FLOSSI AND THE WHALE
Real-Life Cases of People Ending Up in Humpback Whale Mouths
Michael Packard (2021) – The Lobster Diver Incident
In June 2021, lobster diver Michael Packard was diving off the coast of Provincetown, Massachusetts, when a humpback whale suddenly engulfed him.
Packard felt a massive force and complete darkness, realizing he was inside the whale's mouth.
He struggled for about 30 seconds, fearing he would be swallowed.
The whale surfaced and spat him out, likely realizing he was not food.
He survived with minor injuries.
Rainer Schimpf (2019) – South Africa Incident
In 2019, tour operator Rainer Schimpf was snorkelling off Port Elizabeth, South Africa, when a Bryde’s whale (a close relative of the humpback) accidentally scooped him up in its mouth while lunging for sardines.
The whale quickly realized the mistake and spit him out.
He was unharmed.
Kayaker Incident (2020) – Avila Beach, California
In 2020, two kayakers were nearly swallowed by a feeding humpback whale off Avila Beach, California.
The whale lunged up under their kayak, briefly engulfing them before they fell out of its mouth into the water.
Both kayakers survived.
Humpbacks do not eat humans—their food is tiny krill and fish.
Their throats are too small to swallow anything large.
They likely realize quickly that a human is not their intended food and eject them.
