Apollo Beach, Florida: Power Station Manatees
RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center
- Address:
- 6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL
- Directions:
- Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center. I-75 Exit 246, west on Big Bend Road/CR 672, go 2.5 miles west to curve intersection of Big Band and Dickman Rd.
- Hours:
- Open daily 10-5 Nov 1 - Apr 15. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 813-228-4289
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Power Station Manatees
A showplace of manatee tourism, Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center is built around the warm water discharge canal from Big Bend Power Station, where manatees hang out when Tampa Bay water gets too cold.
Roadsideamerica.com Report... [02/04/2024]Visitor Tips and News About Power Station Manatees
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
Power Station Manatees
If it's under 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you will likely see the manatees. Very popular in winter. The main parking lot usually fills up, but there's a second lot by a marine life hospital and they usually have a shuttle. This place also has a museum, gift shop, snack shop, and Mold-O-Rama. There are several trails with boardwalks and an observation deck, too. You can easily spend half a day here!
[Jack Of All Trails, 01/19/2024]They are fully open, now. It's a very busy place, I must say. There were no manatees on our day in early January 2022, but plenty of other wildlife and fish. It's operated by the the local power company and well run. Lots of families, kids and school groups. Donations in various places accepted.
[Randy Hoopes, 01/27/2022]Due to Covid-19, they are not opening the Viewing Center this year. This is our favorite part of our town and and we are sad to see it closed.
[Simon Dixon, 01/09/2021]Power Station Manatees
Even if you don't see any manatees, there's lots of wildlife: birds, rays, sharks, tarpon, snook, etc. Nice facility and it's free!
[Moviegal, 02/05/2020]Page of 2 [Next 5 items]
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