Usually seeing a manatee in Florida is just a chance encounter when you’re out at the beach, on a boat, or maybe kayaking through a state park. But in the wintertime, you can easily see hundreds of manatees near florida power plants where they enjoy basking in the warm waters of the discharge canals.
Manatees can’t actually survive in water colder than 68 degrees Fahrenheit, so these Florida power plant manatees have found a great place to keep warm!
Here’s five places in Florida where you can see manatees hanging out near power plants.
TECO Manatee Viewing Center – Apollo Beach, FL
The TECO Manatee Viewing Center is about 10 miles south of downtown Tampa in Apollo Beach, Florida. This popular eco-park offers visitors a unique opportunity to see hundreds of manatees up close in their natural habitat. The center is located adjacent to the Big Bend Power Station, and the warm water discharge canal provides a natural habitat for manatees during the cooler months.
The center features a boardwalk trail and observation tower, providing visitors with excellent vantage points to observe manatees and their underwater movements. Additionally, the center has interactive exhibits, a butterfly garden, and a gift shop. The TECO Manatee Viewing Center is an excellent destination for nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to learn more about Florida’s diverse wildlife. Admission and parking is free.
TECO Manatee Viewing Center
6990 Dickman Rd.
Apollo Beach, FL 33572
https://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/
Florida Power and Light Company Manatee Lagoon – West Palm Beach, FL
The Florida Power and Light Company Manatee Lagoon is a free eco-discovery center located in West Palm Beach, Florida. The center is adjacent to the FPL Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center, which has a warm water discharge canal that provides a natural habitat for manatees. The Manatee Lagoon features an observation deck with a panoramic view of the surrounding waters, providing visitors with an opportunity to observe manatees and their underwater movements.
Additionally, the center has interactive exhibits, a gift shop, and offers educational programs and tours. The Florida Power and Light Company Manatee Lagoon is an excellent destination for nature enthusiasts and families looking to learn more about these gentle giants and their natural habitat. Admission and parking is free.
Manatee Lagoon
6000 N. Flagler Drive
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
https://www.visitmanateelagoon.com
Manatee Park – Fort Myers, FL
Manatee Park is a popular eco-park in Fort Myers, Florida, known for its large population of manatees that inhabit the warm waters of the Orange River near the Fort Myers FPL power plant. The park features a manatee viewing area, trails, and kayak rentals, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with these gentle giants.
The observation deck provides a perfect vantage point for visitors to see the manatees while they enjoy the warm waters of the nearby power plants outflow. The park is also home to several other wildlife species, such as birds, fish, and turtles.
Manatee Park
10901 State Road 80
Fort Myers, FL 33905
https://www.leegov.com/parks/parks/manateepark
See also: Best Places in Florida to see Manatees