A kayaker off the coast of southern Chile was briefly scooped into the mouth of a massive humpback whale before being spat out unharmed.

The astonishing moment, which took place last weekend near Punta Arenas, was captured on camera by the kayaker’s father.

The kayaker, Adrian Simancas, was paddling alongside his father when the enormous whale suddenly surfaced beneath him, lifting him into the air.

"I Thought I Had Been Swallowed"

Recalling the heart-stopping moment, Simancas described the surreal experience: "I felt like I was being lifted, but it was clearly too strong to be a wave. When I turned, I felt something blue and white passing close to my face, like on one side and above. I didn't understand what was happening. Then everything... I went under and thought I had been swallowed."

Fortunately, within moments, the whale released him, and Simancas resurfaced completely unharmed.

A Rare But Harrowing Encounter

Humpback whales, despite their massive size, are filter feeders that consume small prey like krill and fish, making human encounters of this nature extremely rare and unintentional. Experts say the whale likely mistook the kayak for a school of fish while feeding.

The incident serves as a stunning reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, as well as the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wildlife while exploring the ocean.

Caught on Camera

Simancas’ father, who was paddling in a separate kayak, managed to capture the extraordinary event on video, adding to a growing collection of rare footage showcasing close encounters between humans and marine giants.

The footage has since gained widespread attention, with many viewers marveling at the sheer power and grace of the humpback whale while expressing relief that Simancas escaped unscathed.

Marine biologists emphasize that while such encounters are extremely rare, kayakers and boaters should always exercise caution and respect the natural behaviors of whales in their habitat. (ILKHA)