Living in New York City, I’m constantly on the go. From dodging crowds on the subway to chasing deadlines, it seems like I’m constantly moving. That frenetic energy can be both exhilarating and exhausting. That’s why every so often I dream about escaping to a place where I can slow down a bit — preferably somewhere with white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and cushy resorts. Luckily for me and all my fellow city dwellers, there are several Caribbean islands close to New York City that are just a short plane ride away.
The Caribbean may seem like it’s a world away from the bustling streets of New York City, but the truth is there are several islands that you can get to by plane in three hours or less. That makes it super easy to set off on a spontaneous weekend trip or a longer beach holiday. I love the fact that I can hop on a plane in the morning and be on a beach by noon. If you’re like me and often crave a tropical break, these are the closest Caribbean islands to New York City that you don’t need to travel far to get to.
Bermuda
Image credit – Bermuda
Did you know that you can get to Bermuda in just 90 minutes from New York City? That’s faster than driving out from Midtown to the Hamptons. While not technically in the Caribbean Sea, Bermuda is part of the Caribbean Community. Plus, it has many of the same characteristics as Caribbean islands do like alluring beaches, balmy weather, and interesting attractions.
One of the things I love about Bermuda is there’s so much to see and do on the island. Some of my favorite activities include exploring pink-sand beaches, swimming with dolphins, and scuba diving at shipwreck locations. The island also has tons of locally-owned boutiques and oceanfront restaurants that serve stellar seafood dishes. I also highly recommend wandering inside the Crystal Caves to see the otherworldly rock formations created millions of years ago during the Ice Age.
The capital city of Hamilton is the major tourist hub in Bermuda and it ticks all the boxes for me because it has everything from luxury resorts to beachfront villas, hopping bars, and enticing restaurants. Hamilton is located near the island’s only airport, the Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA). Direct flights from JFK to Bermuda on American Airlines and Delta Airlines run daily, so you can plan a weekend getaway or mid-week me-time trip on a whim.
Dominican Republic
Image credit: Visit DR now
If you’re a New Yorker who loves Dominican culture like I do, there’s a good chance you’ve danced down 6th Avenue for the annual National Dominican Day Parade. Maybe you’ve chowed down on chimis at Chimi Luisa in Washington Heights or mastered the phrase, “Que lo que!” If so, there’s no better time than the present to visit the Dominican Republic and experience that vibrant culture at its source.
Did you know New York City is home to the largest Dominican population in the U.S.? With 800,000 Dominicans living in the city, it should come as no surprise that there are tons of direct flights to the Caribbean island. Plus, traveling from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic is now even more convenient thanks to the “Open Skies” agreement, which created more routes and traveler capacity between the two countries. Even better, flights from JFK to popular destinations like Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, and Santiago take just three to four hours.
I can’t imagine anything better in the midst of a cold New York winter than treating myself to a luxury escape on the resort-lined Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana. This gorgeous corner of the island has fab restaurants, buzzing nightlife, and beautiful golf courses. If history is more your style, you can uncover the island’s colonial past in the culture-rich capital of Santo Domingo or learn about the Dominican heroes who fought for the island’s independence at the Monument District in Santiago. There’s something for everyone in the Dominican Republic, which makes it a great escape for all types of travelers.
Puerto Rico
Image credit – Discover Puerto Rico
As a New Yorker, I’ve always felt a special connection to Puerto Rico. That’s probably because New York City is home to more Puerto Ricans than anywhere else in the world outside of Puerto Rico. If you want to immerse yourself in Puerto Rican culture, you could head to El Barrio (East Harlem) or the Bronx. Then again, you could hop on a plane and see what Puerto Rican island life is really like. Flights from New York City to Puerto Rico clock in at about three hours and 45 minutes.
Heads up — you don’t need a passport to visit Puerto Rico. That makes it even easier to visit what I believe is one the best Caribbean islands close to NYC. Some of my favorite spots to visit include San Juan with its striking colonial houses, Aguadilla with its colorful boats, and the iconic Castillo San Felipe del Morro, which offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. El Yunque National Forest is also a very cool spot with waterfalls and ancient petroglyphs. Travel around the island and you’ll find lush greenery in the countryside and white sand beaches lining the shore.
You can book direct flights from JFK airport to Puerto Rico on Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, and Frontier Airlines. Spirit Airlines offers direct flights to San Juan and Aguadilla from LaGuardia (LGA).
Turks and Caicos
Image credit: Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos has always been a dream destination for me, and when I finally got to visit, I instantly understood why it was ranked among Google’s Top 10 Trending Destinations for 2024. The islands are home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches with powdery white sand and crystal clear aquamarine waters. Plus, the vibe is just laid-back and cool. Sealing the deal for me is the fact that it’s just under three hours from New York City by plane.
Skip Montauk or Rockaway Beach—Turks and Caicos takes beach bliss to another level. I highly recommend staying at a luxury resort on Grace Bay for a truly pampering experience amid stellar oceanfront views. You can also visit Bambarra Beach on Middle Caicos, which was recently named the #1 dream beach in the Caribbean by USAToday. For adventure, you can head to Long Bay Beach for kiteboarding or horseback riding in the ocean with ultra-clear waters revealing the seabed below. Beyond the beaches, you can enjoy top-notch golf at the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club or savor local flavors at the weekly Bight Fish Fry every Thursday.
Direct flights between NYC and Providenciales International Airport (PLS) make paradise easily accessible. JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines all offer direct flights leaving from JFK. United Airlines also offers direct flights out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
The Bahamas
Image credit: The Bahamas
Another one of my top Caribbean escapes is The Bahamas. The Bahamas is actually an archipelago of over 700 islands, but only 30 of those islands are inhabited. That means there are plenty of untouched gems to explore. I love setting off on boat trips in search of deserted islands where I can play Robinson Crusoe for the day. What’s even more enticing is that The Bahamas are only about three hours away!
New Providence Island is the most visited island in The Bahamas and home to the capital city of Nassau. I’m a huge fan of Nassau with its glitzy resorts, Michelin-starred celebrity chef restaurants, art galleries, shops, and lively nightlife. But you don’t have to limit yourself just to Nassau. From there, you can island-hop to other exciting destinations via ferry service or chartered plane. Bahamasair and Western Air connect to other islands as well.
If I tried to list all of the things to do in The Bahamas, you’d probably be endlessly scrolling, so I’ll mention just a few that I think are absolute must-dos. First, the Andros Barrier Reef is the world’s third-largest reef and definitely worth exploring on a boat trip. If water sports are your jam, you can also go deep-sea fishing, kiteboarding, sailing, and parasailing. The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve on Eleuthera is also worth a visit for its abundance of lush plants and tropical birds. And Moriah Harbor Cay National Park on Exuma is simply spectacular with its sand dunes, coral reefs, and blue holes.
As one of the Caribbean islands closest to New York City, it’s easy to find direct flights to Nassau from JFK. There are also several flights out of EWR and LGA. On your return, you can clear customs in the Bahamas. Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau is a U.S. pre-clearance facility, which means you can complete customs and immigration before your flight. Another win!
