Ask our dive guides to name their favourite dive site in the Gili Islands, and the Glenn Nusa Wreck appears surprisingly often.
Not because it’s the biggest wreck.
Not because it’s the oldest.
But because, when conditions are right, few dive sites combine so many exciting elements into a single dive.
A dramatic blue-water descent.
White-tip reef sharks cruising across the sand.
Huge schools of humpback snappers.
A thriving artificial reef covered in corals.
And, for those who slow down, fascinating macro life hiding amongst the wreck itself.
The Glenn Nusa Wreck has become one of the best advanced wreck dives in the Gili Islands and is widely considered one of the highlights of scuba diving around Gili Trawangan.
Combining spectacular wreck diving, big fish encounters and a flourishing artificial reef, it offers an unforgettable experience for experienced divers.
Where Is the Glenn Nusa Wreck?
The Glenn Nusa Wreck lies between Halik and Shark Point, two of the most famous dive sites in the Gili Islands, just off the north-west coast of Gili Trawangan.
The 22-metre tugboat was intentionally sunk on 23 February 2016 as a joint project by local dive centres and the Gili Eco Trust to create a new artificial reef.
Today, the wreck rests with:
- The keel at approximately 28–30 metres
- The highest point of the wreck at around 22 metres
- The crow’s nest reaching roughly 19 metres
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Its depth and exposure to changing currents make it one of the premier advanced dive sites in the Gili Islands and a favourite among experienced divers visiting Gili Trawangan.
A Young Wreck Becoming a Living Reef
Unlike many famous shipwreck dives in Indonesia or the Bounty Wreck, the Glenn Nusa is relatively young.
That makes it fascinating to dive.
Instead of exploring a vessel that has been underwater for decades, divers can witness the remarkable transformation from a deliberately sunk tugboat into a thriving marine ecosystem.
Hard corals now cover the metal structure.
Soft corals sway in the current.
Large gorgonian sea fans decorate the wreck.
Sponges and tunicates continue to colonise every available surface.
The Glenn Nusa is one of the finest examples of how an artificial reef in the Gili Islands can quickly become a vibrant underwater habitat.
A Dramatic Blue-Water Descent
On days with little current, the dive often begins with a classic blue-water entry.
After rolling backwards from the boat, divers descend through deep blue water with nothing visible beneath them.
Then, almost magically, the outline of the wreck slowly appears below.
Watching the Glenn Nusa materialise from the blue is one of the most memorable moments of the dive and a favourite experience for many returning divers.
Sharks Before You Even Reach the Wreck
One of the first things many divers notice isn’t the wreck.
It’s the sharks.
Adult white-tip reef sharks are frequently seen resting or slowly cruising across the sandy seabed before and after exploring the wreck.
Unlike Shark Point, where many sharks spend the day sleeping beneath coral ledges, the Glenn Nusa often offers the chance to observe them actively swimming across the sand.
It is one of the reasons this has become one of the most exciting advanced scuba dives in the Gili Islands.
Surrounded by Schools of Fish
The wreck has become an oasis in the middle of the sandy seabed.
Large schools of humpback snappers often surround the structure, creating spectacular scenes for wide-angle photography.
Schools of bannerfish hover around the upper sections, while colourful oriental sweetlips gather beneath the deck.
On some dives, schools of batfish slowly circle the wreck.
Above them, powerful giant trevallies patrol the schools of smaller fish, taking advantage of the abundant life attracted to the artificial reef.
Every dive feels different, but it is rare to arrive without being surrounded by fish.
Hidden Macro Treasures
While the schooling fish immediately attract attention, the Glenn Nusa also rewards divers who take their time.
Amongst the growing corals and gorgonians you’ll often find:
- Cleaner shrimp
- Coral shrimps
- Nudibranchs
- Flatworms
- Small crabs
- Octopus
- Tiny reef fish hiding amongst the corals
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The Glenn Nusa is one of those rare dive sites where both wide-angle and macro photographers leave equally happy.
Can You Still Penetrate the Wreck?
