Tampa Electric’s environmental education facility features new exhibits, games for kids and a hurricane simulator. That’s in addition to the vibrant Florida plants and birds on display and – when the water temperature of Tampa Bay falls below 68 degrees Fahrenheit – manatees up close in the wild. From Nov. 1 through April 15, join the more than 2.7 million visitors who since 1986 have to come to experience a unique destination in Apollo Beach. From home, you can also operate our two Web cameras at the center. No pets, please, but service dogs are permitted. Admission and parking are free!
On March 14, 2009, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Conservation Lands Program honored Tampa Electric’s Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) department at the Green Swamp near Dade City. EHS team members conduct ongoing habitat restoration at Newman Branch Creek in Apollo Beach, located south of the Manatee Viewing Center. This effort includes participation from volunteers including TECO Energy team members and local students, who help restore the coastal habitats while learning about the plants and animals that live in the estuary. Read more.
The Manatee Viewing Center is home to a 40-panel, 7,000-watt photovoltaic (PV) solar panel array. Installed atop the Center's education building, visitors can see this impressive system from the main parking lot and learn more about how solar power is generated. Visit the solar page to learn about Tampa Electric's other PV array installations.
Chart this PV array’s hour-by-hour output.
The Manatee Viewing Center is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., November 1 through April 15. (The center is closed Thanksgiving, at 3 p.m. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Easter.) From home, you can operate the center’s east and west Web cameras. Make your reservations here for your class or group to visit the Manatee Viewing Center. For more information, call (813) 228-4289.
Directions to the Manatee Viewing Center.
The Manatee Viewing Center is proud to feature free parking and admission for its guests. Any donations you choose to make to the center are greatly appreciated and go directly toward the purchase and maintenance of educational exhibits and publications that can help teach more visitors about the manatee and the many animals and plants that share its habitat.
