A kayaker in Chile’s Patagonia region narrowly escaped a terrifying ordeal when a humpback whale briefly swallowed him before releasing him unharmed.

The incident occurred in the Strait of Magellan, near the San Isidro Lighthouse, while 24-year-old Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father, Dell.

Dell captured the dramatic moment on video, showing the massive whale engulfing Adrián and his inflatable kayak.

Adrián described the experience as surreal and terrifying, initially fearing he had been fully swallowed. He recalled feeling surrounded by a dark, viscous environment and thought he might not survive the encounter.

However, after a few tense moments, the whale released both Adrián and the kayak, allowing them to return to shore safely. Despite the ordeal, Adrián and his father managed to avoid serious injury, though Adrián was concerned about hypothermia due to the frigid waters.

While whale attacks on humans are incredibly rare, the encounter highlights the unpredictability of marine wildlife. Experts believe the whale’s actions were likely driven by curiosity rather than aggression.

While the kayaker’s survival is remarkable, the encounter underscores the need for caution when exploring the open waters where unpredictable creatures like whales roam.