It looks like a scene ripped straight out of a big-budget disaster movie or a biblical myth. Two paddlers are sitting in a yellow kayak, the water is calm, and suddenly, the ocean floor seems to rise up and inhale them. Most people have seen the footage of the kayak swallowed by humpback whale incident by now. It’s terrifying. It’s chaotic. It’s also deeply misunderstood by a lot of people who think whales are out there hunting humans.
They aren't.
But being inside the mouth of a 40-ton mammal is a very real possibility if you don’t know how "lunge feeding" works.
The Day the Ocean Opened Up
In November 2020, Julie McSorley and Liz Cottriel were out off the coast of Avila Beach, California. It was a beautiful day. They were watching whales from what they thought was a safe distance. Then, the water started boiling with silver—thousands of small fish called menhaden or "bunker." When that happens, you’re basically sitting on a dinner plate.
A humpback whale doesn't have teeth like a shark. It has baleen plates. To eat, it swims upward at high speeds, opens its mouth to a nearly 90-degree angle, and engulfs everything in its path. In this specific case, the kayak swallowed by humpback whale moment happened because the whale wasn't looking for a plastic boat; it was looking for the massive school of fish the boat happened to be floating on top of.
Liz Cottriel later told reporters she saw the white of the whale's mouth before everything went dark. Imagine that for a second. One moment you're chatting about the weather, the next you are literally inside a living creature.
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Why the Whale Didn't (and Couldn't) Eat Them
Here is the thing: a humpback whale's throat is about the size of a grapefruit. Even if it wanted to swallow a human, it physically cannot. They are filter feeders. Once the whale realized it had a mouthful of plastic and "not-fish," it simply opened its mouth and let them out.
The ladies popped back up to the surface. They were shaken, obviously. Liz even had to shake a few small fish out of her shirt. But they were alive. The kayak was upright. The whale went back to its business. It’s a miracle they weren't crushed by the sheer weight of the animal’s jaw, which can exert incredible pressure.
Understanding the "Lunge Feeding" Danger Zone
If you're going out on the water, you have to recognize the signs of a lunge feed before it starts. The kayak swallowed by humpback whale incident wasn't a freak accident in the sense that it was unpredictable; the signs were all there.
- Bait Balls: If you see the water "shimmering" or "boiling," those are prey fish. Get away. Now.
- Bird Activity: If seagulls are diving frantically in one spot, they are picking off the fish pushed to the surface by a whale from below.
- Bubbles: Humpbacks use "bubble net feeding" where they blow a ring of bubbles to trap fish. If you see a circle of bubbles, you are in the strike zone.
Honestly, it’s easy to get mesmerized. You see a whale 50 yards away and you want a better photo. So you paddle closer. But these animals move faster than you think. A humpback can travel vertically at a speed that leaves a kayaker zero time to react once the mouth breaks the surface.
Legal and Ethical Realities of Whale Watching
Most people don't realize that getting too close to a whale isn't just dangerous—it’s actually illegal in many places. In the U.S., the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) is the law of the land. It generally requires you to stay at least 100 yards away.
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When the kayak swallowed by humpback whale footage went viral, it sparked a massive debate in the marine biology community. Experts like those at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pointed out that while the whale didn't mean any harm, the humans had put themselves in a position where the animal couldn't avoid them.
Whales are focused. When they are feeding, they aren't looking for kayaks. They are looking at the sonar-like feedback of the fish. If you're in the way, you're just collateral damage.
Survival Tips for Kayakers
If you find yourself in a situation where whales are active, don't panic. But don't stay still either.
- Paddle Parallel: Don't try to outrun a whale by paddling away in a straight line if it's heading your direction. Paddle parallel to the shore or away from the bait balls.
- Make Noise: Some experts suggest tapping your paddle on the side of the boat. Whales have incredible hearing. Let them know you aren't a school of fish.
- Stay Grouped: A single kayak looks like a piece of debris. A group is more likely to be noticed, though this isn't a guarantee.
- Wear Your PFD: The biggest risk in the kayak swallowed by humpback whale event wasn't being eaten—it was being thrown into the water and potentially knocked unconscious or entangled. Both women in Avila Beach were wearing life jackets. That's why they are still here.
The Psychological Aftermath
We talk about the physical danger, but what about the head space? Liz Cottriel mentioned in interviews that for a while, she didn't even want to look at the ocean. Having a multi-ton creature rise up beneath you is a level of "nature's power" that most people never have to confront. It changes your perspective on how small we really are.
We like to think we are the masters of the environment. Then a whale almost accidentally eats you because you were in the way of its lunch. It’s a humbling thought.
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Practical Steps for Your Next Outing
If you are planning to go kayaking in areas like Monterey Bay, Avila Beach, or the Pacific Northwest, you need to be proactive.
Check the local whale watching reports before you head out. These reports tell you where the high concentrations of baitfish are. If the "hot spot" is near the pier, maybe choose a different launch point that day.
Keep your eyes on the horizon, not your phone screen. A lot of people miss the warning signs because they are trying to frame a shot. By the time you see the whale in your viewfinder, it might be too late to move.
If a whale does breach or lunge near you, stay low in your boat to keep your center of gravity. If you fall out, stay away from the kayak. The whale might bump the boat, and you don't want to be caught between a 40-ton animal and a hard plastic shell.
Respect the distance. That 100-yard rule isn't just a suggestion; it’s a survival guide. The kayak swallowed by humpback whale story ended happily with no major injuries, but it serves as a permanent reminder that the ocean is a wild place where we are merely guests, not the main characters.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Local Regulations: Always look up the specific distance requirements for marine mammals in your specific region (e.g., 100 yards for most whales, 200 yards for Orcas in some areas).
- Invest in a Bright Kayak: Visibility matters. Yellow or orange boats are easier for boaters and potentially whales to spot against the blue/grey water.
- Learn to Read the Water: Study "bait ball" behavior and "bubble netting" videos on YouTube so you can recognize the signs of a feeding whale before it surfaces.
- Keep Your Life Jacket On: As proven in Avila Beach, your PFD is your most important piece of safety gear when the unexpected happens.