Hello, this is Totti.
BIGHOLIDAY and we have been dormant since January 1th of this year, but we were able to successfully reopen for business today, September 6st. Yesterday and the day before yesterday we asked our repeat customers to help us with our pre-opening, and today is the big day!
8/30 Pre-pre-opening
On this day, we headed towards Shimojishima Island, where the first guests boarded the new boat "Blends". We checked the layout of the boat and where to store equipment and luggage, and had a FUN DIVE!
While we were engrossed in the bleached sea anemones and clownfish on the sandy beach, a GT came slamming in behind us! We were being cleaned by a cleaner wrasse, but it kept following us even when we left the area.
It's not so much that they stick close to you, but rather that they "poke" at you.
As a result, it was a rare pre-pre-opening where we could take as many photos of the sand and GT as we wanted.
8/31 Pre-opening
All of the repeat customers we had requested boarded the ship on this day. We started with an explanation of the boarding process, just like the real thing, but staff member Micchan pointed out that her explanation was a bit stiff. We'll do our best!! lol
Luckily, the wind died down on this day, so we headed out to the south coast of Miyakojima! We've been doing these trips before, but we'd like to do more in the future. Our main destinations will be the Yaebiji Barrier Reef in the north and the super topographical area on the south coast. Stay tuned!
Thank you very much to everyone who took the time to come. This was the final simulation day.
OPEN 9/1!
The impact of Typhoon No. 10 was felt directly, with both Irabu and Shimojishima being hit by swells! The only calm spot was the shipwreck area, and we endured the huge swells on two dives.
Regardless of the swell, the sun was shining brightly so we selected a spot that was typical of Miyakojima!
The lighting was perfect! A bang! It was a day of being tossed about by the swells, but the boat was filled with smiles.
Lord of Open concludes successfully
During our closure, we received many inquiries from repeat customers and new customers, and we spent every day feeling frustrated that we were unable to respond to them.
I took a break from my beloved diving and my beloved BIGHOLIDAY for a while, so it ended up being a long period of time for Lord of Opening.
However, I was able to keep from giving up halfway through thanks to the seniors, friends, and guests who gave me advice, the guests who told me they loved BIGHOLIDAY, the seniors who helped with the repairs, modifications, and renovations of the boat, Watanabe who will be working as a staff member, and my family.
I believe the best way to repay those who have supported us is to face the ocean, BIGHOLIDAY and our guests with sincerity, and to create an even more special BIGHOLIDAY from scratch.
Today was the first step, and I was able to show the guests my beloved ocean, and all the staff were able to help prepare it and help the guests have an exciting time. The sea conditions were a little bad today, but we were still able to see the guests' smiles. I feel so many joys now, especially at this time.
As I write this blog, I am engraving that joy in my heart and in my words, so that I will never forget it.
After this hiatus, I would like to give it my all now so that I can look back 10 years from now and look back and say that it was a good thing that I stopped. Your support has really given me strength.
See you again at the beach! Thank you very much.
Nice holiday! Super holiday!
But it's still a big holiday ♪
Totty — BIGHOLIDAY Owner's Guide
I've lived in Miyako Island for 21 years (since 2005). I specialize in fun diving. I select Miyako Island's three major dive sites more than 150 times a year, and I've done about 20,000 dives in Miyako Island. YouTube "Totty / scuba diving" shares Miyakojima diving information with more than twelve thousand subscribers.
Since 2023, we have been among the top-ranked Marine Diving Award winners for three consecutive years.
2023 Japan Coast Guard Director-General's Award (for meritorious service in maritime rescue)
Discoverer of Miyako Island's first manta ray station in 2025
