Clownfish Reef at Hesanche Nuclear Power Plant in Hengchun — Online Webcam
Unique Underwater Camera off the Coast of Hengchun
On the southern coast of Taiwan, in Pingtung County, lies one of the most unusual underwater cameras in the world. It is installed in the water area near the water intake of the Hesanche Nuclear Power Plant — Taiwan's third nuclear power plant, which operated from 1984 and was fully decommissioned in 2025. The camera was named "Clownfish Reef" and broadcasts in real time the life of the coral reef that formed in these waters.
Hengchun is a region in southern Taiwan known for its beaches, tropical climate, and rich marine ecosystem. Coral reefs here stretch along the coast and are part of Kenting National Park, established in 1984 to protect the unique marine ecosystems of the region. It is here, at a depth of several meters, that the camera is installed, allowing viewers to observe the underwater world without scuba gear or diving equipment.
Hesanche Nuclear Power Plant and Its Impact on the Marine Ecosystem
The Hesanche Nuclear Power Plant (Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant) was located in the very south of Taiwan, in the Hengchun area, near the popular tourist beach South Bay. The plant's two reactors were commissioned in 1984 and 1985, and decommissioned in 2024 and 2025 respectively upon expiration of their 40-year license.
One of the plant's operational features was the use of seawater for reactor cooling. The spent water, having a higher temperature, was discharged back into the ocean, creating a so-called thermal plume — an area of water with elevated temperature. This thermal pollution had an impact on coral reefs and fish communities in the coastal zone. Studies show that a thermocline formed in the water intake area at depths of up to 7 meters, which affected the distribution of marine organisms in the surface layer.
Despite concerns, long-term monitoring of fish communities in the area of the nuclear power plant did not reveal significant changes in species composition. The coral reefs off the coast of Hengchun continued to be home to numerous species of tropical fish, including clownfish, sea anemones, reef sharks, and triggerfish.
Coral Reefs of Hengchun: Underwater Jungles of Taiwan
The coral reefs in the Hengchun area represent typical tropical ecosystems with high biodiversity. Branching tree-like corals are found here, occupying a significant portion of the underwater landscape. These corals serve as shelter and feeding grounds for numerous marine inhabitants.
In the waters off the coast of Hengchun, clownfish live — small, bright fish that exist in symbiosis with sea anemones. They can be seen on the camera broadcast when they hide among the tentacles of anemones. Also appearing periodically in the frame are reef sharks, triggerfish, and other typical inhabitants of coral reefs.
Kenting National Park, which includes these reefs, was created in 1984 to protect the marine ecosystems of southern Taiwan from industrial development. Today, it is one of the most popular national parks on the island, attracting tourists not only for beach recreation but also for the opportunity to observe the underwater world.
What the Underwater Camera Shows
The "Clownfish Reef" camera is installed in the underwater area near the water intake of the Hesanche Nuclear Power Plant and broadcasts the life of the coral reef in real time. The frame shows branching tree-like corals that occupy a large part of the underwater landscape. The water has a characteristic blue-purple hue, typical for underwater filming at depth.
On the broadcast, you can observe clownfish swimming among the corals and sea anemones. Periodically, other reef inhabitants appear in the frame: small tropical fish, shrimp, and sometimes larger marine animals can be seen. The camera operates in real time, so every viewer can see what is happening on the reef right now.
This webcam is unique in that it shows not just a beautiful underwater landscape, but a real ecosystem existing under unusual conditions — next to a facility that for decades exerted thermal influence on coastal waters. Observing the life of the reef in real time allows one to assess how marine organisms have adapted to these conditions.
Hengchun: Gateway to the Underwater World of Taiwan
Hengchun is not only the location of the Hesanche Nuclear Power Plant, but also one of the most popular tourist regions in Taiwan. Here you will find the famous South Bay beach, Kenting National Park, and numerous spots for snorkeling and diving. The "Clownfish Reef" underwater camera has become another attraction of this region, allowing people from all over the world to observe the marine life of Taiwan without leaving their homes.
The Hengchun region is located in the south of Taiwan, in Pingtung County. It is the southernmost point of the island, where the climate is tropical and the water temperature remains comfortable for marine inhabitants year-round. Coral reefs here stretch along the coast and are home to hundreds of species of fish, invertebrates, and other marine organisms.
The underwater camera in Hengchun is an opportunity to peek into another world that exists parallel to ours. A world where time flows by different laws, and life is in full swing among the coral thickets. And now, thanks to this webcam, everyone can witness this beauty at any time of day.
What You Can See on the Camera
The live broadcast from the "Clownfish Reef" underwater camera in Hengchun shows an underwater landscape with branching tree-like corals. The corals occupy most of the frame and create a complex three-dimensional structure that serves as shelter for numerous marine inhabitants. The water has a blue-purple hue characteristic of underwater filming at depth.
In the frame, you can observe clownfish swimming among the corals and sea anemones. Periodically, other reef inhabitants appear: small tropical fish, shrimp, and sometimes larger marine animals can be seen. The camera operates in real time, so every viewer sees what is happening on the reef right now.
The underwater camera is installed in the water area near the water intake of the Hesanche Nuclear Power Plant — a nuclear power station that was located in the south of Taiwan and was fully decommissioned in 2025. Despite this, the coral reef continues to live and develop, demonstrating the remarkable resilience of marine ecosystems to anthropogenic impact.
