Watch: Humpback Whale Engulfs Kayaker In Patagonia, Then Lets Him Go

A thrilling yet terrifying moment unfolded in the Strait of Magellan last Saturday when a humpback whale briefly swallowed a 24-year-old kayaker before letting him go unharmed.

The incident took place near the San Isidro Lighthouse in Chilean Patagonia and was captured on video by the kayaker’s father.

Chilean national Adrian Simancas was paddling with his father, Dell Simancas, in Bahia El Aguila, about 40 nautical miles south of Punta Arenas, when the whale surfaced from below and engulfed him along with his small yellow kayak.

Within seconds, the whale let him go, as humpbacks are incapable of consuming large prey due to their narrow esophagus and diet of krill and small fish.

Dell, who was just meters away, recorded the entire incident. In the video, he can be heard shouting for Adrian to stay calm and grab the kayak.

Talk about a close call! Two kayakers were almost swallowed by a breaching humpback whale 🐋 off Avila Beach, CA. It capsized the kayak but luckily they are okay. Check it out from two amazing points of view. pic.twitter.com/D6VvyA211H

— Pattrn (@pattrn) November 4, 2020

Despite the terrifying experience, Adrian managed to swim towards his father’s raft, which towed him back to shore safely. Although shaken by the ordeal, he was unharmed.

Adrian later described the moment to local media, saying that he saw dark blue and white colours pass by his face before being dragged underwater. At first, he thought he had been swallowed completely and feared for his life.

However, his life vest pulled him back to the surface within seconds, allowing him to regain his bearings and realise what had happened.

Dell recounted that he initially started filming the outing because he noticed waves forming nearby, which he found exciting. Suddenly, he heard a strong wave hit behind him and turned around to find that Adrian and his kayak had disappeared.

Adrian resurfaced, followed by his kayaks within seconds.

Whale swallows whole a 20-year-old man in Chile, along with his kayak, while his father watches and films the shocking encounter.

Thankfully, the whale spat him out quickly and he was fine.

The father kept calm the whole time and coached his son to safety. pic.twitter.com/YPt3TPpijX

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 13, 2025

Despite the shocking experience, the father-son duo showed resilience, stating that they would not be deterred from kayaking in the future.

Wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta explained that the humpback whale was most likely lunge-feeding at the time of the incident. She clarified that these marine mammals do not target human-sized prey and lack the anatomical capability to swallow a person.

Pirotta added that the kayaker was simply in the whale’s path as it pursued food.

In a similar incident off Avila Beach, California, in 2020, a humpback whale nearly swallowed a kayaker before releasing him. A GoPro video from that incident showed the whale surfaced, indicating that it was engaged in feeding behaviour.

The Strait of Magellan, a prime tourist destination in Chile’s southernmost Patagonia region, is known for its breathtaking outdoor activities and diverse wildlife.

Kayaking among dolphins and humpback whales is a popular adventure advertised on Chile’s tourism website. However, the region’s frigid waters pose a challenge for swimmers and explorers, with summer temperatures ranging from 39°F (4°C) to 68°F (20°C).

Reference: CNN, AP News

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