
Written January 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad you loved it!
Written February 10, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marilyn S
San Diego, CA62 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
What an amazing evening! From start to finish, it was so well organized. First, we explored the area near the Haleakala crater and waited for the sun to set. We were well above clouds settling in below us. Beautiful! At 10,000 feet Haleakala can be quite cold and windy. Jan had jackets, gloves, hats, ski pants to loan everyone. We stayed plenty warm. When darkness settled in, out came the telescopes. With just a sliver of a moon, we were able to see so many objects! Spectacular! Afterwards, Jan emailed us a detailed guide of what we had seen along with some time-lapse photos she took that evening, Nice souvenirs. Best stargazing experience - small group, knowledgeable guide, great location!
Written February 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo Marilyn for the lovely thoughtful review!
Written February 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lrulapaugh
Alexandria, VA4 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
My family and I visited Maui in July 2022. Jan’s customer service, hospitality, patience and knowledge of stargazing was out of this world (pun intended)! Out of all of the paid tours we participated in during our family vacation, Jan’s was the absolute best.
In addition to the comfortable seating provided, coffee and/ or hot chocolate offered, warm and high quality snow pants, snow jacket and gloves available for use when the temperatures dropped after sun fall, Jan allowed everyone, to include our kids, to independently experience stargazing through her high powered telescope. On top of all of this, Jan immediately provided a PPT (to include images) of what we experienced that evening!
Money well spent! Jan and her stargazing tour is a must! You will not be disappointed.
Lori Rulapaugh
In addition to the comfortable seating provided, coffee and/ or hot chocolate offered, warm and high quality snow pants, snow jacket and gloves available for use when the temperatures dropped after sun fall, Jan allowed everyone, to include our kids, to independently experience stargazing through her high powered telescope. On top of all of this, Jan immediately provided a PPT (to include images) of what we experienced that evening!
Money well spent! Jan and her stargazing tour is a must! You will not be disappointed.
Lori Rulapaugh
Written August 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mahalo!
Written January 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I'm not understanding the price of this tour when one is required to drive themselves up and back. Safety wise, it defeats the purpose of a 'tour' and there is no way that the knowledge equates to $225 pp. Others have questioned the price in the past which includes the Mercedes RT etc. This is highway robbery.
Written April 30, 2022
How does this compare to the Hyatt's star gazing?
Written March 5, 2020
I don’t know as I haven’t done the Hyatt Stargazing. However, I had a fabulous time with Maui Stargazing. She’s the real deal. No app - she knows the stars and planets
Written March 6, 2020
My husband thinks $195/person sounds like a lot for the described tour. How can I justify the price to him?
Written March 5, 2020
This trip is so worth it - you will probably never see a night sky like it again. We are still talking about the experience four months later whenever we look up at the evening sky. It was amazing!
Written March 6, 2020
Is the altitude a problem? My wife is concerned about potential altitude sickness. How many people have had issues with the altitude on this tour?
Written August 23, 2019
My husband is very sensitive to altitude and didn’t have any trouble on this tour. There is no exertion, so that might help. Also, you can feel free to drink plenty of water because the tour guide plans bathroom stops at frequent intervals. I think that helps a lot too.
Written August 24, 2019
How scary is the drive? Are there lots of steep drop offs or bumpy unpaved areas? I have an anxious 13-year-old who is dying to do the stargazing but absolutely paralyzed by those. Thanks so much!
Written April 18, 2019
They show a video about the national park in the van on the way up, and I was distracted by that most of the time. It was also extremely cloudy when we drove up, so it wasn't possible to see far for stretches of the drive. I don't remember the road being bumpy, but had it been clear, I think we would have been seeing drop-offs. It certainly felt safe, and I didn't feel afraid at all. Jan is a safe driver.
Written April 18, 2019
taravarney
Euless, Texas
What is the phone number for Maui Stargazing? Is there a website?
Written June 19, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
Reach us at 808-298-8254
Written June 19, 2018
How visible are the stars with just the naked eye?
Written May 23, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
Stars are nice on a clear dark night. If you want to see galaxies and other deep space objects and details on Jupiter’s surface then a telescope is needed. The larger the mirror on the telescope the better the object looks through the telescope
Written May 23, 2018
I noticed a few close up photos of the moon/stars; I am wondering how did people take these? Did they put a camera up to the telescope? I am considering going star gazing and want to be able to take some close up photos so was curious about this.
Written March 10, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
Just noticed your question. In order to take photos of the derp sky objects, one needs a telescope that tracks along with the rotation of the earth. You remove the eyepiece and mount a DSLR camera to the back of the telescope with a special mounting bracket, and take long 30-Second exposures which gather more light than you can see with your eyes alone. Our telescope is a field telescope and we look through the eyepiece. So we cannot take photos with it.
Written March 27, 2018
Will you pick up and drop off at my hotel?
Written February 5, 2017
A Tripadvisor member
Apologies but we do not transport guests.
Written February 5, 2017
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