Brooding Hen
A rock in the bay.
Fourrure from France — CC BY-SA 2.0 · gérard — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Kévin Thenaisie — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gui0123 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Brooding Hen is a small rocky islet in Hienghène Bay on the north-east coast of New Caledonia's main island, about 2 km in a straight line north-east of the village of Hienghène. It takes its name from its likeness to a hen sitting on her eggs. The rock and its neighbours in the bay are remnants of a layer of limestone and silica that covered the whole bay some 40 million years ago. Wind and water wore away the softer limestone, leaving the harder parts in striking shapes that people have given fanciful names such as the Sphinx and the Towers of Notre-Dame. The rock is seen from a lookout on the road above the bay, which looks over dark rocks in blue water with green mountains behind. The area is one of the island's most beautiful coasts, with waterfalls and forest, and boat or kayak trips around the rocks leave from the village. The lookout is free. Hienghène is a long drive across the island from Nouméa, so staying overnight in the area is best, and morning light is finest for photos.
A rock in the bay.
Neighbouring rocks.
Around the rocks.
Hienghène Bay, North Province, New Caledonia
From a lookout on the road above the bay.
Yes, on a boat or kayak trip.