Free admission and parking at the Apollo Beach center where you can view manatees in Big Bend Power Station's warm water discharge canal, open daily from the start of November to mid-April, with a cownose rays touch tank, a tidal walk, trails and shaded solar tables.
Know before you go. Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center doesn't list sensory hours, a quiet room or sensory kits. Here's what it does say about the season, the walkways, the weather and the rules.
Hours
Open daily during its season, from the start of November to mid-April, 10 am to 5 pm. The wildlife observation tower and habitat trails close at 4 pm daily, and the last golf cart to the Center For Conservation is at 4:30 pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Easter; closes at 3 pm on Christmas Eve. Phone: 813-228-4289.
“When the water temperature drops below 68 degrees Fahrenheit you're likely to see many manatees!”
“The habitat offers a fascinating look at cownose rays swimming just inches away, lightly grazing your fingertips as they glide past.”
“On this 900-foot, ADA-compliant walkway you'll see a variety of native coastal plants and trees, as well as animal life.”
“Florida weather can be unpredictable, so please check the weather forecast before arriving. We are open rain or shine.” tampaelectric.com (FAQ)
“We have solar tables throughout the trails where you can relax under the shade of the solar panels while charging your phone or other electronics.”
“Shoes and shirts are required during your visit. Closed toed shoes are recommended, and don't forget your sunscreen.” tampaelectric.com (FAQ)
“Pets are not allowed. Only service animals are permitted on the grounds.” tampaelectric.com (FAQ)
The center's live webcams, Webcam East and Webcam West, run through the end of its open season and show the boardwalks and gardens, so you and your kid can look for manatees together before you go.
A calm plan: walk the tidal walk to the end, where you can view the manatees in the discharge canal, then decide together whether to try the touch tank, the trail or a rest at a shaded solar table.
Free admission and parking, open daily 10 am to 5 pm from the start of November to mid-April; trails and the tower close at 4 pm.
Mostly outdoors and open rain or shine; shaded solar tables sit along the trails.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Easter, and closes at 3 pm on Christmas Eve.
Food: the Southshore Café is on site, and the center invites you to bring a picnic lunch to the tables at the base of the tower.
Rules: pets aren't allowed; only service animals are permitted on the grounds. Smoking only in designated areas. Professional photography is strictly prohibited without prior consent, and drones are prohibited.
Groups: the center encourages a group reservation through its online form.
The center is part of a 500-acre campus, which also has Tampa Electric's Clean Energy Center (an open-air shaded pavilion with four interactive touch-screen games), an aquarium conservation area where visitors can watch sea turtles foraging in a deep-dive pool, and FWC's Suncoast Youth Conservation Center.
