Booking your direct flights from Atlanta to Caribbean destinations just got a whole lot easier. There are 16 nonstop flights from the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta to a fabulous selection of Caribbean islands, the majority of which are only a couple of hours away. You can fly across in the morning, and expect to be on the beach with a rum-punch in hand before lunchtime.
So, whether you’re looking for a last-minute, spontaneous getaway, or you’ve been planning this trip for months, here are our picks for the best Caribbean Islands with a direct flight from Atlanta.
16 non-stop flights from Atlanta to the Caribbean
If you’re looking to take a vacation, there is no better place to travel to than the Caribbean. The wide array of islands offer endless sunshine, incredible beaches, calm turquoise waters and some of the nicest luxury villas and hotels in the world.
There are many islands within 5 hours of Atlanta, and you can even reach some of The Bahamas in just 2 hours. Whether you’re looking for the cheapest flights available, or don’t mind splashing out a bit, there’s something for everyone.
| LOCATION | AIRPORT CODE | FLIGHT TIME FROM ATLANTA (ATL) | BEST AVAILABLE AIRLINES |
| Antigua | ANU | 4 Hrs 10 Mins | American Airlines, Delta |
| Aruba | AUA | 3 Hrs 55 Mins | Delta, Southwest |
| Bahamas | NAS | 2 Hrs 00 Mins | Delta |
| Bonaire | BON | 4 Hrs 20 Mins | Delta, United Airlines |
| Cancun | CUN | 2 Hrs 30 Mins | AeroMexico, Delta |
| Grand Cayman | GCM | 2 Hrs 35 Mins | Delta, Southwest |
| Jamaica | MBJ | 2 Hrs 45 Mins | Delta, JetBlue |
| Puerto Rico | SJU | 3 Hrs 30 Mins | Delta, Frontier Airlines |
| Punta Cana | PUJ | 3 Hrs 25 Mins | Delta |
| Santo Domingo | SDQ | 3 Hrs 15 Mins | American Airlines, Delta |
| St Croix | STX | 3 Hrs 45 Mins | American Airlines, Delta |
| St Kitts and Nevis | SKB | 4 Hrs 00 Mins | Delta |
| St Lucia | UVF | 4 Hrs 20 Mins | American Airlines, Delta |
| St Martin/Saint Maarten | SXM | 4 Hrs 05 Mins | Delta |
| St Thomas | STT | 3 Hrs 35 Mins | Delta |
| Turks and Caicos | PLS | 2 Hrs 50 Mins | Delta, JetBlue |
1. Antigua
Antigua is the southern, and larger, island of the country Antigua and Barbuda, which lies in the north-east curve of the Caribbean sea. From Atlanta, it takes just over four hours to reach this gorgeous destination, but it’s well worth the wait.
One of the key attractions here is the wide selection of beaches. 365 of them, to be exact. If you’re looking to go on a particularly extensive vacation, you could visit one beach every single day of the year!
Antigua is 108 square miles of rainforest-covered mountains and perfect views: a little slice of paradise only a brief flight away. And, despite its petite size (about eleven times smaller than Rhode Island, for perspective) there’s so much to see and do. Whether you’re looking for a romantic honeymoon destination or a family getaway, Antigua has you covered.
2. Aruba
Aruba is located just off the coast of Venezuela, around four hours away from Atlanta, but the island itself is a constituent of the Netherlands.
Due to its closer proximity to the equator, Aruba is one of the hottest Caribbean islands, which makes it a fantastic home for many cold-blooded creatures like lizards, as well as some more unusual guests like the flocks of flamingos that gather at the Renaissance Resort and Casino. Within the warm seas you can find hammerhead sharks, lobsters, an assortment of rays, and colorful collections of tropical fish.
February in Aruba is carnival time. You can expect to see wild, elaborate displays as people from all over the island join in and parade around, singing and dancing. It’s a vibrant, electric experience you don’t want to miss out on!
