Prepare for an unforgettable experience with Florida’s gentle giants at the TECO Manatee Viewing Center. These lovable creatures hold a special place in the hearts of many. If you’re looking for an opportunity to encounter them up close, the TECO Manatee Viewing Center is a must-visit destination. The center not only offers an opportunity to observe manatees but also provides a variety of educational experiences. While you may initially come to see the manatees, you will leave with a greater understanding of the entire ecosystem of Tampa Bay and the diverse wildlife that calls it home.
If you can’t make it to the Manatee Viewing Center, don’t worry! I’ve sprinkled some interesting manatee facts in this post I learned during my visit. You’re welcome to use these facts at your next family gathering or social event.
TECO Manatee Viewing Center – Location & Hours
The TECO Manatee Viewing Center is open every year from November 1st through April 15th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the winter season, manatees gather in this area due to the warm water produced by the TECO power plant. However, as the bay waters warm up in the spring and summer, manatees do not congregate in large numbers.
Admission and parking at the Manatee Viewing Center is always FREE! There are two areas designated for parking. The main parking lot is on the same premises as the viewing center. Volunteers will assist visitors by directing them to the parking area. However, the main parking area is small and may fill quickly on busy days. In such cases, visitors should be prepared to park in the designated overflow parking area a quarter mile south of the main parking lot. Visitors to the overflow parking area can walk through the gravel nature trail or wait for a trolley to take them to the viewing center.
More Than Manatees – Everything To Do At The Manatee Viewing Center
Watch the Manatees
The manatees really are the stars of the show. Wasting no time upon my arrival, the observation deck was the first stop. From a distance, the glass-like water appeared to have hundreds of floating rocks breaking through the surface. As I found a spot along the railing, my eyes were able to focus more clearly, realizing each of these “rocks” was, in fact, a manatee. This small strip of water parallel to the TECO power plant was crowded with manatees like Time’s Square on New Year’s Eve.
Each manatee displayed their personality. Some seemed to enjoy the attention of the observers peering over the railing from above. Others seemed curious as they poked their nose above the water only to retreat into the dark water below. Intertwined between these gentle giants, small sharks, and fish also took advantage of this unnaturally warm water.
As visitors freely flowed from the main observation deck, a volunteer at a display table shared fun facts about manatees. She passed around manatee bones and teeth for visitors to touch and hold. I learned that manatees’ teeth are constantly being replaced. Their teeth only consist of molars and new teeth grow at the back of the jaw, moving forward horizontally about a centimeter per month. Eventually, the front molars fall out and are replaced by the teeth behind them.
There is also a secondary observation deck further away from the main viewing center. A short walk through an arched mangrove-covered boardwalk opens into a much larger and less crowded area to view manatees. The water is also shallower, allowing for the best views of the fish and smaller manatees.
Butterfly Garden
The butterfly garden is a small, well-maintained area dedicated to educating visitors about butterflies’ life cycle and the importance of pollination. Kids can have fun posing as a flower as they take a picture at the photo stand-in to create a lasting memory of their visit. A butterfly enclosure is discreetly located in one corner of the garden to protect growing caterpillars. Visitors can observe the slow transformation of the caterpillars into beautiful butterflies inside this enclosure.
Environmental Educational Building
It can be a bit chilly and windy on the observation deck. I retreated inside the Environmental Educational Building not only to escape the chill but also to continue learning about manatees, their habitats, diet, and the dangers of boats speeding in no-wake zones. Educational signage lines the walls, giving greater context to the hundreds of manatees that spend their winter at the TECO power plant.
Manatees cannot survive long in water less than 68°F. Access to warm springs has become more restrictive, and manatees have become dependent on the warm waters of power plants to survive. Mother manatees teach their calves the route to these warm areas each year to keep them safe and warm for the winter season.
Pet a Stingray
Beneath the Environmental Education Building lies the Stingray Pool, where visitors can pet the gentle creatures as they gracefully move around the pool’s perimeter. A volunteer keeps a watchful eye on the interactions between visitors and stingrays, answering any questions. The most common question was whether the stingrays still have stinging barbs in their tails. The answer is no; the barbs have been removed. These stingrays have been loaned to the facility by the Florida Aquarium. Veterinarians regularly check them to ensure they are healthy and have not been harmed while in their seasonal home.
