Cat Nose Head Park Introduction
Cape Maobitou is located at the western tip of Taiwan's southern end, precisely at the boundary between the Taiwan Strait and the Bashi Channel. It is named Maobitou because there is a rock fallen from the sea cliff that resembles a cat lying down facing the sea. The entire area of Maobitou Park is characterized by typical coral reef coastal erosion topography, which faces the windward side causing vigorous sea erosion. It boasts rich landscapes of cliffs, sea-eroded pillars, sea gullies, sea caves, and blowholes, making it an excellent natural classroom for geography. From the pedestrian trail beside the Maobitou Visitor Center, visitors can reach a natural observation platform, where standing on the high cliff platform provides breathtaking views of the boundless sea and sky. Although the sea appears uniform in color, the left side is the Bashi Channel and the right side is the Taiwan Strait, creating a unique feeling of being at the intersection of two seas. From here, one can also gaze at many renowned beautiful sights of the Hengchun Peninsula, including near the shoreline in front of the platform: Santai Mountain, Nanwan, Dashanmu Mountain, Xiaojian Mountain, Menmaluo Mountain, Dajian Mountain, Kenting National Forest Recreation Area, Dawan, Dayuan Mountain, Xiaowan, Sail Rock, Banana Bay Coastal Forest, Shandao, and Eluanbi. Standing at the Maobitou observation platform allows visitors to take in all these stunning views, making it a prime vantage point for scenic appreciation. The waters near Maobitou are influenced by the warm Kuroshio Current, which maintains the sea temperature between 21°C to 30°C, creating an ideal environment for various marine life to thrive. Under the sea, there is a diverse array of stony corals, soft corals, tropical fish, eels, and shells that captivate the eye; winter is particularly the breeding season for seaweeds, and with the warm sea temperatures, the clear waters along the shore are filled with green and brown algae plants like sea lettuce, red algae, and eelgrass, creating a uniquely rich coastal landscape in conjunction with other marine organisms and coral reefs.
