Puerto Rico is surrounded on three sides by the continental shelf, providing its waters with an abundance of marine life and interesting underwater topography. Puerto Rico’s diverse reefs, caves, sea walls and marine trenches have garnered its seas international recognition among the scuba diving community, luring divers of all experience levels to explore the waters.
Of the many bays, coves, and islands of Puerto Rico, Mona Island is known as “the Galapagos of the Caribbean.” With over 250 different species of fish swimming through the waters of Mona Island, it is one of Puerto Rico’s natural wonders and primary attractions for experienced scuba divers. The waters are a protected ecological preserve, which always allows for better views when diving. Marine life at Mona Island is abundant, and divers regularly glimpse giant sea turtles, whales, dolphins and even world class blue marlins as these species migrate through the Mona Passage.
Although Mona Island is one of the premier dive sites in Puerto Rico, don’t be disappointed if you haven’t heard of it–or if you’ve been to the island and somehow missed it altogether. Because Mona is situated 40 miles west of the town of Mayaguez on the west coast of Puerto Rico, those who want to visit will have to take a five or six hour boat ride to reach the island. The waters can be rough, making for a ride to remember and brag about later! Additionally, those who wish to brave the waters will want to make the arrangements with one of the Mona Island Liveaboards who offer weeklong packages as it’s really the only way to dive Mona.
Once the journey to Mona Island is complete, those who make it there won’t be disappointed. The best diving sites are located along its Western and Southern shores–and largely accessible through seasonal liveaboards that operate mostly in the winter months. Divers can expect an experience that lives up to the hype of Mona Island being one of the last great, untouched shorelines in the Caribbean. Under the water’s surface, rugged rock formations and coral covered boulders the size of mansions overwhelm divers. The sheer walls face the open ocean, begging divers to come and explore the vast blue. Some divers have described Mona’s dive sites as cliff diving, because divers swim along sheer cliffs that jut up and out of the water. There are also caves to explore within the rock walls. Sites such as “The Isthmus” and “Boqueron Reef” along the southwest are among the named sites of Mona, and the boats often head for safety and rest stops at the “One Particular Harbor.”
Mona Island is most notable for its location along the migratory routes of big pelagics. Sharks, whales, dolphins, and other large marine animals make their way through the passage, especially during the fall and winter months. Divers regularly experience these encounters, as the local liveaboard operators plan weeklong dive trips with the intent of viewing these pelagics at the dive sites of the “Silver Banks” and “Southern Pride.”
Mona Island’s “neighbor,” Little Monita, is also accessible through the local liveaboards, and it offers excellent drift diving and pinnacle diving. At the Monita Island dive sites such as “Hobbit House,” sharks and other big pelagics swarm around an open-ocean pinnacle mount. Some dive operators will also take Mona Island visitors to the Desecheo Islands, a Federal Wildlife Preserve that is host to dozens of dive sites. The well-preserved marine ecosystem of Desecheo also makes these islands a unique diving spot for all underwater enthusiasts. In addition the “Bomber Anchor Valley” dive site provides interesting spur and groove formations to check out.
Divers who access Mona Islands should be aware; however, that deep water and rough surface conditions can limit diving to intermediate or advanced divers only. Rough entries and exits are common, with swells as high as 8-9 feet (up to 3m). Good practice and brushing up on skills will prove helpful, especially when getting off and back on the boat. Visibility is generally excellent (<30 m). Water temperatures are generally in the 80s, but can dip into the 70s during the autumn and winter months.
There’s no doubt that the Mona Island experience is worth the hassle of getting there, but by no means is that a cry for mass tourism. Most divers enjoy the tranquility that accompanies the feeling that they’re the only one in the water. And, it’s that very feeling that will likely keep divers from sharing “too much” about how great the experience is and keeping Mona Island a secret–at least for a little while longer.