My husband and I will be in Hawaii this summer and are wondering if there are any whale watching trips in July. I realize the humback migration season will be well over, but I am wondering if it is possible to see any other types of whales. I read something in the Fodor's book about it, but I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this. We will be in Maui in Waliea and in North Kona on the Big Island.
By the way, this will be my first post of many, as we are just in the beginning planning stages.

Captain Dan offers year round whale watching from Kona, link:
http://www.ilovewhales.com/yearround.html

Whale watching in July is a huge waste of time and money. But it's your wallet, as they say. Captain Dan ain't no fool.

I believe Captain Dan was who I read about. Have you done it? My husband is really interested in whales. I'm going to try and see if I can find a website for him.

I read too fast! JohnD-Thanks for the website.

Everythings nicer in Hawaii, but FYI we have found Whale watching in July off the coast of Massachusetts (Stellwagen bank) great for spotting humpbacks.

I also think whale watching in July will be a waste of time and money.

Although I live on Oahu, I have friends that I occasionally visit in Kona to go diving with. I have never heard of whale sightings that late into the year there - if it was a relatively common thing, the locals there would probably know about it.

But, who knows. You could get lucky.

I just checked out the webpage and it looks like Captain Dan guarantees whale sightings. However, it's a really early wake-up call to go - the boat leaves at 7:10

There will be absolutely NO humpbackwhales (this big ones) in Hawaii in July, they are by that time in and around Alaska...
Maybe just some smaller different type.
(Even in Alaska they will never guarantee...)

Define "whale". All Cap'n Dan has to do is have an employee yell out " Look, there's a whale" and point out toward the water. Maybe you see a splash, maybe it's a wave. Don't expect to see anything that is from the whale family. You certainly won't see humpbacks breaching. A dolphin does not count as a whale, unless you're Captain Dan.

So, maybe not such a good idea.
What should we not miss on Kona? We our staying 3 nights at the Four Seasons. SInce we are paying so much for the hotel, I really want to enjoy. As of now, I am thinking we'll only leave for Volcano National Park. Anything else we shouldn't miss? Day trips? Restaurants?

South from 4S:
Snorkel excursion from Keauhou Bay to Kealakekua Bay (e.g. SeqQuest or Fairwind II).http://www.coralreefnetwork.com/reef.../kbay/kbay.htm

Place of Refuge.http://www.nps.gov/puho
Snorkeling nearby and also turtle watching.

Would your husband be interested in snorkeling or diving (if certified) with mantas?

It's not guaranteed they'll show, but it is not too often that at least one doesn't show.

He may be. Ever since the crocodile hunter, he seems a little freaked about it.
We mostly enjoy beaches, but I want to make sure we see the "must see" sights on the Big Island.

"I just checked out the webpage and it looks like Captain Dan guarantees whale sightings."

Not really. What he says is, "See a Whale or Come Again Free."

There is no guarantee that you will see a whale the next time, have the time to go again, or that you will want to go again.

Keith