by Monique Jacob | Sep 13, 2025 | New Flights, Tour Operators, Travel Tips
Dominica is set to become more accessible than ever with expanded service from American Airlines,
United Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, and the launch of Contour Airlines. These updates mean more
seats, more gateways, and more opportunities for you to package and sell the Nature Island.
American Airlines
American Airlines is strengthening its commitment to Dominica with major increases in 2025:
-
- Increased to six flights per week, Miami–Dominica from August 2025
- Expanding to eight flights per week in November and December
- For the first time, twice-daily service on Saturdays during peak winter
This enhanced schedule offers more flexibility and seamless connections across the American Airlines network, particularly for travelers from North America and Europe.
United Airlines
United Airlines will introduce a new midweek nonstop flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Dominica’s Douglas–Charles Airport (DOM), starting October 19, 2025, and continuing through April 26, 2026. The new Wednesday service will operate alongside the existing Saturday flight.
Caribbean Airlines
Caribbean Airlines significantly increased its presence in Dominica, with new services designed to support regional and international travelers:
-
- Trinidad–Dominica: Five weekly flights from August 15, 2025
- San Juan–Dominica: Three weekly nonstops from August 16, 2025
- New York–Dominica: Three weekly flights from August 16, 2025
Contour Airlines
Contour Airlines is officially launching operations in the Caribbean, introducing non-stop jet service from Dominica to San Juan (Puerto Rico) and St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands). Service begins September 24, 2025.
- Dominica–San Juan: 4x weekly (Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun)
- Dominica–St. Thomas: 3x weekly (Mon, Wed, Sat)
What This Means for Trade Partners
- More capacity and new gateways into Dominica
- Better connectivity from North America and the Caribbean
- Easier selling with more frequency and flexibility for FITs and groups
Download our latest trade rates here
Contact us for media kits or allotments:
■ [email protected] | [email protected]
■ +1 (767) 616-3001 | +1 (767) 613-0929
by Monique Jacob | Nov 28, 2021 | Tour Operators, Travel Tips
On November 15, the Government of Dominica announced that protocols were approved to allow the resumption of ferry services to Dominica for the first time since March 2020. The protocols for the ferry passengers are the same as travelling to Dominica by air.
Disembarking travelers require:
- a Negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival,
- health notification of approval to travel to Dominica, after completing the health questionnaire,
- vaccination certificate (if applicable), and
- proof of payment for the entry Antigen test.
Upon arrival, vaccinated travelers will undergo the Antigen test and if negative, will be medically cleared. Non vaccinated travelers will also undergo an Antigen test, followed by five to seven days of mandatory quarantine.
L’Express Des Iles
L’Express Des Iles resumed services between Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia on November 21, 2021. To book a trip and for updated schedules visit their official website: www.express-des-iles.fr
Val Ferry
Val Ferry announced that its service between Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Martinique will start up again on December 10, 2021. To book a trip and for updated schedules visit their official website: www.valferry.fr
Initially only 50 passengers will be allowed to disembark the ferries in Dominica. However, the return of the ferry not only mean return of travelers from the French West Indies but also increased connectivity for travelers from Europe.
Hotel the Champs welcomes our Ferry passengers.
by Monique Jacob | Nov 28, 2021 | New Flights, Tour Operators, Travel Tips
On December 8th, American Airlines commences the highly anticipated non-stop commercial jet service between Miami International (MIA) and Douglas Charles Airport. Announced by AA on July 23, Dominica is among the new destinations in the Caribbean as the airline expands its services in the region.
The airline will initially operate twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturdays using Embraer 175 aircraft. The Embraer 175 (E175) have a seventy-six (76) passenger capacity, with twelve first class seats, and sixty-four premium seats with extra leg room and main cabin seats.
December AA Schedule
In addition to offering easy access out of Miami, these flights greatly increases Dominica’s North American access connectivity. Through the American Airlines network, these flights allow for same day connections to 42 North American cities and territories.
AA Connecting Cities
There was such tremendous interest and response to the initial offering, that American announced that starting January 5th the flights will increase to three times weekly.
Hotel the Champs looks forward to welcome new and returning travelers via American Airlines.