It is still possible to enter parts of the Glenn Nusa.
However, the wreck has changed dramatically over the years.
Growing corals and large gorgonian sea fans have gradually narrowed many of the internal spaces.
In particular, swimming through the former captain’s cabin is no longer recommended, as beautiful coral growth has overtaken much of the interior.
Today, most dives focus on exploring the outside of the wreck, where the marine life is often even more spectacular.
Two Very Different Dive Plans
The Glenn Nusa can be explored in two completely different ways.
The classic wreck dive involves slowly circling the structure, searching for sharks, schooling fish and macro life before gradually ascending towards shallower water.
Because much of the wreck lies between 22 and 30 metres, bottom time is naturally limited by no-decompression limits.Â
Many divers choose to dive the Glenn Nusa using Nitrox (Enriched Air) to maximise their no-decompression time and enjoy a little longer exploring the wreck.
When conditions allow, experienced divers sometimes choose a second option.
Rather than spending the entire dive searching for macro life, they continue from the wreck towards the deep ridges of Shark Point.
Here, even larger schools of humpback snappers and fusiliers gather above the reef, while adult white-tip reef sharks are frequently seen swimming through the canyons.
It creates one of the most rewarding advanced dives in the Gili Islands.
Diving the Wreck in Strong Current
The Glenn Nusa is heavily influenced by tidal currents.
When currents become stronger, the dive plan changes completely.
Deep blue-water descents are generally avoided because the current can push divers away from the wreck and deeper into open water.
Instead, experienced guides descend to around 15 metres before swimming towards the wreck while staying close to the bottom.
This is a far more technical dive requiring excellent buoyancy, good air consumption and precise navigation.
For this reason, these dives are conducted only by experienced guides with suitably qualified divers.
Local knowledge makes all the difference.
Marine Life Highlights
Regular sightings include:
- White-tip reef sharks
- Giant trevallies
- Humpback snappers
- Schooling bannerfish
- Schooling batfish
- Oriental sweetlips
- Parrotfish
- Octopus
- Cleaner shrimp
- Nudibranchs
- Gorgonian sea fans
- Hard and soft corals
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Every dive offers something different, but large schools of fish and reef sharks are among the site’s biggest attractions.
Diving Conditions
- Level: Advanced Open Water or equivalent
- Depth: 19–30 metres
- Visibility: Typically 20–35 metres during the dry season
- Current: Moderate to strong depending on the tides
- Photography: Excellent for both wide-angle and macro photography
- Best Feature: Wreck diving, schooling fish, artificial reef and reef sharks
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Insider Tip
Don’t rush straight to the wreck.
Before descending onto the structure, spend a few moments scanning the sandy seabed.
Many of the resident white-tip reef sharks are found here, quietly cruising across the bottom before disappearing into the blue.
After exploring the wreck, don’t immediately begin your ascent.
If conditions allow, look out towards the deep ridges of Shark Point.
Some of the biggest schools of humpback snappers, hunting giant trevallies and actively swimming reef sharks are often found just beyond the wreck itself.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best advanced wreck diving in the Gili Islands, the Glenn Nusa Wreck deserves a place at the very top of your list.
It isn’t simply a shipwreck.
It’s one of the finest examples of how an artificial reef in the Gili Islands can transform into a thriving marine ecosystem.
From the dramatic blue-water descent and cruising reef sharks to the colourful gorgonians, enormous schools of fish and hidden macro life, every part of the dive offers something different.
Its depth and changing currents mean it isn’t suitable for beginners.
But for experienced divers looking for spectacular wreck diving in Gili Trawangan, unforgettable shark encounters and one of the most exciting scuba diving experiences in the Gili Islands, the Glenn Nusa is difficult to beat.
For many of our guides, it’s still their favourite dive site.
Want to explore more? Check out our Complete Guide to Dive Sites in the Gili Islands for detailed information on every major dive site, including Shark Point, Halik Reef, Turtle City, Deep Turbo, Meno Wall, and many more.