3. Bahamas
The Bahamas is a large series of islands located just above Cuba, starting a little way off the coast of Florida. There are many flights from Atlanta to the capital, Nassau, to choose from; Delta offers 3 or more flights a week depending on the time of year.
Nassau is a gorgeous island and features some excellent family-friendly places to stay, such as the Atlantis Resort. Or, if you’re looking for a little more luxury, try the Albany Resort instead. This elegant country club offers some of the best golf, tennis, and sports facilities in the entire Caribbean. Alternatively, come and stay in one of our stunning villas, and enjoy life at a pace which suits you.
Even as you move further out, towards some of the more distant islands, the Bahamas still has so much to offer. Both Harbour Island and the Exumas are just a short hop from Nassau – perfect for a day trip or two. There are a plethora of locations where you can charter a yacht or sailboat, and cruise around to your heart’s content.
4. Bonaire
Bonaire is another location just north of Venezuela, operating as a municipality of the Netherlands, just like its neighbor Aruba.
Watersports are more of an attraction here than beaches. Bonaire is a fabulous environment for the brave-hearted, as you can wind-surf, go jet-skiing, or dive below the surface. In fact, Bonaire has earned a reputation as one of the best shore-diving spots in the Caribbean. In their world famous Marine Park, you can explore the extensive coral reef, and make friends with over 300 species of tropical fish.
5. Cancun (Mexico)
Whilst not an island in itself, Cancun offers perfect access to a number of neighboring Mexican islands, such as Isla Mujeres. If you split your vacation between these two sites, you’re sure to get the best of both worlds.
We offer a fabulous selection of exclusive resorts and villas in Cancun, our favorite of which is Villa Sha: a six bedroom, beachfront property with exquisite views, directly across from Isla Mujeres. There are plenty of opportunities around for shopping, clubbing, and action-packed watersports. And, just a short trip across the water, you get to Isla Mujeres; a pristine spot, perfect for wandering across white-gold sands, lounging in brilliant blue waters (including Playa Norte, which is considered one of the best beaches in all of Mexico), and immersing yourself in the local culture.
Due to Cancun’s size and popularity, you’re not just limited to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport. You can get cheap, non-stop flights from a host of locations, such as:
- New York (4hrs 20mins),
- Dallas (2hrs 45mins with Spirit Airlines),
- Los Angeles (4hrs 30mins)
- Orlando (2hrs 10mins)
Then, should you feel like it, you can spend a couple of days exploring Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located.
6. Grand Cayman
There are six flights per week with Delta Airlines from Atlanta to Grand Cayman making it one of the most easily accessible Caribbean Islands to visit. And, when the average flight time is just over two and a half hours, there’s no reason to miss out.
Grand Cayman is the largest out of the three islands, located over 82 miles west away from Little Cayman. The secluded, remote nature lends itself well to a sense of peace and relaxation. The capital, George Town, is known for its fine selection of luxury goods. On the days you don’t spend lounging on the beach, take a tour around some art galleries, and make a splash in several designer shops. Then, end the evening in style with some fabulous food at our favorite spots – either Blue Cilantro, or Tillies.
7. Jamaica
A non-stop flight from Atlanta to either Kingston (KIN) or Montego Bay (MBJ), Jamaica, will take you just under three hours. From the moment you step off the plane you’ll feel the vacay vibes kick in.
Jamaica is an island with a rich, dense culture, and, in our experience, is home to some of the most wonderfully warm and welcoming people you’ll ever meet. Everywhere you go is an intense explosion of color, sound, and amazing food. Whether you’re in the mood for lush rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls, or crystal clear beach-fronts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Jamaica is one of the most popular locations in the Caribbean for weddings and honeymoons. Check out our range of gorgeous villas around the island, perfect for a romantic getaway of your dreams.
8. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is an iconic location, and one of the larger islands in the Caribbean archipelago. Its capital, San Juan, welcomes millions of arrivals each year. A large point of attraction is that it’s one of several destinations in the Caribbean that you, as a US citizen, can visit without a passport. And a plethora of cheap flights means the only limitation is the time you spend debating to go!