Search for your flights: Book Flights on American Airlines (aa.com)
by Linda Baudoin | Jun 20, 2020 | Hiking, Nature, Travel Tips
Unlike many Caribbean islands, Dominica is blessed with several lakes, Freshwater Lake is the largest of Dominica’s four lakes. It is located at just over 2,500 ft above sea level and is the natural source of the Roseau River. The lake has been dammed to provide water to generate electricity. This body of water forms part of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the largest lake on the island, and the second deepest after nearby Boeri Lake. The lake and surrounding area can be mysteriously shrouded in mist or gleaming in full sunshine, often changing between these climates within minutes.
A hike along the Freshwater Lake Trail provides an opportunity to study Dominica’s higher forests. Montane forest, which can be recognized by its short, thin trees and open canopy, covers the majority of the area surrounding the lake. The shallow soils and strong winds do not permit the luxuriant growth that is so characteristic of the rain forest. The Freshwater Lake hike requires a steep climb but the views are worth it. It is a beautiful spot in which to cool off since it’s at a higher elevation.
You have to take your way towards the path by the hydro-electric building (to the right of the parking lot when facing the lake). A few minutes further along, you plant your feet on carefully constructed steps as you make your way to the top of the ridge on the eastern side of the lake. As you make your way along the ridge, you will admire the views of the lake, abundant wildflowers, birds, verdant precipices and the mighty Atlantic in the distance.
The circuitous groomed track around Freshwater Lake takes an hour on average, or a little more if you wish to admire the spectacular views and/or catch your breath!
You can combine this hike with a hike to Boeri Lake or a visit to Middleham Falls to enjoy your day in the nature to the fullest…..
by Linda Baudoin | Jun 13, 2020 | Beach, Nature, Sea, Travel Tips
Every year, from March to October, Leatherback, Green and Hawksbill sea turtles nest and hatch at Rosalie Bay. The endangered gentle giants can travel great distances, as far away as Canada, Europe and Africa, to Dominica to nest on our protected black sand beach.
To protect these creatures for future generations Dominica has founded the sea turtle conservation program. The program engages locals and guests in opportunities to help in the recovery of sea turtles on the island and throughout the Caribbean. Efforts include night patrol during nesting season, clean up on nesting beaches, education programs and data collection. Their trained guides tell you all about the turtles!
From witnessing a 1,000-pound Leatherback turtle crawling ashore to holding a hatchling that is smaller than a baby’s footprint, turtle season offers a vacation experience that is unforgettable and simply magical. We went to see the hatching this time…..
A magical moment is when the tiny hatchlings emerge from their nest for their initial journey to sea. Some nests hatch naturally, while others have a scheduled assisted release in the evening to increase their chances of survival. The odds are not in their favor –about 1,000 to one–as hungry predators and dehydration take their toll.
Rosalie Bay is about 1,5 hour drive from Hotel The Champs, but worth the stunning drive. This time there were as many as 32 small turtles finding their way to the ocean!
by Linda Baudoin | Jun 6, 2020 | Hiking, Nature, River, Travel Tips
A nice walk in ‘the backyard of The Champs’ is to the viewpoint over looking the bay in Portsmouth and Cabrits. You can just start your walk at The Champs and walk up the hill, before the water tank you go left on a small trail. If you are lucky you can spot parrots here!
After about 10 minutes you will reach a gravel road, take this road up to the banana plantation. Each banana plant has one bunch of bananas covered in a blue plastic bag. The bunches are covered with plastic bags for three reasons: to provide a suitable microclimate for the bananas to ripen more quickly, to protect the bananas (at least to some degree) from insects and other pests and to prevent the bananas from being bruised when it is windy and leaves may brush against the bunch. If you are interested you can take a look at the shelter were they sort the banana’s before taken to the market.
Just before the shelter on your left hand side you’ll find a small path winding down through the banana plantation (marked Waitukubuli trail). This path will lead you to the Picard Bridge where you can go swimming in the river or just continue hiking along the trail. This is part of the Waitukubuli trail, which spans 115 miles across the island of Dominica and the Picard Bridge is just a tiny portion of it. The bridge is a little unstable, so be careful when crossing it.
You will follow your way up, some parts are quite steep, there are ropes to help you up. After about 45 minutes you will reach the viewpoint. There is a small shelter to enjoy the view or have a picknick break. From here you can just take the same route down and back to Hotel The Champs where we wait for you with a nice cold beer or cocktail……
