FreeTECO Manatee Viewing Center: Apollo Beach Winter Wildlife Sanctuary
Visit on your scheduleDec 1 – Feb 28 · 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Open daily 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (Nov 1–Apr 15); Boardwalks and nature trails close at 4:00 PM; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Easter
TECO Manatee Viewing Center6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572 · 11.2 mi approx. from TampaDirections
All ages welcome; completely wheelchair and stroller accessible on elevated wooden boardwalks; stingray touch tank suitable for toddlers and up
FreeFree admission; Free on-site parking
About this adventure
Every winter from November 1 through April 15, when Tampa Bay water temperatures dip below 68°F (20°C), hundreds of wild Florida manatees flock to the clean, warm discharge water canal of the Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach. Designated as a state wildlife sanctuary, the TECO Manatee Viewing Center offers families an extraordinary opportunity to observe these gentle 'sea cows' basking in massive numbers from elevated wooden boardwalks. The facility features a stingray touch tank managed in partnership with The Florida Aquarium, an educational discovery center with interactive conservation displays, a 50-foot observation tower with panoramic vistas of Tampa Bay, and the stroller-accessible 0.7-mile Habitat Trail through coastal mangroves. Admission and parking are completely free, making it Tampa Bay's quintessential winter family pilgrimage. Arrive on cool mornings when water temperature differentials are highest for the densest manatee gatherings.
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