Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach has been named one of Florida's best places to spot manatees from land by Islands Magazine, adding another national accolade to the free waterfront attraction ahead of its 40th anniversary season.
The center shared the news on its official X account on Tuesday, July 28, thanking Islands Magazine for the recognition and for helping spotlight manatee conservation.
Writer Barry Peacock included the Dickman Road site in his feature on the best Florida shores for land-based manatee viewing. The article notes the center's record-breaking day on Dec. 29, 2023, when 1,100 manatees congregated in the warm-water discharge canal at once, shattering the previous record of 850.
The warm water comes from Tampa Electric's adjacent Big Bend Power Station, which draws bay water for cooling and returns it clean and warm. The discharge canal holds both state and federal sanctuary designations.
A free attraction with national reach
The Islands Magazine nod is the latest in a string of honors. The center was ranked No. 3 in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for best free attraction in June, and has appeared on that list three times. Since opening in December 1986, the site has drawn more than 7 million visitors. Last season alone, 464,401 people walked through the gates, according to the center's April 22 end-of-season post.
The roughly 500-acre Florida Conservation and Technology Center campus offers elevated viewing platforms, a 900-foot Tidal Walk over the bay, a 50-foot observation tower, a cownose ray touch tank, a butterfly garden, and nature trails through three coastal environments. The entire site is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and it sits on the Great Florida Birding Trail, according to Tampa Electric's website.
40th anniversary season opens November 1
The center reopens for the 2026–2027 season on Sunday, Nov. 1, with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Thursday, April 15, 2027. Trails close at 4 p.m. Admission and parking remain free.
December through April is considered the prime viewing window, when bay temperatures drop enough to draw the largest congregations of manatees seeking warmer water.
Volunteer docents help run the center each season. Volunteers must be 18 or older and commit at least one day per week for four hours during the season.
Upcoming community calendar
- Sunday, Nov. 1 — Manatee Viewing Center reopens for 40th anniversary season, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach. Free.
- Saturday, Dec. 12 — Tampa Electric's Run for the Manatees 5K at the Florida Conservation and Technology Center, Apollo Beach. 8 a.m. (Sold out.)
