- A humpback whale in Chile’s Strait of Magellan briefly swallowed a kayaker before spitting the man back up. The incident took place on Sunday, Feb. 9, while 24-year-old Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father near Bahía El Águila.
- Marine experts believe the whale was feeding on krill or small fish and accidentally scooped up Simancas. Whales do not actively prey on humans.
- Simancas and his father returned to shore safely, despite the cold waters and their initial fears of hypothermia.
Full Story
A kayaker in Chile’s Strait of Magellan experienced a close encounter with a humpback whale when the massive marine mammal briefly swallowed him before quickly releasing him unharmed. The dramatic moment, captured on video, has since gone viral.
On Feb. 9, Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father, Dell, near Bahía El Águila by the San Isidro Lighthouse.
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Suddenly, a whale surfaced and engulfed both Simancas and his kayak.
The whale released him within seconds, and he resurfaced in the frigid waters.
How did Simancas react?
Simancas described the experience as terrifying.
“I thought I was dead. I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me,” he said.
His father, just meters away, remained calm and encouraged his son to “stay calm” after he reappeared.
Despite feeling initially relieved, Simancas worried for his father’s safety and fretted about making it to shore in time to avoid hypothermia.
What caused the incident?
Marine experts believe the whale was likely feeding on krill or small fish and accidentally scooped up Simancas in the process. Whales do not actively prey on humans; incidents like this are extremely rare.
The Strait of Magellan, located 1,600 miles south of Santiago, Chile, is a well-known tourist destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
While whale attacks on humans are uncommon, collisions between whales and cargo ships have increased recently.
How dangerous are the waters?
Even during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, the waters in the region remain cold, with temperatures ranging from 39°F to 68°F. These conditions pose a significant challenge for sailors, swimmers and kayakers.
What happened after the incident?
After a few moments in the water, Simancas managed to reach his father’s kayak and received assistance. Both he and his father made it back to shore unharmed.
The incident highlighted both nature’s unpredictability and the resilience of those who venture into the wild waters of Chilean Patagonia.
