Record Number of Manatees Spotted at Viewing Centre in Tampa
If you're looking for something fun to do in Apollo Beach, Florida, you can't go wrong with a visit to the Manatee Viewing Center! Tampa Electric runs this award-winning centre and is home to many manatees during the winter months when the water temperature in Tampa Bay gets too cold to survive comfortably. The centre recently set a new record when over 1,100 manatees were seen there at one time!
The Manatee Viewing Center is free to visit and is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until April 15. Plenty of boardwalks and vantage points allow you to get up close to the manatees and watch them swim around. You can also visit the touch tank, where you can gently stroke rays, another important part of the Tampa Bay ecosystem. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even hike the nature trail or climb the 50-foot observation tower for amazing views.
The centre is a popular attraction, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each season and over 7 million since it opened in 1986. It's won numerous awards, including a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor and recognition as one of the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice travel awards for best free attractions.
So, if you're ever in the area, check out the Manatee Viewing Center and see these amazing creatures up close!
Where to find the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Centre
Location: 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach, FL 33572
Cost: FREE
Hours: Open daily through April 15, 10am to 5pm. Trails close at 4pm. The viewing centre is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Easter.
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