Meet the site
Great Glennie Island is the big island of the Glennie Group, the cluster of granite islands that lies off Norman Bay in full view of the Tidal River campground, and the group is the offshore diving most Prom-based club trips actually do because it is only 5 km from the beach launch. The island is a steep granite dome with cliffs on its western face and boulder slopes on the east. Underwater the boulder slopes drop from bull kelp shallows through gullies and overhangs to sand at 25–35 m, with sponge, zoanthid, gorgonian and sea-whip cover increasing with depth, and the western faces are steeper walls. Divers report seals regularly – the Glennies hold haul-outs – along with Port Jackson and draughtboard sharks, fiddler rays, blue devils, boarfish, morwong and schools of sweep and butterfly perch, and the kelp forests on the eastern side are among the healthiest on the Prom. Visibility is typically 15–25 m. The island's eastern side and Ramsbotham Rocks give shelter in south-easterlies, which is when the group is most often dived; the western walls need a rare flat day. Great Glennie is the natural first offshore dive for a boat based at Tidal River, a step down in commitment from the Anser Group and Skull Rock but with the same granite scenery and clear water, and with Dannevig's cave and Bum Rock a few hundred metres to the south for a second dive. It is within the marine national park; no take.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Great Glennie Island is recorded as Island in Wilsons Promontory. The listed access is boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Great Glennie Island suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Great Glennie Island through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Australian fur seals, bull kelp forests, sponges, zoanthids, gorgonians and sea whips, Port Jackson and draughtboard sharks, fiddler rays, blue devils, boarfish, morwong, sweep, butterfly perch, southern rock lobster
Location
Largest island of the Glennie Group, about 5 km west of Norman Bay and Tidal River on the western side of Wilsons Promontory; the group also includes Dannevig, Citadel and McHugh Islands.
Facilities nearby
Departure from Tidal River beach ramp, Port Welshpool or Sandy Point; No air fills at Tidal River or Port Welshpool; the nearest compressor is roughly 100 km away (Melbourne's south-east or Inverloch/Leongatha area by arrangement) – bring all cylinders or a portable compressor
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
scubadoctor.com.auweareexplorers.coscubadoctor.com.audivelatrobe.org.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.