Puerto Rico offers a wonderful combination of stunning scenery, lovely beaches and exotic Latin flavor. The island is rich in culture and heritage with plenty of Spanish Colonial architecture, all with the bonus of modern infrastructure.
9. Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
The Dominican Republic is the ideal location to visit for families or large groups due to the exclusive gated resort areas that are located across the country. The most popular of these areas is Punta Cana, found at the very tip of the east-coast.
Punta Cana offers stunning views over both the Caribbean sea and the Atlantic ocean, making you feel like you’re on the edge of the world. And, due to its high levels of tourism, there’s so much to do every single day!
Whether you want a relaxing vacation, lounging next to turquoise waters, or an action-packed week, dune-buggying, horse-back riding, and clubbing – the choice is totally yours. It’s also known as a golfers’ paradise, being home to some of the best championship golf courses in the world.
10. Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
Another popular Dom-Rep destination, Santo Domingo is the capital of this country, and is one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean. Its colonial center is a UNESCO world heritage site; everywhere around it is a melting pot of ancient and modern, indigenous and European.
Take some time away from the beaches, and instead make your way down cobblestone streets, shopping and eating to your heart’s content.
11. St. Croix
St Croix is a beautiful spot located in the US Virgin Islands, and is one of the easiest places in the Caribbean to get to from the US without a passport. It is the largest and most southerly of the 3 Virgin Islands, with its sister locations being St. Thomas and St. John.
A historic European influence, predominantly Danish after they purchased the island in the 1700s, has left a big impact over St. Croix. You can find the ruins and remains of sugar plantations, ancient archaeological sites, and well-preserved colonial era townhouses. The historic towns of Frederiksted and Christiansted offer quaint shops, charming pastel buildings and refreshing cultural diversity.
Overall, St. Croix is renowned for its relaxing, easy-going vibes which makes visiting such a delight. The day seems to flow at your own pace, and getting from one spot to the other is never a rushed affair. If this sounds like an ideal vacation, hop on one of the Delta flights from Atlanta, or American Airlines from Miami, and be across the Caribbean in under four hours.
12. St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis are two gorgeous little islands, north-west of Antigua and Barbuda. For commercial travel, you’ll land on St. Kitts and then have the option to take a water taxi across the Narrows to Nevis. Alternatively, if you’re arriving privately, then there is a landing strip on Nevis designed to accommodate smaller aircraft.
A non-stop, round trip from Atlanta to St. Kitts will set you back somewhere in the region of $800 depending on the time of year. Or, if you’re looking for ways to save money on the trip so you can spend more on the island, a non-stop, round trip from Miami cuts flight prices in half.
If you’re looking to indulge in a slice of history, you might be pleased to know that Nevis was the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, and many parts of the island have been preserved or restored to how they would have looked hundreds of years ago.
And who could fail to mention the Four Seasons Resort? With fine dining, exquisite views, and five-star service, this opulent pearl of the Caribbean is a master-class in all things luxury.
13. St. Lucia
St. Lucia is home to lush rainforests, volcanic beaches, and cascading waterfalls, with towering, pointed mountains that seem to have come straight from a picture-book. Scenically, it doesn’t get much better than this.
It’s one of the most romantic places to visit in the Caribbean, and not just because of the divine chocolate it produces (and chocolate, as you may well know, is often described as having aphrodisiac qualities). This is perhaps one of the most incredible honeymooning destinations there is, absolutely perfect for a couples’ retreat for a few weeks as you’re treated to soothing massages, sunset cruises, and mouth-watering dishes.
Then, come home to one of dozens of our villas, nestled along the coastlines and coves, just waiting to make your already incredible trip that little bit more spectacular.
14. St. Martin/ Sint Maarten
St Martin/ Sint Maarten is a unique island with an elaborate and fascinating history to explore. In 1648, the island was partitioned by the French and Dutch forces – a partition that still exists today. Consequently, each side of the island has a distinctive culture and ambience.
