Mona Island Supply Trail
Uninhabited island crossing with pristine beaches
Mona Island Supply Trail crosses the 22-square-mile uninhabited island between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, following the old supply route that once serviced lighthouse keepers and research stations. The trail starts at Playa Sardinera and winds through razor-sharp limestone karst, massive iguanas, and coastline that looks like Mars landed in the Caribbean. The western section passes through caves where Taíno petroglyphs cover the walls, while the eastern route climbs 200-foot sea cliffs with views to Hispaniola on clear days.
This is extreme remote territory requiring self-contained 4WD with spare tires, GPS navigation, and enough fuel for the entire island circuit. You’ll need a boat to reach Mona — charter flights land on the abandoned airstrip when weather permits. The limestone surface tears up tires and there’s zero infrastructure, no cell service, and no fresh water sources. Bring everything including emergency supplies, as weather can strand you for weeks. The reward is camping on deserted beaches with world-class snorkeling and hiking through landscape that hasn’t changed since Columbus sailed past in 1494.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 15 mi / 24.1 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 279 ft |
| Best season | November-May |
| Minimum vehicle | Self-contained 4WD with spare tires |
| Nearest town | Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
| Land manager | Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What kind of vehicle do you actually need to drive Mona Island Supply Trail?
You need a self-contained 4WD — think short-wheelbase, high clearance, with skid plates. The limestone karst terrain is brutal on tires and suspension, so bring at least two full-size spares. This island chews up stock rigs.
When is Mona Island accessible and are there weather risks to know about?
November through May is the reliable window — calmer seas for the boat crossing and drier conditions on the island. Hurricane season (June–November) is a hard pass; rough crossings and flash floods on limestone terrain are genuinely dangerous out there.
Do you need a permit to drive and camp on Mona Island?
Yes — permits are required through the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources (DNER) for both access and camping. Camping is limited to designated areas and visitor numbers are capped, so book well in advance, especially for the dry season.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what should you actually expect?
The interior limestone plateau is the brutalist stretch — sharp, unpredictable karst rock that shreds tires fast, with no recovery help anywhere on the island. There are no bailout options mid-trail; if something breaks, you're dealing with it yourself until the next scheduled boat.
How do you even get a vehicle to Mona Island, and is there fuel or water once you're there?
Vehicles are barged over from Mayagüez — coordinate transport through a local charter operator well ahead of your trip. There is zero fuel and no potable water infrastructure on the island, so arrive fully fueled, carry all your water, and run a completely self-sufficient setup for the full 3–5 days.
Trail track
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