Manatee viewing season is back in Tampa Bay. The Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center has officially reopened for the season in Apollo Beach at 6990 Dickman Rd. Consider this your sign to enjoy one of the best family-friendly activities the region has to offer.
Manatees are drawn to warm water, and Tampa Electric provides exactly that. The company’s Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach circulates water from Tampa Bay for cooling before returning it clean and warm to the bay. During the winter months, manatees leave colder waters and migrate to this welcoming refuge.
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Because of this unique migration, Tampa Electric built the Manatee Viewing Center to give the public a safe way to observe manatees as they gather. The discharge canal is a state- and federally designated manatee sanctuary that provides critical protection from cold temperatures for these gentle animals.
Manatee Viewing Center always draws great crowds
Last season, Tampa Electric’s award-winning Manatee Viewing Center set a new record, hosting 1,100 manatees at one time. That total surpassed the previous record of 850, which was set the winter before.
Each season, the 50-acre Manatee Viewing Center draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, including nearly 500,000 people in 2023 alone. Since opening in 1986, more than 7.4 million visitors have passed through the center.
Where to see manatees in Tampa Bay
Location: 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach, FL 33572
Hours: Open daily from Nov. 1 through mid-April, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trails close at 4 p.m. The viewing center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Easter.
Tampa Electric offers free parking and admission to all visitors. Recently, the Manatee Viewing Center was named one of the top top 10 free attractions in America by USA Today.
You can learn more about the viewing center on its website.
Seeking more adventures outside of Tampa? We recommend Glamping at Hillsborough River State Park, traveling to Bok Tower Gardens, and exploring Bonnet Springs Park.
