Almost Yonah: Kayaker Survives Brief Encounter Inside Humpback Whale’s Mouth
In a remarkable incident off the coast of Chilean Patagonia, a 24-year-old kayaker experienced a rare and harrowing encounter with a humpback whale. While paddling in the serene waters of the Strait of Magellan near Bahía El Águila, Adrián Simancas was unexpectedly engulfed by the massive marine mammal, only to be released moments later, unharmed.
The event, which occurred on February 8, was captured on video by Adrián’s father, Dell, who was kayaking nearby. The footage shows the whale surfacing suddenly, its open mouth encompassing Adrián and his yellow kayak before submerging briefly. Within seconds, Adrián resurfaced, visibly shaken but safe.
Recounting the ordeal, Adrián described an initial sensation of being struck by a powerful wave. “I felt a wave hit me from behind,” he recalled. “But it was too heavy to be just a wave. When I turned around, I saw dark blue and white colors flashing before my eyes and felt a slimy texture on my cheek.” In those fleeting moments, he feared the worst. “I thought I was dead,” Adrián admitted. “I believed it had swallowed me.”
Dell, witnessing the incident from a short distance, maintained composure and offered immediate reassurance to his son. In the video, he can be heard instructing Adrián to stay calm and hold onto his kayak. “Stay calm, stay calm,” Dell urged. “Don’t try to get back into the boat; head for the shoreline. I’m coming.”
Despite the terrifying experience, both father and son managed to return to shore without any physical injuries. Reflecting on the incident, Adrián expressed a newfound respect for the unpredictability of nature. “I felt blessed with a second chance to review the mistakes that led me to be there—not just in the expedition, but in life itself,” he shared. He also emphasized the importance of adhering to safety precautions during such adventures, noting that in future excursions, he plans to stay closer to the shoreline.
Marine biologists have weighed in on the rarity of such encounters. Dr. María José Pérez Álvarez, a marine biologist at Universidad de Chile and Base Millennium Institute, explained that humpback whales have small oesophagi and feed primarily on small fish and krill, making it impossible for them to swallow a human. “Humpback whales have a small oesophagus and feed on small prey, so they could not ‘devour’ or … she stated. She also highlighted that these whales possess baleen plates instead of teeth, which they use to filter their food.
The Strait of Magellan, located approximately 1,600 miles south of Santiago, Chile’s capital, is renowned for its natural beauty and attracts numerous adventure enthusiasts. While whale sightings are common in the region, incidents involving direct contact with humans are exceedingly rare. This event serves as a poignant reminder of the need for caution and respect when engaging with wildlife in their natural habitats.
In the aftermath, Adrián and Dell have expressed their intention to continue their kayaking adventures, albeit with increased vigilance and adherence to safety measures. Their experience underscores the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and the importance of preparedness and respect for the natural world.