Karlos Simon

CEO at Karlos Simón Viajes y Expediciones

In 1988, I first dove in Cuba, discovering a new world and, at the same time, my purpose in life: diving.

I started slowly, but the visual impacts and experiences were so profound that I knew I had to share them. Five years later, I began working in the industry. I became an instructor, trainer of instructors, and set up several dive schools and centers—perfect tools for helping people experience and enjoy the underwater world as I did.

With 5,000 certified students, 1,800 trained instructors, and countless adventures around the globe, 30 years as a professional in this fantastic underwater world has been extensive. However, what guides my current career and personal goals are the travels, expeditions, and, above all, the incredible world of sharks.

I have organized over 200 trips across five continents. Known destinations, new ones, or nearly unexplored ones have given me the opportunity to closely observe sharks and more than 40 of their species, allowing me to research their behavior, tonic immobility techniques, and environmental status.

I consider myself a “shark ambassador” and never miss a recording or conference to defend them and show that they are not killers or man-eaters but a fundamental part of our oceans; without them, marine life would disappear.

Many of these experiences are documented in the book by writer Alfonso Mateo-Sagasta: “Tratando de tiburones con Karlos Simón” (Dealing with Sharks with Karlos Simón), where my dear friend Alfonso recounts my beginnings in diving and my many adventures and dives with these animals.

The diving industry, travel and expeditions, television, underwater filming, and sharks summarize my passionate life in a few words.

What a great and unforgettable year 1988 was…