Manatee Viewing Center - Apollo Beach, Florida

Jessica H.

What an amazing experience! I'm from the Northeast US and have never seen manatees in person. We visited this past weekend while on holiday to Florida. The water is getting warmer already in Florida so we only saw 30 or so manatees but a few came right up to the dock we were standing on. Locals told us the best time to visit to see hundreds of manatees is December-January, but I was still very impressed. The experience is FREE! We had to park on overflow parking but they had large golf cart shuttles to and from the entrance so it was very convenient. This is an absolute must visit!

Amelia R.

Free attraction that is 100% worth a trip.
We spent ~40 minutes and saw crabs, egrets, many sharks, 2 types of rays, and tons of fish, including giant tarpon.
I’d 100% go back and recommend it to any nature lover.
We didn’t see manatees but we saw so much else that it was worth it. The water clarity is incredible.
Also make sure to check out the cameras on their website!

Ashley R.

So awesome and FREE!!! Very rarely do you find an attraction that costs nothing but gives so much. There were so many manatees to view and other fish, sharks, and marine life. Very knowledgeable staff. Lots for kids to do. Great gift shop and you can even pet sting raise starting November 2025. I am definitely making it back one day.

Ladybug M. N.

We recently visited Manatee Lookout by TECO in Apollo Beach with the family, and it was such a fun and surprising experience! I was honestly shocked at how many manatees we could see without having to fight through crowds. The location is perfect for spotting these gentle creatures in a peaceful setting.

The weather had been a bit brisk, so the manatees were definitely looking for warmer waters, and this spot turned out to be the best place for them to gather. It was incredible to watch them up close, and the experience felt intimate and relaxed.

I highly recommend this spot to anyone looking to see manatees in their natural habitat. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy the beauty of nature with your family without the usual hustle and bustle. Definitely a must-see destination!

Chelsea D.

Stunning. Can’t ask for more from a free nature canter. Well maintained property. Lovely landscape with sculptures. Lots of areas set up for the kids to interact with. We got a manatee penny which was so fun for the kids and only $.51. Tons of walking paths. We will be back to see the stingray petting tank once they open it again, I guess it was damaged during the hurricane. All staff was so friendly. Such a great trip for the kids, can’t wait to go back.

Dave B.

Great time checking out the manatees. We went the day after Christmas and the weather was perfect for catching hundreds of manatees enjoying the warm water. We were also able to see rays and several large (5’+) tarpon jumping out of the water. The facilities are set up well, informative, and accessible. Gift shop is reasonably priced, especially for being paired with a free experience like this. Be on the lookout for those manatee snoots in the water, you’ll see plenty!

Karen V.

What an amazing experience! I just happened to be in the area for a medical appointment, and decided to drop by. It was my first time visiting the viewing center.

Upon entering (it opens at 10:00am), I was told that manatees were going to be released into the canal that morning. I couldn't believe it. This was my lucky day! Every staff member that I came across was so excited about it. I can totally see why. Apparently it doesn't happen very often.

I ended up staying there for a full 90 minutes. I just had to see every minute of it. It's an experience. I basically walked down through the mangroves on the Tidal Trail to the viewing area just to see all the manatees and fish that were huddled together in front of the power plant. The trail is very organized with boards describing the wildlife that you may encounter. The staff there are so friendly, and eager to answer any questions. It's so educational!

I was just amazed by all the wildlife that I was seeing around me. Before I knew it, it was already time to view the releasing of the manatees. It was the best experience ever. It's something I never thought I'd ever witness. It's so great to see manatees making this sanctuary their home during the winter months. What an awesome place to view them in their own habitat.

So, Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center is seasonal. It opens daily from November 1st through April 15th. Give yourself plenty of time to explore it. There's normally a Rays Touch Tank for kids to interact with the stingrays. That whole area was not available during my visit. The stingrays were relocated due to damage to their habitat caused by the recent hurricanes. I totally missed seeing the observation tower, but I did go back a second time to visit the education building. There weren't as many manatees the second time around. I'm guessing it wasn't cold enough. I was able to visit the sea turtle rehab center while I was there. It's so great that they offer a complimentary shuttle from the overflow parking lot to both the viewing center and the rehab facility. I can't wait to go back!

John T.

Awesome free experience. Great place to be outside and enjoy a stroll among the trails. Viewing the manatees was interesting. You could spend 30 minutes or 3 hours depending on how much you do. Beware: parking is a challenge on a pleasant weekend afternoon, so go early.