Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico

Mona  is a small island, located in the Mona Passage (Canal de La Mona), about 45 miles west of Mayagüez. Mona Island is actually a ward (barrio) of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The island does not have a permanent population, except for a handful of rangers, government employees that care for the island.

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The island has been declared a national refuge for wild life, which includes several species endemic to the island. Many years ago, guano, a natural fertilizer, was collected from deposits in the island. Laborers who stayed on the island for that purpose introduced several animal species, including goats, pigs and cats. Some of these animals were left behind by the laborers and they have thrived on the island, threatening some of the native species like the iguana, the Mona boa, and several species of sea turtles that use the island as breeding grounds.

In order to control the population of these predating animals, hunting of wild pigs and goats, and some bird species, is allowed on the island at specific times of the year. Hunting season usually starts in December and runs through April of the following year. Camping is allowed from May through November. The island is also visited with permission from the Department of Natural Resources by diverse groups which include boy scout troops, campers, hunters and fishermen. Private day trips to Mona Island may be arranged by groups of twelve or less from the beaches of Cabo Rojo on the Puerto Rico mainland. Other frequent visitors to Mona Island are private yatchs from different ports in the main island.

The small island does not have lakes or other water reservoirs, which makes it unhospitable for the average tourist. You are advised to bring along all your water and food needs.

In the year 2001, a hunter who had apparently wandered off from his group was shot to death by another hunter. A few months later, a 15-year old boy was found dead from dehydration after wandering off from his group and being lost for several days.

The Mona Passage, the stretch of ocean between Mona and Mayagüez has been utilized on occasions by ships carrying Plutonium residues from Europe to Asia. The action has been criticized harshly by environmentalist groups throughout the world.