Explore the Cosmos Stargazing Tour | Moana Skies | Shaara Deals
A 90 minute stargazing adventure under Kaikoura's dark skies with telescopes, a laser pointer and hot chocolate, with Moana Skies on Shaara Deals from $109.
Kaikōura sits nestled between mountains and the sea, and that geography gives it some of the darkest skies in New Zealand, the exact condition Moana Skies built their stargazing tours around.
Local astronomers lead the evening using state-of-the-art astronomy equipment, including a laser pointer for highlighting naked-eye objects and teaching basic star navigation. It's a genuinely hands-on approach to stargazing rather than a passive lecture under the stars.
What the evening includes
Beyond the naked-eye tour, you'll get time with proper telescopes to look deeper into the wonders of space, while your guide shares stories about the history of the cosmos and fields any questions you've ever had about the universe. Moana Skies say the experience works whether you're an astrophysicist or simply enjoy looking up at the stars, and cosying up with blankets and a hot chocolate (on the house) while listening to the stories makes it feel more like an evening out than a science lecture.
Weather and location notes
Because clear skies are essential, all Moana Skies tours are weather dependent, with weather calls made up to an hour before tour time. For safety reasons and to protect their equipment, tour locations may change at short notice, so it's worth staying flexible on where exactly the evening takes place.
Recommended items to bring are suitable footwear, warm clothing, your enthusiasm, and your questions, since a good chunk of the evening is built around genuine back-and-forth with the astronomers rather than a fixed script.
The essentials
- Deal: Explore the Cosmos stargazing tour, Moana Skies
- Price: From $109
- Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
- Location: Kaikōura
- Merchant: Moana Skies
FAQs
Why is Kaikōura good for stargazing?
Its location between the mountains and the sea gives it some of the darkest skies anywhere in New Zealand.
Do I need to know anything about astronomy beforehand?
No, the tour is designed for everyone from complete beginners to astrophysicists, with guides on hand to answer any questions.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Weather calls are made up to an hour before the tour, and locations may change at short notice to protect the equipment and keep things safe.
Is anything provided to keep warm?
Yes, blankets and a hot chocolate are provided, though warm clothing and suitable footwear are still recommended.
Book the Explore the Cosmos stargazing tour on Shaara Deals at https://shaaradeals.co.nz/deal/6a94c773878ff6d95454d3cc and see what New Zealand's darkest skies actually look like through a telescope.
