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KOC destination photo
GEA destination photo

KOCGEA

Which side of the plane to sit from Koumac Airport (Koumac) to Nouméa Magenta Airport (Noumea)?

Our Recommendation
9.5

Right Side of the Plane

The right side offers a front-row seat to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed lagoon, featuring some of the most vibrant turquoise waters and coral reef formations on Earth.

Right Side Highlights
9.2
🌊

The Barrier Reef

View the world's second-longest continuous barrier reef and its white-water breaking waves.

💎

Turquoise Lagoons

Incredible gradients of blue water ranging from deep navy to bright neon turquoise.

🏝️

Coral Islets

Tiny, uninhabited white-sand cays like Ilot Signal and others dotting the coastline.

🌿

Mangrove Forests

Intricate coastal ecosystems where the land meets the lagoon in complex patterns.

🏙️

Nouméa Peninsula

A stunning aerial panorama of the capital's bays and hills during the descent into Magenta.

The right side is the definitive choice for lagoon views. Ensure you have polarized sunglasses to cut through the water's surface glare and reveal the intricate coral structures below. On the final approach to Nouméa, this side offers the best views of the city's unique geography.

Left Side Highlights
7.5
🏔️

Chaîne Centrale

Dramatic views of the rugged mountain range that forms the backbone of Grande Terre.

🚜

Nickel Mines

The striking contrast of red-earth open-pit mines against the surrounding tropical greenery.

🌲

Primary Rainforests

Expansive stretches of dense, endemic vegetation covering the mountain slopes.

🏘️

Kanak Villages

Traditional tribal settlements tucked into the river valleys and mountain foothills.

Sit on the left if you prefer mountainous terrain and want to see the scale of New Caledonia's mining industry. Morning flights are ideal as the sun illuminates the western faces of the peaks, providing excellent depth and detail for photography.

Top Activities in Noumea
Route Information

Distance: 298 km (185 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 30 min

Departure: KOC (-20.546300888061523, 164.25599670410156)

Arrival: GEA (-22.25830078125, 166.47300720214844)

Route Type: Domestic

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