The Mona Passage  | Canal de la Mona

Important Lights: Isla de Mona: Fl W

Canal de la Mona (Mona Passage), 61 miles wide between the west end of Puerto Rico and the east end of Hispaniola, is one of the principal entrances to the Caribbean Sea. Three small islands are located in the passage: Isla de Mona and Isla Monito about midway in the south part and Isla Desecheo about 12 miles west of the extremity of Puerto Rico in the north part.  On the west side of Canal de la Mona, a bank extends from Cabo Engaño, the east extremity of Hispaniola, for 23 miles, with a least depth of 26 fathoms. Depths of 5 to 20 fathoms have been reported on the bank about 7 miles south-southeast of Cabo Engaño. Strong tide rips and heavy swells, caused by the meeting of contrary currents, are visible for many miles and mark the position of this bank. On the east side of the passage, an extensive bank makes off from the west coast of Puerto Rico extending p to 15 miles offshore. The west coast of Puerto Rico is described later in this chapter.

Currents  Tidal currents set generally south and north through Canal de la Mona. Varying