A humpback whale briefly swallowed a kayaker in Chile before spitting him out, leaving him unharmed. The shocking encounter, caught on video, quickly went viral.
Whale Swallows Kayaker in Strait of Magellan
Last week, Adrián Simancas and his father, Dell, were kayaking in the Strait of Magellan when a humpback whale emerged from the depths. In an instant, the massive creature engulfed Adrián and his yellow kayak before disappearing beneath the water.
For a few terrifying moments, Dell lost sight of his son. Then, the whale surfaced and released Adrián, who managed to escape unharmed.
The entire incident, captured by Dell, has stunned viewers worldwide.
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“I Thought It Had Eaten Me” – Adrián’s Terrifying Ordeal
Adrián described the horrifying experience, saying he truly believed he was dead.
“I thought I was dead,” Adrián told The Associated Press.
“I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me.”
Dell, who filmed the moment, remained calm. “Stay calm, stay calm,” he can be heard saying after the whale let go of his son.
Even after resurfacing, Adrián feared for his father’s safety.
“When I came up and started floating, I was scared that something might happen to my father, too,” he said.
“I was afraid we wouldn’t reach the shore in time or that I would get hypothermia.”
Despite the ordeal, both father and son returned to shore without injuries.
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Whale Attacks Are Rare, But Ocean Dangers Remain
Humpback whales do not attack humans intentionally. Scientists believe this encounter was accidental, likely due to the whale feeding near the surface.
- Whale attacks in Chilean waters are extremely rare.
- The colder temperatures of the Strait of Magellan pose greater risks to sailors, swimmers, and kayakers.
- Even in summer, water temperatures can drop as low as 4°C (39°F).
Figure 2: Humpback whale leaping out of the water. [Credit: NOAA Fisheries]
Patagonian Waters – A Beautiful Yet Dangerous Destination
The Strait of Magellan, located about 3,000 kilometres south of Santiago, attracts adventurers from around the world. The area is famous for its breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife, and extreme weather conditions.
- The region’s waters remain unpredictable, with strong currents and freezing temperatures.
- Cargo ships pose another threat, with whale deaths increasing due to collisions.
- Whale strandings have also become more common in the last decade.
A Miracle Escape
Adrián’s survival is nothing short of miraculous. Being swallowed by a humpback whale is an experience few could imagine, let alone survive.
For now, he and his father remain grateful. Their kayaking adventure turned into a once-in-a-lifetime story—one they will never forget.
