TECO's Manatee Viewing Center: What to Know Before You Go

APOLLO BEACH, FL — As temperatures in the Tampa Bay area dip into the frigid range, humans aren’t the only ones seeking warmer environments.

Manatees in the area are also looking for ways to get out of the cold. For many of the gentle giants, that means a trip to TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center at the Big Bend Power Station. This destination is also open to human visitors who wish to check out Florida’s iconic creatures in their natural habitat.

The power plant’s discharge canal has been a natural attractor for manatees for years. Thanks to its discharge of heated saltwater that’s used to cool down power plant equipment, the canal serves as a refuge for these aquatic mammals when water temperatures elsewhere in Tampa Bay dip to 68 degrees or lower, TECO reports on its website.

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The seasonal congregations have even earned the canal designation by the state and federal government as a protected manatee sanctuary. That sanctuary is also open to human visitors thanks to TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center. The location is open daily in the colder months so folks who wish to see manatees in the wild may do so. Here are a few things visitors might want to know before they go:

Center Location

The Manatee Viewing Center is located at 6990 Dickman Road in Apollo Beach

Hours

The facility is open Nov. 1 through April 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It does close down for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Easter.

Cost

There’s no charge for admission and parking is free.

Tips For Enjoying the View

The center offers an educational building where visitors can learn more about Florida manatees. It also boasts a large observation tower where visitors can see manatees in the wild if they happen to be in the canal. The tower is the main attraction for many, but it’s about a half-mile hike from the parking area, so folks should be prepared to walk.

Other important things to note include:

• There are no bathrooms at the tower, along the trail that leads to it or its accompanying boardwalk
• The tower is several stories high
• Bug spray and appropriate seasonal clothing is recommended
• Water and food are not available at the tower
• Feeding any wildlife in the area is prohibited

To learn more about the Manatee Viewing Center, visit it online or call 813-228-4289.