Whale Watching for Hawaii Visitors Bureau

Whales are truly impressive creatures and for many, it's the experience of a lifetime to see such powerful and gentle creatures up close. With the resurgence of the humpback whale population, whale watching is now more interesting than ever, and it's a great draw for visitors to Hawaii. The Hawaii Visitors Bureau hired me to accompany a video crew to document whale watching off Lahaina, Maui, and to shoot an interview with whale specialist Flip Nicklin. Although we never got the dramatic breaching shots we'd hoped for, there were many whales actively jostling each other for access to the popular females, and with Kyoko using a second body and lens, together we captured some great material. The scenery was also incredible off West Maui, and the aquarium at the Maui Ocean Center was spectacular, with a tiger shark actually swimming over our heads.

--Tor (March 2008)

All photos © Tor Johnson

"Tourist" couple watching dolphin riding the bow wave of a boat

Man throws a lei into the ocean at a sunset ceremony in Kaanapali

Film crew and talent watching whales putting on a show

Little girl fortunately on the right side of the glass at Maui Ocean Center

Whale showing its tail

Flip Nicklin the whale specialist

Tor and crew on the whale watching boat

Below: Tor's photos, as seen on Hawaii Visitors Bureau's gohawaii.com website.