The Best Places Near Tampa To See Manatees

Tampa Bay is home to much more than just football. If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with friends or family in Tampa, look no further. Tampa Bay is home to one of the cutest aquatic animals, the West India Manatee. These Manatees are gentle herbivores that love to lounge in the sun off the Gulf of Mexico. Make sure you keep an eye out for these loveable creatures’ shadows in the water or bobbing for air while taking a swim. If you want to meet the Manatees, we have found some great locations.

Teco Manatee Viewing Center

The Tampa Electric Co.’s Big Bend power plant is just a short 20-minute drive from downtown. Believe it or not, the West Indian Manatees hover close to this power plant. The power station’s water discharge is warm, which is what has drawn manatees to it for 30 years! There is a long boardwalk right next to this warm water pool making it a fabulous spot to watch the manatees swim about. In addition to the manatees, skates, rays, and spinner sharks also occupy the area. The wonderful part about this attraction is that it is free. There is also a nature center where you can learn so much more about these adorable manatees.

Zootampa at Lowry Park

Don’t let the manatees’ size fool you, they are delicate creatures. The biggest risks these manatees face are cold water and boat propellers. Lucky for these guys Tampa Bay is home to Florida’s only non-profit rehabilitation center, Marquee Zoo. This center is a lifesaver to injured West Indian Manatees. Over 370 manatees have been treated at this facility and 200 were released back into the ocean to continue their warm-water swims. If you choose to visit Zootamps at Lowry Park, you can indulge in the zoo’s underwater viewing area. Don’t sleep on this amazing opportunity to see Tampa Bay’s cuddliest aquatic mammal.

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The Tampa Riverwalk

The Tampa Riverwalk sits in the heart of downtown between the historic center and the waterworks park. Since the Riverwalk is a waterfront, it’s a great location for a little manatee watching. Make sure you enjoy your time watching these sweet creatures but remember not to touch them!