Manatee Viewing Center

6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572, USA

Address:	6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572, USA
Phone:	+1 813-228-4289
Site:	tampaelectric.com
Rating:	4.6

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 10

A Private User

Was expecting much more, and the gigantic power plant right next to it was a put off and a little noisy (not overwhelming, it was just unexpected). Its probably about 50 yards away. I cant imagine a person spending more than 30 minutes here. Its basically just a long dock and an observation deck. It was free, but dont make a special trip for it (as we did). We didnt check the reviews here before going. Its obviously no secret that the power plant is there and it appears the power company owns it. There was no smell, etc. coming from the plant. The power company should be lauded for maintaining this free attraction on their property. They also employ staff, and jobs are always a good thing. There was a gentleman on the dock with various manatee artifacts educating a family. He seemed very nice. We did see several manatees and big fish.

Rebekah Cay

Super family friendly! The best time to go is in the winter when the water temps drop - this is prime time to see Manatees! Theres also a nice interactive education center thats indoor, a cafe with snacks/drinks, a butterfly garden, and a sting ray tank that allows for petting. Theres ample space for picnicking, with most of it being shaded. There are a variety of trails to hike where you can learn about the things around you with info boards or speakers along the way. My family has found that hiking first is the best way to go - we hike to the observation tower, and have our lunch at the picnic tables there (shaded as well.) Then we hike back and take a nice break inside the education center to cool off. From there we visit the rays, manatees, and butterflies. It really is such a great place to explore and learn!

Jerry Havens

Only in America...People complaining about the adjacent power plant. Cant they grasp, that is part of the beauty of this privately maintained nature preserve. There was absolutely nothing about what we got to see and experience here that wasnt fantastic, especially when you calculate in the admission fee. In Homestead, Florida, there is a similar cold weather sanctuary for manatee beside the nuclear power plant. These majestic animals do not care from where the warm water is coming, they only know that it provides them safe haven during the winter months. I was more impressed when I learned that the crew of the plant actually provide food for their aquatic guests during the colder months. I pity any human being who can experience all of this, and only come away with negative things to say.

heyo ao

Soylent Green?? We drove an hour to see manatees at an old power plant that I thought was converted into a nature park. As we came close to the Teco plant we passed oil tanks, a landfill and a solid waste transfer station that left the air permeated with the smell of feces. Then we entered a gated area filled with cheerful balloons, a souvenir shop and a stingray petting tank; all against the backdrop of a disgusting power plant with smoke billowing from the stacks. We felt like we were in Bizarro World or Springfield with the Simpsons. We couldnt stay for long because the stench in the air matched the visual of the place. Disgusting, toxic and quite the opposite of anything natural. The manatees were so far away we couldnt even see them with binoculars. What a waste of time!

J Patrick

Free manatee observation! During the "colder" winter months of Florida the endangered manatee seeks warmer water. This is one area they go to. Guaranteed to view manatees at this Florida Power and Light facility (FPL) FPL has set up viewing areas along the waterway and has educational assistants to answer questions about the flora and fauna. We saw many manatees, a tiger shark and more than a few spinner sharks doing their acrobatic breaking the surface spinning! The day we were there it was fairly crowded. Its a very popular tourist spot. If you want to see manatees and other surprises like the shark this is the place to go. Kudos to FPL for being a good corporate partner to the community! A must see attraction and worth the drive from anywhere from west central Florida!

Ashley P

Nature adventure and totally FREE and in the cold months you can see loads of manatees! Even sharks thrashing about!! You can walk down the "pier" to see them from a different view, but most are by the docks, and if its a windy day, it can seriously get really chilly fast here. Sometimes they offer educational stations where they teach you about the specific manatees and how they know certain ones by their scars and marks! There is a gift-shop, restrooms, all is free to see, and they have different touristy photo ops to take pics by, but dont expect to be able to get up close or touch them. As you can see from photos you are just up on the pier/docks above them, but it is very cool to watch them. Kiddos and adults alike will enjoy the experience!

Chad McClellan

The first time we went they had just opened up for the season and the weather was not good enough for the manatees to be in the viewing area yet. So we didnt see anything that day. But the kids had fun playing in the wind machine and they also have another machine you can put a penny in and I will smash it into the shape of a manatee. The place is really cool with the docks the way you can walk around and look into the water. We did go back another day and we saw several different types of fish along with the manatee. We also went by there via boat and there were manatee then too. Overall this seems like an excellent place to bring kids or anyone who just likes to watch the Manatee and other sea life.

Gregory Payer

Super Cool Free Adventure This is a free site setup so that you can safely enjoy Manatee viewing. It is ran by Tampa Electric and sits right next to their power plant. The Manatees enjoy the warm water that discharges from the power plant in the cooler months and you are pretty much guaranteed to see them. The location has ample parking and a visitors center, but most importantly has nice walkways overlooking several water areas near the power plant. This provides for a diverse view of the Manatees and other fish that live in that area. Super Cool and FREE. Although it is a little off the beaten path from downtown Tampa, St Pete or Clearwater.

Stephanie Thompson

I love this place! Very clean. Very beautiful pathways to view the sea life. Every time I go I see something different, something amazing. Once I saw sting rays flying out of the water for about an hour. Then a week later I went back and saw a large school of Cobia swimming in a circle at the top of the water. There are so many different types of fish. Tarpon, Sheep head, Snook, Mullet, and many other I dont know the names of. And of course the Manatees with their adorable babies. It also offers clean restrooms, an interactive learning center for the kids and clean picnic tables. And its all free. If you like nature this is a real treat.

Debbie Choe

I went at the beginning of summer, thus, no manatees... i did not know that they really only stick around for the heat given off by the electric company during the colder months. But it was still awesome, and there was alot to see: sting ray touch tank, educational manatee videos, on the walk there were a gazillion fiddler crabs, some awesome birds, tons of interesting fish (some of which were having an argument with a crab), and a few different species of sharks. The place was also full of great volunteer staff members who are educated and great to talk to! I WILL be back in the winter, for sure!!! ❤