If you’re looking for something free and, let’s be honest, pretty weird to do in the Tampa Bay area, look no further than the Manatee Viewing Center. After moving to the area to finish my degree in marine biology, I was so excited to a free spot to see so much wildlife. (Mostly because I was broke but also because it’s such a unique experience!)
This quick guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Tampa Manatee Viewing Center and hopefully encourage you to get here ASAP. Enjoy!
What is the Tampa Manatee Viewing Center?
Tampa’s Manatee Viewing Center is a free attraction where you can see tons of manatees (we’re talking hundreds) in their (pretty much) natural habitat, every year, without fail. (Really, I have visited this place so many times and I’ve always seen manatees!) But it gets a lot more interesting than that…
What makes the Manatee Viewing Center so special?
What sounds like it’s probably a regular ‘ol aquarium of sorts is actually something totally unexpected. You see, in the “winter” (as far as southern Florida is concerned), hundreds upon hundreds of manatees flock to warmer waters. And the warmest and most accessible spot around? The discharge waters from the Tampa Electric Company’s power plant. No joke.
Take a look at this January 2024 photo to see just how many manatees we’re talking about (or check out the Google Maps screenshot below).
And where there’s blazing hot water, there’s also an incredible exuberance for life. Here’s how it works:
- Saltwater from Tampa Bay is pulled into the Tampa Electric Company’s power plant to cool its energy producing units.
- This water is then discharged, clean and warm, back into the bay.
- When winter comes and the ambient temperature of the shallow waters where manatees live cools down, they begin aggregating* in these warm waters around the power plant.
*A large herd of manatees is actually called an aggregation.
A Happy Accident
Tampa’s Manatee Viewing Center is a well-managed and mutually beneficial confluence of nature and industrialization; a happy accident, if you will. According to the TECO website: “Our discharge canal is a state and federally designated manatee sanctuary that provides critical protection from the cold for these unique, gentle animals.” Beautiful, right?
The manatee is Florida’s official state marine mammal and is most closely related to the elephant. These herbivores are gentle and very slow moving. This makes their shallow water habitats especially dangerous due to collisions with boat motors or getting trapped in fishing nets. The Viewing Center at the Tampa Electric Company is a safe refuge for them.
What a cutie!- So cool to see them up close
Also check out: 7 Terrific Tours to Take in Tampa
What to see at the Manatee Viewing Center in Tampa
Well, manatees, and tons of them. Seeing this relationship between the manatees and the power plant many years ago, they opened the Manatee Viewing Center so visitors could stop by and see these huge groups of them just going about their manatee business. (i.e., being adorable)
To see the manatees, they’ve built special elevated viewing platforms so you can look down into the water. On a clear day, you can see everything that’s happening beneath the surface.
At the Manatee Viewing Center, you can also check out:
The Tidal Walk – This 900-foot boardwalk juts out into the bay and, from here, you can see tons of native plants and animals and, yeah, even more manatees.
Rays touch tank – Thanks to a partnership with the Florida Aquarium, the Manatee Viewing Center is also the off-season home of the Tampa Bay Rays mascots—the rays you see swimming out in left field. This touch tank offers you a chance to interact with them yourself. (Gently, please!)
Education Center – There’s also an education building at the Viewing Center where you can learn all about manatees and their habitats. You’ll find expert volunteers inside (and on the viewing platforms) to answer all your manatee-related questions.
Trails and a viewing tower – From the Viewing Center you can also walk along the trail and boardwalk system, then go up in the observation tower.
Also read: 10 Ways to Spend a Day in Ybor City, Tampa
Where is the Manatee Viewing Center?
The Manatee Viewing Center is located next to the Tampa Electric Company; its official address is: 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach, FL. It’s on the water to the south of Tampa, pretty much straight across the bay from downtown St. Pete.
But that bay means the drive may take longer than you’d think. (Rent a car here if you haven’t done so yet.) Here it is in driving distances:
You’ll eventually start to see the massive white plumes of smoke rising from the smokestacks, so just keep heading towards them. That’s where the manatees are!
Parking is free on-site and there are plenty of spots.
There’s also a manatee viewing center like this in Fort Myers. See how to spend 2 days in Fort Myers here.
The Best Time to Visit
Given the nature of the site, the Manatee Viewing Center is only open in the winter—specifically from November 1 – April 15 each year. They’re open every day of the week—from 10am to 5pm—but closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Easter. They’re also open rain or shine.
Come April, the oceans and canals warm back up and the manatees leave the power plant, not to return until later that fall.
If you’re looking for the best time to visit and have some flexibility, I’d suggest waiting until at least December to give “winter” time to set in. Likewise, try to go well before the weather warms back up in the spring.
Some tips for visiting the Manatee Viewing Center
Here are a few things to keep in mind during your visit:
More info for your trip to Florida
Like this post? Have questions about visiting the Manatee Viewing Center? Let me know in the comments below! Have fun in Florida!
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