Guided by Science, Respected for our Partnerships, and Proud as a Team
At Wild Side we know that communication is not about the number of things you say, it is about the number of things that are understood. Our professionally trained crew are science communicators passionate about sharing their knowledge and excitement for Hawaii’s marine life, community and heritage with our guests. That is what makes our hui (team) of hand-picked guides the best in Hawaii – and the hardest working. We recognize that we are basing our work on sovereign indigenous lands and encounter species that are sacred to Hawaiians (the original stewards) and others today.
Wild Side Specialty Tours is a woman owned and operated company sharing passion for the ocean and wildlife, in a unique, modern, fun, and relaxed charters since 1996. Directly involved with the studies of behavior, ecology, and natural history of the whales, dolphins, turtles, coral reefs and other marine life in Hawaiʻi, we continue to actively participate in conservation and resource management of marine habitats. See our partnerships here.
Our crew care about the earth and its resources and operate tours like the original stewards of the islands the kānaka maoli – with the environment and sustainability in mind. Our naturalists do more than guide; they bring their knowledge, experience, wonder and passion to the world’s greatest playground: nature.
Captain/Owner – Victoria Davis (aka “Tori” Cullins)
Trained on Polynesian Voyaging canoes, resident marine biologist, and environmental sciences grad, Tori has been actively involved in conservation efforts, research, photography, education, and sustainable-tourism related to marine mammals and their habitats for 30+ years. Conservation efforts led to forming the Wild Dolphin Foundation and she toils behind the scenes in the International Dolphin & Whale Stranding Network. Recently remarried (hence the name change) her spare time is spent in conservation photography, sustainable living, and rehabing horses in her spare time. OK pretty much full time – she spends more time “wearing” cameras, fur, mud, dust or manure than salt spray anymore. But still, she’s very active in the running and ethics of Wild Side.
Badger, J.J., R.W. Baird, D.S. Johnson, A.L. Bradford, S.D. Mahaffy, M.A. Kratofil, T. Cullins, J.J. Currie, S.H. Stack, and E.M. Oleson. 2025. Accounting for Sampling Bias Reveals a Decline in Abundance of Endangered False Killer Whales in the Main Hawaiian Islands. Endangered Species Research 57: 325-340. doi: 10.3354/esr01423
Harnish, A.E., R.W. Baird, S.D. Mahaffy, A.B. Douglas, M.A. Kratofil, J.F. Shaff, T. Cullins, S.H. Stack, J.J. Currie, and A.L. Bradford. 2024. False Killer Whales and Fisheries in Hawaiian Waters: Evidence from Mouthline and Dorsal Fin Injuries Reveal Ongoing and Repeated Interactions. Endangered Species Research 55: 273-293. doi: 10.3354/esr01374
Baird, R.W., S.D. Mahaffy, B. Hancock-Hanser, T. Cullins, K.L. West, M.A. Kratofil, D.M. Barrios, A.E. Harnish, P.C. Johnson. 2024. Long-term strategies for studying rare species: results and lessons from a multi-species study of odontocetes around the main Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Conservation Biology Download PDF
Mahaffy, S.D., R.W. Baird, A.E. Harnish, T. Cullins, S.H. Stack, J.J. Currie, A.L. Bradford, D.R. Salden, and K.K. Martien. 2023. Identifying Social Clusters of Endangered Main Hawaiian Islands False Killer Whales. Endangered Species Research 51:249-268 doi: 10.3354/esr01258
Van Cise, A. M., R. W. Baird, A. E. Harnish, J. J. Currie, S. H. Stack, T. Cullins, and A. M. Gorgone. 2021. Mark-Recapture Estimates Suggest Declines in Abundance of Common Bottlenose Dolphin Stocks in the Main Hawaiian Islands. Endangered Species Research 45, 37-53. doi: 10.3354/esr01117
Other PUBLICATIONS CO-AUTHORED (too long to list here!)
Captain Kimberly Jeffries
Underwater Photographer / Cinematographer / Technical Diving Instructor
An expedition-level mariner, underwater cinematographer, and technical dive instructor with a career spent in some of the world’s most demanding ocean environments, Kim’s work has contributed to major documentaries for National Geographic, Disney, BBC, and Netflix, capturing everything from apex predators to fragile reef systems.
At the helm, Kimberly brings exceptional situational awareness, calm leadership, and a deep understanding of marine life behavior. With advanced credentials in rebreather, freediving, and technical diving, she combines precision and safety with a genuine passion for exploration—guiding guests into Hawaiʻi’s wild ocean with confidence, respect, and a storyteller’s eye for the extraordinary.
Qualifications of crew members include Water Rescue Certification, SCUBA, CPR, First Aid, Emergency Responder, Snorkel Guide Certified .
Conner Humann, B.S. Crew/Research/Photographer
This thalassophile (you’re probably one too) has a BS in marine biology from the University of Hawaiʻi and is a certified humpback whale naturalist. His passion for cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) is unmatched. Being a research technician with the Health and Stranding Lab (Hawaiʻi’s cetacean stranding response) these finned beauties are his most extensive base of knowledge, so please ask him about them (C’mon we dare you to stump Conner)! As an avid freediver and underwater photographer, Conner recognizes the importance in respecting and understanding Hawaiian marine life. Therefore, he finds it wildly fulfilling to involve the public in stewardship and appreciation of what he most loves.
