In an extraordinary incident in Chilean Patagonia, kayaker Adrian Simancas found himself briefly engulfed by a humpback whale while paddling with his father, Dell, near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan. The event, captured on video by Dell, went viral as it showed the whale surfacing and swallowing Adrian along with his kayak, only to release him seconds later without injury.
As his father urged him to remain calm, Adrian expressed his initial terror, fearing for his life and worrying about his father’s safety after emerging from the water. “I thought I was dead,” he later recounted, highlighting the fear that engulfed him, particularly the thought of hypothermia or harm to his father. Despite the frightening encounter, both Adrian and Dell returned safely to shore.
The Strait of Magellan, located about 3000km south of Chile’s capital Santiago, is known for its cool waters and adventure tourism. While whale interactions with humans are rare, concerns about whale safety have risen due to increased cargo ship traffic leading to deadly collisions. This lucky escape serves as both a reminder of the majesty of marine life and the unpredictability of nature.