Image Credit: (Giles Laurent/Wikipedia)
Kayaker Adrián Simancas was momentarily swallowed by a humpback whale off Punta Arenas, Chile, before being spat out. His father captured the terrifying moment on video. Simancas described the experience as surreal, fearing he had been eaten. Fortunately, both he and his father escaped unharmed from the shocking encounter.
A shocking incident unfolded off the coast of Punta Arenas, Chile, when 24-year-old kayaker Adrián Simancas was momentarily swallowed by a humpback whale before being spit out.
Simancas was paddling alongside his father, Dell, on February 8, 2025, when the massive whale unexpectedly surfaced beneath him. With little warning, the animal’s mouth engulfed both the kayaker and his inflatable vessel before releasing him seconds later. His father, who was recording the trip, unintentionally captured the terrifying moment on video.
In an interview, Simancas recalled the overwhelming experience, describing a slimy texture and a sudden sense of being trapped. He initially feared he had been swallowed completely. "I saw dark blue and white, then suddenly, I was sinking," he recounted.
Despite the ordeal, neither Simancas nor his father sustained any injuries. Experts explained that while humpback whales do not consume humans due to their small esophagus, they may unintentionally scoop them up while feeding.
Reflecting on the moment, Dell admitted his only panic came when he momentarily lost sight of his son before seeing him resurface.
The incredible encounter highlights the unpredictability of wildlife interactions and the power of nature in the vast waters of Chile.
