A 23-year-old recounted his terrifying experience of being swallowed by a humpback whale. While kayaking in Bahia El Aguila, Chile, he and his boat were suddenly engulfed by the massive creature.
BAHIA EL AGUILA, CHILE – The last thing kayaker Adrian Simancas expected on his trip was to end up inside a humpback whale’s mouth. Yet, for a few surreal moments, that’s exactly where he found himself.
The 23-year-old had been paddling near the San Isidro Lighthouse in Chile’s Strait of Magellan when the massive creature surfaced, engulfing both him and his kayak. Before he could process what was happening, the whale spat him back out, leaving him dazed but miraculously unharmed.
Simancas described the experience as surreal, recalling the dark blue and white colors before feeling a slimy texture against his face. “I closed my eyes to brace for impact, but it was soft, like being hit by a wave,” he said.
CHILEAN KAYAKER SURVIVES BEING ENGULFED BY HUMPBACK WHALE
A viral video captured by his father, who was paddling nearby, has drawn global attention. While many playfully compared Simancas to Jonah and Pinocchio, marine biologists clarified that humpback whales lack the ability to swallow humans due to their small esophagus and filter-feeding anatomy.
Despite his survival, experts warn against close interactions with whales. “A humpback whale is around 18 meters long. Even unintentionally, it could have seriously injured him,” said marine biologist María José Pérez Álvarez.
Kayaking professionals in the region also raised concerns over safety measures. Guillermo Meza, a kayaking tour operator, stated that Simancas and his father had ventured too far into open waters. “We advise maintaining a distance of more than 100 meters from whales,” he said.
“CHILEAN KAYAKER’S VIDEO EMERGES AFTER SURVIVING ENCOUNTER WITH HUMPBACK WHALE.”
Chilean law requires a legal sighting distance of at least 100 meters from whales, something Simancas insists he did not violate. “The whale lunged from behind. It was a total surprise,” he said.
Following the encounter, Simancas and his father carefully navigated their way back, their journey cut short due to a damaged paddle. Reflecting on the experience, Simancas says it has deepened his respect for nature. While he plans to continue his outdoor adventures, he will be taking extra safety precautions. “I felt blessed with a second chance,” he said. “But I’ll be waiting until next season before going rafting again.”
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