Good morning! It's Totti!
It's 11:00 AM and we're waiting at Narita Airport to head to a southern island to inspect next year's holiday tour. Next to me, Akari seems to be busy with various things, such as Palau's financial matters and making a photo book.
Tour Report – Diving Edition
It's a BIG HOLIDAY where I'll give it my all in both work and play! Before I leave, I'll write about my [Overseas Tour 2015 in PALAU Diving Edition] before I fly! Just in time!
The first day was a battle with visibility
First of all, excluding the optional day, we only had two days, which was a limited time. Since we were dealing with nature, if we weren't careful, it was entirely possible that we would end up with bad sea conditions and poor visibility for both days. In fact, last year we had three days of rain and poor visibility in a row. Despite these concerns, our bad predictions came true on the first dive! Oh dear!!!
Somehow, the manta rays appeared and we were able to see all four teams, but it was a scary dive to think what would have happened if they hadn't. But it made me realize once again that visibility really is a factor that affects satisfaction. After all, the water in Miyakojima, where our guests always come, is never this murky.
So I thought it might be bad if this situation continued. Anyway, I requested the chief to go out to the open ocean and find a place with good visibility. Next up was Palau's No. 1 spot, "Blue Corner"! The visibility was pretty good, so let's start from here! I got fired up and went!!
One of the best diving spots in the world – Blue Corner
This is one of the best beaches in the world.
As long as the conditions are good enough, there's nothing to worry about! In the end, the only bad conditions were on the first dive on the first day, and everything else was OK! The weather was also beautiful! Overall, it was a great two days. Yesssssss!!!
This is everyday life at Blue Corner
With creatures bigger than the average dog or cat swarming about, it's no wonder the excitement is building! It's a sense of distance that you'd never get in the oceans of Japan. I think Napoleon was the one who treated me best! He let me take many of my "best shots."
From above, below, right and left, the sea is as busy as ever. Even on Okinawa's remote islands, it's impossible to have such an experience of surprises coming one after another!
Palau's iconic Blue Corner was amazing
We ended up doing three dives at Blue Corner over two days, and since many of the visitors were visiting Palau for the first time, this was the best spot to experience the true Palauan atmosphere! The entry point is completely opposite depending on the rising and falling tide, and Blue Corner has a completely different atmosphere depending on the tide and time.
There are some interesting geographical points, but Miyakojima is the best place for topography. Since we had come all the way to Palau, we wanted to enjoy the Palauan experience to the fullest, and we requested "Palauan-style diving!" In that regard, we were grateful that they included so many blue corners without any hesitation! Thanks!
Using a current hook is an experience that is hard to find in Japan. The exhilarating feeling of the incredible current rushing through your entire body is something you really have to experience for yourself to understand.
Big, big, big
We spent two days chasing big fish, doing a total of six dives. When we returned from the boat or at the izakaya at night, our guests would say things like, "I can't believe I got to see Napoleon so close!", "I saw a manta ray for the first time!", "They're so much bigger than the manta rays in Japan!", and talk about sharks, big-eyed trevally, barracudas, and more, with beaming smiles on their faces. We were so happy we could pump our fists in our hearts, and of course we were excited by the big fish ourselves.
The same sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that welled up inside me when I was able to introduce the amazing terrain of Miyakojima naturally welled up inside me in Palau. This trip made me realize once again that I go diving because I want to see and show people this ocean.
I hope to come again with everyone.
That concludes the [Overseas Tour 2015 in PALAU Diving Edition]. The next one will be [Overseas Tour 2015 in PALA Jellyfish x Milky Way Edition]! I guess it will be after I return to Japan, but I'll do my best!
Nice holiday! Big holiday!
Well, I'll be off soon!
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
