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OME → SVA
Which side of the plane to sit from Nome Airport (Nome) to Savoonga Airport (Savoonga)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides a dramatic view of the volcanic Kookoolik Mountains and a superior angle of the Savoonga village and northern coastline during the final approach.
Kookoolik Mountains
The rugged volcanic interior of St. Lawrence Island, featuring ancient cinder cones and lava flows.
Savoonga Village
A close-up view of the historic 'Walrus Capital of the World' as the plane lines up with the runway.
Northern Cliffs
Sheer coastal cliffs that serve as nesting grounds for millions of seabirds like puffins and murres.
Coastal Haul-outs
Look for dark clusters on the rocky beaches which are often groups of walruses resting on the shore.
The right side is the clear winner for the approach into Savoonga. For the best photography, aim for a midday flight when the sun is high to avoid the deep shadows of the volcanic terrain. Keep your eyes fixed on the shoreline as you descend to spot walrus colonies.
Norton Sound
Expansive views of the cold Bering Sea waters as you leave the southern coast of the Seward Peninsula.
Bering Sea Pack Ice
From late fall to early summer, witness the mesmerizing white geometric patterns of floating sea ice.
Migratory Whales
Occasional sightings of Gray or Bowhead whales breaking the surface during spring and fall migrations.
Bering Strait Horizon
A vast, unobstructed view of the horizon where the Arctic and Pacific influences meet.
The left side is ideal for spotting the vastness of the sea ice leads during the winter months. Watch for the 'ice blink' on the horizon, a white glare on the clouds indicating distant ice fields. Morning flights provide a dramatic side-lighting on the water's surface.
Distance: 262 km (163 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 26 min
Departure: OME (64.51219940185547, -165.44500732421875)
Arrival: SVA (63.6864013671875, -170.4929962158203)
Route Type: Domestic
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