Grab a Snack
There isn’t much blocking the cold winds that funnel down the channel of the inlet. After standing on the deck, I needed something warm to drink and a place to sit. The concessions was the oasis I was looking for. The food options remind me of the baseball concession stand I frequently attended as a kid while my siblings played afternoon games. Much like the baseball field of years past, all the food options at the Manatee Viewing Center are heated from a microwave. However, I was beyond satisfied with my choice of cheeseburger and chips for convenience and the price.
Don’t Leave Without a Souvenir
The experience of shopping for souvenirs at gift shops can be hit or miss. I went to a gift shop expecting to find shelves of dusty shells and cheap snow globes, but I was pleasantly surprised by the variety and cuteness of the selection. The gift shop had something for everyone – modern logoed shirts, educational books, and stuffed animals. Although there was a lot to choose from, I bought a crocheted manatee, which I plan to turn into an ornament for my Christmas tree.
Hiking Trails and Observation Tower
Exploring the Manatee Viewing Center is just half what you can do during your visit. After I had my fill of seeing the manatees I decided to take the hiking trail to the observation tower. The trail is 0.71 miles from the Manatee Viewing Center to the Observation Tower. At 50 feet tall, the observation tower provides a stunning view across the bay on clear days. Below the tower lies an estuary where kayakers can be seen paddling in and out of the mangroves. The base of the observation tower is an ideal spot to have lunch. It features picnic tables with umbrellas that are working solar panels. Visitors can charge their electronic devices and enjoy lunch while experiencing the beauty of Florida’s winters.
Tom Hernandez Clean Energy Center
After leaving the Observation Tower, the nearest restrooms can be found at the Clean Energy Center. This open-air pavilion is not just a restroom stop but also an interactive learning center for energy education. Powered by a combination of solar, wind, and some human effort, the pavilion offers four interactive games that make learning about solar and wind energy fun for all ages. Visitors can observe how the “solar flower” slowly tracks the sun and absorbs energy while a wind turbine located near the parking lot converts wind into energy.
Florida Aquarium Sea Turtle Rehab Center
Access to the Florida Aquarium Sea Turtle Rehab Center is available by taking the tram from the overflow parking lot to the Conservation Campus. This 20-acre campus is a partnership between the Tampa Electric Company (TECO), The Florida Aquarium, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the University of Florida. The Florida Aquarium’s conservation campus is home to the Aquarium’s Coral Conservation Center, Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center, various research and water quality testing laboratories, and five pollinator gardens.
The Sea Turtle Rehab Center rehabilitates cold-stunned turtles found in the ocean. They are sent to the rehab center to regain their strength, receive veterinary care, and will be returned to the ocean once they get a clean bill of health. At the time of my visit, there were four Kemp Ridley sea turtles at the facility.
The Aquarium’s Coral Conservation Center is comprised of three large Coral Care & Rearing Greenhouses and our Coral Spawning Laboratory. This area is not open to the public because of the fragility of the coral and to keep the laboratory safe from outside elements. However, they have a live-streaming TV broadcasting inside the laboratory for visitors to watch. The coral greenhouses consist of large blue tanks filled with different coral species at risk of extinction. Here, scientists are working to increase coral reproduction rates, advance coral health, and restore the Florida Reef Tract.
Fish & Wildlife’s Suncoast Youth Conservation Center
Just a short walk away is the Fish & Wildlife Suncoast Conservation Center. There, visitors can learn about the wildlife of Florida, boat safety, and the importance of ocean conservation. My favorite part was the wall of Florida birds, which taught people where to look for certain birds and encouraged them to grab some binoculars to start birding. There are also hands-on activities where you can hold starfish, small crabs, and sea urchins in the touch pool. The experience at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center was immersive and exceeded my expectations.
I had a fantastic experience at the TECO Manatee Viewing Center that lasted the entire day. Although I went there to see the manatees, I left with an even greater appreciation for the scientific research being carried out to improve the environment for both animals and humans alike.
The information in this article was accurate when published but can change without notice. Please confirm rates and details when planning your trip by following the links in this article. If you find out-of-date or inaccurate information, I’d love to hear about it to update the article. Use the comments section below. Thanks!
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