Flying over the lagoon in South Province

Sometimes, to truly take in the wonders around us, it’s a good idea to get some height. Flying over iconic spots lets you fully appreciate their beauty, colors, and unique features.

With its diverse landscapes, New Caledonia is the perfect place for a scenic flight or your first experience in the air. Picture yourself soaring above the blue waters of the lagoon, crossing the ocean to explore all the islands of the archipelago, or flying over forests and mining areas… That’s exactly what New Caledonia’s air operators offer.

Whether it’s a seaplane, paragliding, ultralight aircraft, helicopter, or skydiving, you get to choose your way to fly. In any case, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned flyer, the air professionals will guide you to make this experience a treasured memory. So, go ahead and take the plunge!

Discover South Province from the sky !

What’s better than admiring the marvellous landscapes of South Province from the air? From the sky, the colours of New Caledonia – blue, red and green – unfold before your eyes, as you soar over the red earth of the south, the turquoise lagoon, and the green vegetation of the plains and chain. In the air, the aerial views alternate between breathtaking nature, such as islets and the coral reef, and man-made landscapes. The various aerial activities allow you to fly for a few minutes to several hours, departing from Nouméa, La Foa, Bourail, or Païta. It’s a great way to get your adrenaline fix, or to contemplate at leisure the lagoon and its surroundings.

The best spots to fly over in South Province

South lagoon, from Nouméa or Bourail
The Île des Pins, on a day trip
The Great South: Madeleine Falls, Blue River Park, Yaté Dam
Shark Fault, on the Gouaro-Deva lagoon
The Roche Percée, its Bonhomme, (a rock formation named after its resemblance to a man or “bonhomme” in French), and the Baie des Tortues

Réservez votre activité

Instinct ParamoteurSERVICE PROVIDERSBourail

SkydreamSERVICE PROVIDERSNouméa

CAP ULM - Centre Air PassionSERVICE PROVIDERSBourail

Parapente Plein VentSERVICE PROVIDERSNouméa

There are so many ways to fly over the lagoon!

Contemplating the landscapes of South Province from the sky is definitely an extraordinary and emotional experience. The wide range of aerial activities on offer in New Caledonia means that everyone can find the perfect way to take to the skies. Looking for thrills? Go for the parachute! Want to cover as many kilometres as possible in the air? Hop on a plane or helicopter. And why not try the original experience of a seaplane, between sky and lagoon? From Nouméa, Boulouparis, Dumbéa or Bourail, choose the package that suits you best.

By helicopter or plane, to go far away

Flying over the lagoon in a helicopter offers the comfort and safety of a cockpit. It’s also a perfect option if you’re planning a flight for two. Flights usually depart from Magenta aerodrome in Nouméa. The services on offer range from a twenty-minute flight to exceptional all-day trips, with a land stop for a break. You can take to the skies all year round, provided you have booked your flight. For a flight over the island, it’s best to get in touch with the Caledonian flying club.

Note

What you’ll see departing from Nouméa: Ouémo, Anse Vata, Île aux Canards, Îlot Maître, Larégnère, Signal and Goéland islands, the coral reef, the wreck of the Ever Prosperity, the Amédée lighthouse. The Côte Oubliée and Île des Pins are also included in some special packages.

By parachute, for the adrenaline rush

Taking a tandem parachute jump is a guarantee of unforgettable emotions! Free-falling above the Caledonian lagoon is a must for all adrenaline junkies. But rest assured: it’s a safe and supervised aerial sport. Even before you take to the skies, your guide will brief you on the stages of the flight and the safety measures. Then you’ll board a small aircraft with other air adventurers. This flight already offers beautiful panoramic views of islets, bays, ridges… A taste of what awaits you. A few minutes later, at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, it’s time for the big jump! At 200 km/h, get ready for that adrenaline rush! You’ll enjoy about 40 seconds of absolute freedom. Then the parachute opens, and you’ll be gazing at the exceptional landscape under your canopy. The more adventurous can even take the controls for a few seconds. When you land, you’ll want to do it all over again !

By paragliding, to feel like a bird

Gentler than freefall, paragliding also delights fans of sailing and fresh air. It’s the ideal way to discover and learn about aerial sports. Accessible to everyone, there’s no need for prior training before taking off. Tandem paragliding is a very safe way to push yourself to your limits in a reassuring environment. In South Province, takeoff sites are perfect for baptisms. A very active association and several paragliding clubs ensure numerous departures throughout the year from Nouméa, Païta or Poé. A tandem flight with an instructor lasts around twenty minutes, allowing you to appreciate the landscapes that open up beneath your wing. The experience always starts with safety rules and flying instructions for inflating the wing and taking off. Once in the air, securely attached to your guide, all you have to do is let yourself be carried away by the incredible sensation of flying. Take-off and landing are smooth.

Our advice

For the more experienced: if this isn’t your first try, you can also enjoy thermal flights at Dzumac and Le Mont-Dore. Guaranteed sensations!

Valérie, Tourist Office of Nouméa

By ultralight aircraft or paramotor, for a close-up view of the landscape

Taking to the skies in an ultralight aircraft (called ULMs here, for Ultra Léger Motorisé) is a simple and affordable way to experience a baptism of air, up close to the sites to be explored. The aircraft features two seats, one for the pilot and one for the passenger. In just a few meters, you’re already in the air, admiring the scenery of the west coast, the lagoon or the lands of the Great South. Thanks to the lightness and manoeuvrability of an ultralight or paramotor, you’ll soon be flying close to the peaks or over the turquoise lagoon. It’s easy to spot turtles, rays, dolphins, and even a few whales between July and September. Ultralight and paramotor service providers are located in Nouméa, Poé, Dumbéa… so you can repeat the experience under different skies!

Survol Du Lagon Bourail © Little Mandy Nctps

Bourail - Admirez le lagon et le Domaine de Déva depuis les airs !

Bourail - Admirer le lagon et le Domaine de Déva depuis les airs !

By seaplane, amphibious and ultralight, for a water landing

With seaplanes, you take off directly from the water. An exceptional sensation, as close as possible to aquatic life. It’s an ideal experience for observing fish, turtles, and other marine creatures that inhabit the lagoon. The seaplane can either land (that is, land on land!) or land on the water, and it’s even more impressive when the ultralight is open to the air! There are two ways to fly a seaplane in the South Province: