In 1986, Tampa Electric built a manatee observation platform at Big Bend Power Station and officially welcomed the first manatee watchers to its warm water discharge viewing area. Since then, the Manatee Viewing Center has hosted more than two million visitors who have come to see these endangered marine mammals.
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The center features an Environmental Education Building where you'll get a chance to learn about the manatee's biological characteristics and habitat.
Each year, the Manatee Viewing Center works with local elementary, middle and high school students to increase awareness of the Florida manatee. As part of this initiative, the students create 3-D art projects highlighting various qualities of this unique creature and its habitat.
See the 2005, 2004 and 2003 participating schools and their projects.
The center is open to the public from November 1 through April 15. The center is handicapped accessible, with vending machines, picnic shelter and gift shop. Please no pets.
A self-guided natural trail is also open, ideal for viewing the tidal flatlands. Boating, fishing, swimming or feeding of the manatees is not permitted.
While visiting the Manatee Viewing Center, be sure to stop by our Gift Shop. QTVR [123k]
Visit the Manatee Viewing Center and you're likely to meet, not one, but two Howards of special interest to Tampa Electric.
Click here for a 360 degree panoramic view of the Manatee Viewing Center and see the manatee in action!
Exterior View QTVR [264k]
Interior View QTVR [270k]
If you have QuickTime VR™ installed on your computer, you're in business. If not, download a version for Mac or Windows now from the Apple™ QuickTime VR home page. It's free! QuickTime VR will let you view 360° panoramas of the Manatee Viewing Center!
