Kayaker Swallowed by Humpback Whale in Chilean Patagonia

In an extraordinary and heart-stopping encounter, a kayaker in Chilean Patagonia was briefly swallowed by a humpback whale before being released unharmed. The dramatic incident, captured on video by the kayaker’s father, has since gone viral, leaving viewers in awe of the rare and terrifying event. Please continue reading to watch the video!

Kayaker Swallowed by Humpback Whale

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan. The serene waters of Chilean Patagonia, known for their breathtaking beauty and abundant marine life, quickly turned into a scene of chaos when a humpback whale surfaced directly beneath Adrián’s kayak.

In a matter of seconds, the massive whale engulfed Adrián and his yellow kayak, pulling them underwater. Dell, who was just meters away, captured the entire incident on camera while urging his son to remain calm.

“Stay calm, stay calm,” Dell can be heard saying in the video as Adrián reemerges from the whale’s mouth, visibly shaken but unharmed.

“I Thought I Was Dead”

Adrián later described the harrowing experience to The Associated Press, recalling the sheer terror of being swallowed by the whale.

“I thought I was dead,” he said. “I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me.”

Adrián explained that his fear intensified after resurfacing, as he worried about his father’s safety and the possibility of succumbing to hypothermia in the frigid waters. Despite the shock, Dell remained composed, filming the incident and reassuring his son while grappling with his own anxiety.

“When I came up and started floating, I was scared that something might happen to my father too, that we wouldn’t reach the shore in time, or that I would get hypothermia,” Adrián said.

Thankfully, after a few seconds in the water, Adrián managed to reach his father’s kayak and was quickly assisted. Both returned to shore unharmed, though undoubtedly shaken by the ordeal.

The Strait of Magellan: A Challenging Environment

The Strait of Magellan, located about 1,600 miles south of Santiago, Chile’s capital, is a popular destination for adventure seekers. Known for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, the region is also home to humpback whales, orcas, and other marine species.

However, the strait’s frigid waters, with temperatures hovering around 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius) even in summer, pose significant challenges for sailors, swimmers, and explorers. The cold environment increases the risk of hypothermia, making quick rescues essential in emergencies.

Rare but Not Unprecedented

While whale attacks on humans are extremely rare, similar incidents have been reported in recent years. In 2021, a lobster diver off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, was briefly swallowed by a humpback whale before being spat out unharmed. Similarly, in 2020, two women kayaking off the coast of Avila Beach, California, were knocked out of their kayak by a humpback whale but escaped without injury.

Experts emphasize that humpback whales do not view humans as prey. Danny Groves, a spokesman for Whale and Dolphin Conservation, explained that the whale in this incident was likely unaware of Adrián’s presence.

“Humans are not on their menu,” Groves said. “It’s highly likely this whale was simply going about his or her daily routine unaware that someone in a small boat was nearby.”

Kevin Robinson, director of the Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit in Scotland, added that it would be “physiologically impossible” for a humpback whale to swallow a human due to the small size of its throat. If ever found in this rare situation, you might want to watch the video below.

A Miraculous Escape

Adrián’s miraculous escape serves as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature. While the encounter was undoubtedly terrifying, it also highlights the resilience of both humans and wildlife in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

As the video continues to circulate online, viewers are left in awe of the rare and unforgettable moment when a kayaker found himself face-to-face with one of the ocean’s most majestic creatures — and lived to tell the tale.

You may also like: Scientists Have a 20-Minute Conversation With a Humpback Whale