Wonder of the World

Mauna Kea

United States

Best timeApr–Sep

Set inUnited States

In season~43°F high

Climate19–48°F

CurrencyUSD

LanguageEnglish

TimezoneUTC-05:00

Low confidence for this location; local conditions may differ.

On the map

Map showing the location of Mauna Kea

Directions (Google Maps) →

Historical monthly weather

Low confidence for this location; local conditions may differ.

Sweet spotPeak Jan, Jun, Jul. Go in Feb, Aug, Dec for similar weather.

Sunny share of daylightJan · 68%

WarmestJul · 48°F

WettestMar

Best windowApr–Sep

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Bar height is the typical daytime high; color shows sunny share of daylight. The shaded months are the ideal window to go.

Weather data & source

2018–2023 averages, not a forecast. Wet days estimate days with at least 1 mm of rain or snow using a calibrated ERA5 threshold. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (AWS Open Data, CC BY 4.0). Sunny share of daylight is calibrated from daytime cloud cover. ERA5 via Open-Meteo AWS Open Data

Mauna Kea: the snow-dusted summit rising above a sea of clouds

Mauna Kea is a dormant shield volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi. Its peak is 13,803 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in Hawaii and the island with the second highest high point, behind New Guinea. The peak is about 125 ft (38 m) higher than Mauna Loa, its more massive neighbor.

Best time to visit

Aim for Apr–Sep, the 6 months that line up best.

Pairs well with

Manta Ray Night Dive

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Mauna Kea?

The best time to visit Mauna Kea is April–September, in United States.

Where is Mauna Kea?

Mauna Kea is in United States.

What is Mauna Kea known for?

Mauna Kea is a dormant shield volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi. Its peak is 13,803 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in Hawaii and the island with the second highest high point, behind New Guinea. The peak is about 125 ft (38 m) higher than Mauna Loa, its more massive neighbor.

Featured in

Great Volcanoes

Mauna Kea: a cinder cone silhouetted against an orange lava glow under the night sky