Hola! I’m Elena, a biologist, diver, traveler, and mom. I live in Sint Maarten with my husband Dan, where we run SXM Divers, a dive center focused on ocean conservation and meaningful experiences. I was born in Venezuela and have been fortunate to follow a path that took me from studying sharks in the Bahamas to exploring the world with the Rolex Scholarship. Along the way, I earned an MBA, met amazing people, and turned my passion for the ocean into a way of life.

This blog is where I share pieces of that journey: diving stories, travel memories, reflections on motherhood, and the things that I’m curious about and inspire me most. You’ll find lots of photos here because I still can’t believe many of these moments are real. I’m incredibly grateful for my family, for the life we’re building, and for the chance to keep learning and growing. Thank you for being here!

Below you will find some of the most unforgettable moments I’ve been lucky to experience in the ocean (in no particular order). I’m so grateful to all the incredible people who helped make these experiences possible: my mom and dad, my husband, friends, mentors, guides, and fellow ocean lovers. I’ll never stop being thankful for their kindness and support. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing photographers who captured these moments of me with these animals. Most of the pictures were taken by my wonderful husband. Each encounter has deepened my respect for the ocean and strengthened my commitment to protecting it. Click on the pictures to read the full story behind each special encounter.