Mauna Kea Stargazing

Live summit-area sky, moonlight and road status, so you know before you drive.

Tonight on Mauna Kea

Decent, once the moon sets

The summit will remain clear, dry and stable through the night. The bigger problem is the moon: 85% lit and up until 2:27 AM. Faint targets are washed out until it drops.

As of 9:08 AM HST · Mauna Kea Weather Center · NWS

Sky cover
88% clear
Mostly clear at the summit
Seeing
1″
arcseconds; lower is steadier
Moon
85%
Sets 2:27 AM
Summit road
Open
4WD required above the VIS
Full dark
Moonset 2:27 AM
Dawn begins
Sunset 7:00 PMSunrise 5:56 AMBest window: 2:27 AM to 4:34 AM

The island right now

Live GOES-West satellite view of the Hawaiian Islands

GOES-West satellite, GeoColor, updated about every 10 minutes. At night the image blends infrared cloud detection with city lights, so summit cloud is visible even in the dark. Imagery: NOAA.

Next 7 nights

  1. TonightJul 24
    88% clear sky
    85%
    Fair
  2. SatJul 25
    95% clear sky
    91%
    Fair
  3. SunJul 26
    95% clear sky
    96%
    Fair
  4. MonJul 27
    96% clear sky
    99%
    Fair
  5. TueJul 28
    42% clear sky
    100%
    Fair
  6. WedJul 29
    95% clear sky
    99%
    Fair
  7. ThuJul 30
    92% clear sky
    97%
    Fair

Pick your night: the 7-night forecast in detail →

Going up tonight

Most people do not need the true summit. The Visitor Information Station at 9,200 ft sits above the inversion clouds most nights, has parking and restrooms, and the sky there is already darker than almost anywhere else on the island. Check the VIS calendar before counting on a hosted program.

The summit itself closes to visitors 30 minutes after sunset. If you drive up for the sunset, plan to be heading down when the stars come out, then stop at the VIS to watch them.

Aim to arrive before the best window above, and give your eyes 20 minutes off your phone screen. That part is free.

Altitude rules, not fine print

  • The summit is 13,803 ft with about 60% of sea-level oxygen. Stop at least 30 minutes at the VIS to acclimatize, both directions.
  • Children under 13, pregnant visitors, and anyone who has been SCUBA diving in the past 24 hours should stay at the VIS.
  • 4WD is required above the VIS. The road is steep gravel, and most Big Island rental contracts ban it. Check yours before you commit.
  • It drops below freezing up there after dark, all year. Bring real winter layers, not a hoodie.

No 4WD, or want it handled?

Summit tours run from Kona, Waikoloa and Hilo with parkas, dinner and telescopes included, typically $150 to $330 a person. Whether that beats driving yourself depends on your rental contract and your tolerance for cold logistics.

Tour or drive yourself? The honest comparison →

Browse Mauna Kea tours on Viator →

Forecast: Maunakea Weather Center (Univ. of Hawaiʻi). Sky cover: National Weather Service. Moon and twilight computed by this site. Independent project, affiliated with neither.