Cat Nose Head Park Introduction
Cat Nose is located at the west cape of the southern tip of Taiwan, precisely at the boundary between the Taiwan Strait and the Bashi Channel. Due to a rock that has fallen from the cliff resembling a cat lying face down towards the sea, it was named Cat Nose. Cat Nose Park features typical coral reef coastal erosion landforms, facing the windward side which enhances coastal erosion, showcasing rich landscapes such as cliffs, sea-eroded pillars, sea-eroded grooves, sea-eroded caves, and sea-eroded potholes, making it an excellent natural classroom for geomorphology. From the pedestrian path next to the Cat Nose Visitor Center leading to the natural observation platform, standing on the high cliff platform offers a breathtaking view of the boundless blue sky and sea. Although the sea appears uniform in color, the left side is the Bashi Channel while the right side is the Taiwan Strait, creating a remarkable sensation of being at the edge of the sea. From here, one can also gaze upon many renowned picturesque sceneries of the Hengchun Peninsula, starting from the coastline in the front left direction, in order: San Tai Mountain, Nanwan, Dashanmu Mountain, Xiaojianshan, Menmalo Mountain, Dajianshan, Kenting National Forest Recreation Area, Dawan, Dayuan Mountain, Xiaowan, Sail Rock, Banana Bay Coastal Forest, Sandy Island, and Eluanbi. Standing at the Cat Nose observation platform, one can take in all these beautiful sights, making Cat Nose a unique vantage point for appreciating nature. The nearby waters experience the Kuroshio warm current, which maintains the sea temperature between 21°C and 30°C, perfect for the proliferation of various marine life. Beneath the surface, one can find a variety of hard corals, soft corals, tropical fish, eels, and shrimps and crabs, creating a vibrant spectacle. Winter is the breeding season for seaweed, and with the warm sea temperatures, the clear waters are filled with various types of algae such as sea lettuce, red algae, and eelgrass, complemented by other marine life and coral reefs, presenting a uniquely rich coastal landscape.
