Best Places to See Manatees in Florida: TECO and Crystal River
Manatees have been a mystical creatures for centuries, and today, finding the best places to see manatees in Florida is a top priority for nature lovers. It is estimated that there are around 10,000 Florida manatees alive, so getting a chance to see a bunch of them all in one place is pretty special.
From November until mid April is manatee season, when the Florida sunshine occasionally turns to cold and cloudy days, there are a couple of options to see these gentle giants in the wild.
Best Places to See Manatees in Florida
Three Sisters Springs, located north of Tampa in Crystal River Florida is the only place you can legally swim with manatees, though many prefer viewing them from the boardwalks to see them soaking in the warmth from the springs. A free alternative is the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach Florida which is where we went on a chilly Florida day.
TECO stands for the Tampa Electric Company, and their power plant at Big Bend outputs warm water, creating a critical warm water refuge that turns the canal into a manatee day spa. As a part of the company’s outreach program, they have created a series of observation decks and trails that provide families access to see the manatees. All of it is free, including parking.
This hidden gem offers incredible wildlife experiences, and is a great alternative for families on a budget or anyone on a day too cold for the beach.
This is a seasonal operation, typically open November 1 through mid April. The ideal conditions to see a large number of manatees is when temps stay below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. On the day we ventured over, temperatures were in the mid 50s. The day before we stopped by with temps in the 40s, the manatee population was quite large.
In addition to the manatees that you can observe, TECO has set up a stingray touch tank. The rays you’ll find here are the same stingrays you’ll find at Tampa Bay Rays baseball games. For your convenience, they also have a small cafe along with their educational center and gift shop.
The TECO Manatee Viewing Center is located at 6990 Dickman Road in Apollo Beach, Florida. From November 1 through April 15, the facility is open from 10am to 5pm; their trails close at 4pm. They observe Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Easter, and they are closed.
