APOLLO BEACH — One of Tampa Bay's best free days out is back.
Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center opened Sunday, Nov. 1, for its 2026-27 season, the attraction's 40th, FOX 13 reported. Admission and parking are still free.
Why the manatees come here
Since the early 1970s, manatees have escaped the cold in the warm-water discharge canal at TECO's Big Bend Power Station. When the water in Tampa Bay drops to 68 degrees or colder, they crowd into the canal, sometimes hundreds at a time.
On one especially cold day last season, TECO counted a record 2,100 manatees in the canal. About 190 have been documented coming back for more than 20 years, and one has returned for more than four decades. The canal is a state and federal manatee sanctuary.
That means your best shot at a big crowd is the morning after a cold front, not a warm November afternoon. In early November you may see only a few.
What's new this season
The biggest change is for the cownose rays in the touch tank. They now live at the center year-round instead of being moved somewhere else each summer, which TECO says spares them the stress of relocating. In the off-season they'll work with summer campers.
“Whether you're watching manatees in the wild or getting an up-close look at the rays, it's a chance to connect with nature and see environmental stewardship in action,” said Stan Kroh, TECO's manager of Land and Stewardship Programs.
Also new or improved:
- A freshwater turtle habitat with underwater viewing at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center.
- Public access to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's fish hatchery.
- A shaded shelter for the tram stop at the south end of the parking lot.
- Solar-powered charging tables, replacing ones damaged by hurricanes.
- Upgrades to the Tom Hernandez Clean Energy Center through the season.
The nature trail, the 50-foot observation tower and the exhibits on Florida's environment are still there too.
Hours and tips
The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through April 15. It's closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, and closes at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. TECO suggests comfortable shoes and clothes. Trained service animals are allowed.
More details are on the Manatee Viewing Center's website, or call 813-228-4289.