Photo: Derek D. Galon/Shutterstock

The Caribbean’s ‘Nature Island’ Just Got Easier to Reach With a New Direct Flight on United Airlines

Dominica New York City Airports + Flying
by Nickolaus Hines Oct 2, 2024

Dominica is known as the nature island. The 300-square-mile Caribbean island is located between Guadeloupe and Martinique, and it has the highest concentration of dormant volcanoes in the world, hot springs and warm streams, and ample opportunities for scuba diving over reefs encased in bubbles from the ocean floor.

It’s also off of most travelers’ radar — even among those who return to the Caribbean for vacation time and time again. Though Dominica recently became easier to get to with the second direct flight from the United States: a United Airlines flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Dominica’s Douglas-Charles Airport on Saturdays.

Douglas-Charles saw a recent upgrade that included a 6,351-foot runway extension and runway grooving that opened the door for larger aircraft and fewer cancellations. On the other side, the New York City and tri-state area is an intentional choice. It’s the area with the largest number of travelers going to Dominica.

“The new service by United Airlines is a major step forward toward the island realizing the aggressive goal that it has set for itself and is part of the strategy being pursued in concert with the development of the new international airport,” Dominica’s minister of tourism Denise Charles-Pemberton said in a press release. “This route will help alleviate the access constraints faced by the destination over the years.”

There will certainly be plenty for travelers to see in Dominica. The island may be small, but it’s still an ideal place to take a road trip. From beaches, to sea caves, to rivers and lakes, there’s also a seemingly endless number of chances to get in the water and find outdoor adventure. Current accommodations on the island cover a dreamy range of hotels — including the new InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa. It soon won’t be the only new place to stay: Dominica will add an additional 500 hotel rooms (a 25 percent increase) in 2025.

If you’re looking for a time to go, the new flight lines up nicely with Dominica’s Mas Domnik Carnival on March 3. The event is full Carnival with competitions, activities, and calypso music.

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