Conner interviewed on Intertidal Talks Podcast – Dolphin Diving and Photography
Silva-Krott I, Rotstein D, Conner Humann, Clifton C, Odani J, Davis J, Kristi L. West 2024 Detection of Brucellaceti and Brucella Associated Disease in Stranded Cetaceans in Hawaii USA2000-24
Kristi L. West, Ilse Silva-Krott, Cody W. Clifton, Conner Humann, Nicole Davis 2023 Detection of cetacean morbillivirus in dolphin feces and the potential application for live cetacean health monitoring Marine Mammal Science
Landrau-Giovannetti, N., Waltzek, T.B., López-Orozco, N., Su, C., Rotstein, D., Levine, G., Rodrigues, T., Silva-Krott, I., Humann, C., West, K. 2022. Prevalence and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii in stranded Hawaiian cetaceans. Dis Aquat Org 152:27-36.
West, K.L., Clifton, C., Humann, C., Hofmann, N., Jacobson, K., and I. Silva-Krott. 2021. Diseases of stranded Pacific Island marine mammals. Annual Report to the United States Navy, Pacific Fleet, Marine Species Monitoring Program.
West, K.L., Clifton, C., Hofmann, N., Humann, C., and I. Silva-Krott. 2021. Hawaiʻi and Mariana Islands stranding analyses. Annual Report to the United States Navy, Pacific Fleet, Marine Species Monitoring Program.
Bethany King (Steele) Crew/Photographer
A core member of the Wild Side crew and an accomplished photographer with a natural talent for both visual storytelling and guest connection. Equally comfortable behind the camera and in front of a group, she has a gift for translating complex marine behavior into engaging, easy-to-understand stories that resonate with guests of all ages.
On the water, Bethany is attentive, approachable, and highly tuned in to both people and wildlife—keeping guests informed, comfortable, and engaged while anticipating the moments worth capturing. Her ability to “speak tour guide” while delivering thoughtful, conservation-minded interpretation makes her a favorite onboard and an essential part of the Wild Side experience.
Ashley Loveday – Crew
Ashley Loveday – CrewAshley is a cornerstone of the Wild Side team—bringing exceptional organizational skill, calm leadership, and a deep alignment with everything our company stands for: ethical wildlife encounters, conservation-first decision-making, cultural respect, and genuine connection to place.
Sharing her hanabuda days between the East Coast of Massachusetts and summers spent in Hawaiʻi visiting her Tūtū, Ashley grew up immersed in coastal life. Long days at the beach and a childhood rooted in the outdoors naturally nurtured her love for the ocean, wildlife, and the rhythms of nature—values that continue to guide her work today.
A professional Divemaster and Level 1 freediver, Ashley is also an OAT-certified naturalist and an Eyes of the Reef steward and facilitator. She brings both technical expertise and thoughtful interpretation to every tour, helping guests understand not just what they’re seeing, but why it matters. Her passion for marine conservation and education resonates deeply with visitors who share Wild Side’s commitment to responsible, regenerative tourism.
With Gratitude — Past Crew & Continuing Research Collaborators
Captain Liah McPherson
Liah’s been obsessed with dolphins and whales from about the age of 3, so she’s made their study and conservation her life’s goal. She has now been researching cetaceans for almost a decade, working in North Carolina, the Bahamas, Alaska, Antarctica, and throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands. In August of 2023, she received her M.S. in marine biology after leading a three-year project focused on the population abundance, age-structure and movement patterns of spinner dolphins off our very own Waiʻanae Coast. Read her thesis here! We see these dolphins frequently on the water, and Liah will talk your ear off about them (she knows pretty much all the resident individuals!). A member of the Marine Mammal Research Program at the University of Hawaiʻi, Liah Mchpherson frequently travels for different marine mammal fieldwork projects, but loves captaining Alakaʻi when she’s home on Oʻahu. Outside of science and driving boats, Liah is also a PFI freediving instructor, FAA certified drone pilot and photographer.
Liah interviewed on the Marine Mammal Science Podcast – Spinner dolphins and becoming a marine mammal scientist
McPherson, L., Badger, J., Fertitta, K., Bejder, L. Quantifying the abundance and survival rates of island-associated spinner dolphins using a multi-state open robust design model Sci Rep 14, 14764 (2024).
McPherson, L. (2023). Abundance and demographic parameters of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris subsp.) off Oahu’s Waianae Coast (Master’s thesis).
Patton, P. T., Cheeseman, T., Abe, K., Yamaguchi, T., Reade, W., Southerland, K. … McPherson, L.… Bejder, L. (2023). A deep learning approach to photo–identification demonstrates high performance on two dozen cetacean species. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 00, 1–15. Download PDF
Gabriella Abouhassan B.S.
A girl after our own heart, with a double major in Environmental Sustainability and Marine Biology. Gabby lead a Florida project in constructing artificial reefs for native fish species. She has been involved with marine mammal behaviors and invertebrate conservation as well. With field experience to boot! PADI certified for Advanced Open Water/Rescue and Scientific Diver, you can’t keep this woman out of the water. We appreciate that she always takes care of the waters she visit, being active in beach cleanups, from ghost nets to microplastics.
Captain Kimberly Wood
(Yes that is a resting elephant – we do love the megafauna!) Wildlife Conservation and photographer at Kariba Conservation Programme, Wildlife Photographer/ Videographer at Documentary in the making, Boots on Ground and Field, Research Photographer at Cascadia Research Collective, University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Engineering and Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology – HIMB
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