Cat Island Introduction
Cat Island is located 16 kilometers southwest of Wang'an and 8 kilometers south of Huayu, and it belongs to Huayu Village in Wang'an Township. It includes both Big Cat Island and Small Cat Island, along with the surrounding reefs. Both islands are composed of basalt and are surrounded by steep cliffs, making climbing difficult. Big Cat Island is a giant rock formation that emerges from the surface with an elevation of about 70 to 79 meters, making it the highest point in the Penghu archipelago. The area has developed coastal erosion landscapes, with many sea caves around it, and there is a huge sea arch on the northern cliff; to the east, an eroded platform appears at low tide, with several potholes present. Small Cat Island is located to the east of Big Cat Island and has an even steeper terrain; at low tide, a stone ridge formed by volcanic breccia connects the two islands. In the local saying of Penghu, "Bird Island has no birds, Cat Island has no cats," Cat Island is named for its resemblance to two crouching cats, not because it has many cats. In fact, it is an uninhabited island, but it is a habitat for many migratory birds. During summer, terns choose the remote and rugged terrain of Cat Island for breeding, primarily the Black-naped Tern and the Bridled Tern, with about 3,000 to 5,000 individuals each year. When observing Black-naped Terns in Penghu, Cat Island is the main location, with very few sightings in the North Sea. As a result, the Penghu County Government designated Big and Small Cat Islands as the "Cat Island Bird Sanctuary" in 1991, which includes land as well as a marine area extending 100 meters; landing on the island is not allowed without special permission. Visitors can choose to take a boat to enjoy the beautiful sight of terns flying nearby.
