Isla de la Mona (Mona Island), Puerto Rico

Photo courtesy of Alan Cressler. All Rights Reserved.

Mona island (Isla de la Mona, formal name) is one of the Islands of Puerto Rico, often called “The Galapagos of the Caribbean” and one of the last true secret adventure destinations in the Caribbean.   Mona Island is mysterious, breathtaking and beautifully rugged, for travelers wishing and “off the grid” adventure.

Mona Island is the third largest island on the Puerto Rico Archipelago which is made up of Isla de Vieques,  Isla de Culebra, Isla de Mona, Isla Desecheo, Monito and Caja de Muert0o. Mona is a barrio (ward) of the municipality of Mayaguez along with Isla Monito.  This Caribbean gem is an ecological reserve managed and protected by Puerto Rico’s (DRNA) Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. The island is uninhabited, but police and rangers from the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources are always on the island to manage visitors. Biologists are often on the island doing research.

Photo courtesy of Alan Cressler. All Rights Reserved.

If you love adventure, cave exploring, a feeling of solitude, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, camping on the beach, stargazing, experiencing what it would be like on a secluded island, then Mona island ought to be on your Bucket List.

 Visiting Mona Island

Very few travelers are lucky to visit Mona, and only a total of 100 visitors are allowed at one time on the island.  Nature lovers come to Isla Mona to enjoy the secluded gorgeous quiet beaches, explore the magnificent coral reefs and caves, marvel at the sights of limestone cliffs, and photograph it’s unique flora and wildlife.  During your exploration in Mona Island you’ll find petroglyphs on the walls from Tainos who made the island’s caves their homes.

Camping is allowed but you must get permits well in advance and bring all necessities.  Few tour operators go the island, it’s expensive and about 3 hours long. You can go to Mona just for a day and again you can choose to camp overnight.  Mona Island attracts many scientists and photographers.

Geography of Isla de la Mona

Isla de la Mona lies close to the middle of the Mona Passage just 41 miles off the west coast of Puerto Rico (Porta del Sol), 30 miles southwest of Isla Desecheo and 38 miles off the eastern coast of Dominican Republic. Mona Island is close to the deepest trench of the Atlantic Ocean also known as the Puerto Rico Trench, with depths of over 3,000 feet.   The Mona Passage is one of the most difficult passages in the Caribbean, even the most experienced tour guides have the utmost respect for these waters.

Isla de Mona is about 7 miles long and 4 miles wide. The island is mainly flat, a raised plateau completely framed by cliffs that drop 130 feet into the sea. A dramatic sight as you sail towards it. The land is composed of dolomite. The climate is very arid and hot with average temperatures of 80 to 90 degrees.

Habitat of Isla Mona

Mona Island is the perfect habitat and the best kept Caribbean refuge to more than a hundred endangered species, including sea turtles and giant iguanas.

More about Mona Island

• Tours & Getting to Isla Mona, Puerto Rico

• Beaches of Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico

More Interesting Videos about Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico

Documentary in Spanish