On the French side (St. Martin), you have a wonderful selection of beaches, including Baie Rouge and Baie Longue. This part of the island is generally more laid-back and tranquil, with opportunities for shopping and indulging. Just be wary you don’t accidentally stumble onto the several nudist beaches that dot the coast! But, by all means, don’t let us stop you if you happen to wander that way deliberately.
Its neighboring Dutch side (Sint Maarten) is home to festivities, a grand nightlife, and a selection of casinos. But don’t worry. There is free travel between both sides of the island, so you’re certainly not limited to just one half. Take the time to enjoy both, and relax in one of our beautiful villas once you’re all tuckered out.
15. St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands)
If you want to stay somewhere which has a good degree of cosmopolitan activity, but maintains an air of a Caribbean paradise, then St. Thomas should be your go-to location.
The island is 32 square miles in size and offers an abundance of things to do, including:
- Snorkeling with turtles
- Fishing
- Diving
- Hiking up an extinct volcano
- Swimming with dolphins
- Exploring the largest collection of colonial buildings in the Caribbean
The island is a popular cruise port, and ships regularly arrive in Charlotte Amalie, which is not only the main town, but also the capital of the US Virgin Islands. The downtown area in Charlotte Amalie offers an eclectic mix of elegant dining, exciting nightlife spots, and duty-free shopping opportunities, as well as plenty of spots to visit as a family, such as Blackbeard’s Castle.
16. Turks and Caicos
At just under three hours away from Atlanta by air, Turks and Caicos is arguably one of the most luxurious of all the Caribbean islands. Located just north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos is made up of 8 inhabited islands, but these are only a part of the 40 identifiable outcrops that make up the entire country.
The main island, Providenciales, is the second most westerly point of the Caicos archipelago, and home to the world-renowned Grace Bay Beach. With its endless powdery white-sands, breath-taking ocean views, and calm waters perfect for swimming, this is a site that should be on everyone’s bucket-list.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are full of beauty and charm. Here, you can find some truly incredible villas, restaurants with mouth-watering menus, and a stunning selection of diving and snorkeling opportunities along a 14-mile barrier reef.
Which is the best airline to fly?
If you’re looking to fly commercially, we’d recommend Delta Airlines for this non-stop Atlanta-Caribbean route. Delta provides some of the most cost-effective ways of getting around the West Indies, with a plethora of cheap tickets and a variety of flight deals frequently available. They have been recognized as one of the most reliable, and popular, airlines for both international and domestic US flights.
Conclusion
The islands across the Caribbean are time capsules of both nature and mankind. Everywhere you go, there’s something new to see, taste, andtouch. And we haven’t even mentioned some of the most popular destinations. From Port-au-Prince in Haiti in the north, to the Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago in the south, there are so many more gems to discover for yourself.
A tourism-facing attitude means that you have a seemingly infinite range of luxury hotels, dining experiences, and activities to choose from. Whether you’re jetting away for a honeymoon, or spending Spring Break with the family, the Caribbean has it all.
And we’ll provide some of the best villas around, available to cater to all of your needs. Our extensive list of locations will leave no doubt in your mind that you can find somewhere perfect for you, whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a big family trip, or an adventure-packed time with old friends. Our first-class concierge service will make sure everything is taken care of for the entirety of your holiday, so all you have to do is sit back and relax.
With low airfares, direct travel routes, and the promise of making memories you’ll never forget, there’s never been a better time to find a slice of paradise in the Caribbean.
Or, if you are planning on flying from New York, then check out our guide for direct flights from New York to the Caribbean. It’s still just as easy, and you’ll be lounging on a beach in no time!
About Linda Browne
Linda is the General Manager for Exceptional Villas and has an in-depth knowledge of the travel industry. Linda's qualifications are in the area of business, marketing and tourism. Linda travels for much of the year inspecting all of our luxury villas; the majority of her time is spent in the Caribbean and Europe.