This Lucky Kayaker WASN’T to Whale’s TASTE!

A peaceful kayaking trip in Chilean Patagonia spiraled into terror when a humpback whale swallowed a kayaker and his vessel before spitting them out unharmed.

At a Glance

•  The incident occurred in Bahía El Águila, Strait of Magellan, Chile.

•  Adrián Simancas, 24, was kayaking with his father when engulfed by the whale.

•  The whale surfaced while feeding on krill, capturing Simancas and his yellow kayak.

•  Simancas’ father filmed the ordeal while urging his son to stay calm.

•  Both kayakers returned safely to shore without injuries.

A Breath‑Holding Moment

Adrián Simancas and his father Dell were paddling along the frigid Chilean waters when the ocean erupted beneath them. A humpback whale, mid-feed, broke the surface and unintentionally swallowed Adrián and his kayak whole. The father recorded the shocking event, narrating the unfolding chaos with remarkable composure. Inside the whale’s cavernous mouth, Adrián waited as the creature decided the unfamiliar object wasn’t prey. Within seconds, the kayak and its passenger were expelled back into the water.

Watch a report: Humpback whale swallows, then releases, kayaker in Chile

Miracles at Sea

Medical experts confirm that humpback whales, despite their enormous mouths, have throats no wider than a grapefruit—incapable of ingesting a human. Nevertheless, the risk of suffocation, drowning, or injury in such an encounter is significant. The Simancas duo’s safe return was heralded as miraculous by marine specialists. The footage has since gone viral, offering a stunning yet sobering reminder of the unpredictable power of nature.

While rare, whale‑kayaker incidents highlight the need for caution in biodiverse but hazardous marine zones. For Adrián, it’s an unforgettable brush with nature’s giants—and for the rest of us, a stark lesson in respecting wildlife boundaries.