Joseph Isangura
24-year-old Adrián Simancas narrowly escaped death after being momentarily swallowed by a humpback whale.
The incident took place on February 8, 2025, near the San Isidro lighthouse, in the chilly waters of the Strait of Magellan.
Simancas, who was kayaking with his father, Dell, found himself in the unthinkable situation when a massive humpback whale suddenly appeared beneath him. In a swift, unexpected move, the whale opened its mouth and briefly engulfed Simancas and his kayak. Fortunately, after a tense few seconds, the whale expelled both Simancas and the kayak, sending them back into the water.
Dell, who was kayaking a little further behind, caught the entire heart-stopping moment on video. His voice can be heard on the footage, desperately telling his son to stay calm. “Hold the boat steady!” he urges, clearly terrified but doing his best to stay composed as he watches his son being swallowed by the giant creature.
Adrián vividly recalled the chilling experience. “It felt slimy and slippery inside the whale’s mouth. At first, I thought I wasn’t going to make it,” he said. “I was terrified, especially for my dad. It all happened so fast, and the cold water made me worry about getting hypothermic.”
Experts agree that this type of encounter is incredibly rare. While humpback whales are known to feed on small fish and krill, their throats aren’t big enough to swallow something as large as a human. What likely happened is that the whale mistook Simancas for food, but quickly realized it was something it couldn’t digest, and spat him out.
Also Read; Local Residents Encouraged to Stop
Seeking Traditional Healers
Despite the terrifying experience, both father and son made it safely back to the shore without a scratch. Adrián reflected on the whole event, saying, “I think the whale was just curious or maybe trying to communicate. It definitely wasn’t trying to harm me.”
While whale interactions with humans are exceedingly rare, especially in this form, this unforgettable encounter serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the ocean. The Strait of Magellan, known for its frigid waters and rich marine life, has once again proven to be a place where the power of nature can surprise even the most seasoned adventurers.
