For the Love of Manatees
By RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (102006)
Daytona Beach, Florida
November 2, 2026 3:57pm CST
I never saw manatees outside of aquariums. Now in Apollo Beach, Florida, visitors can enjoy the Manatee Viewing Center, which is starting off its 40th anniversary season on Sunday, offering free admission.
There is a permanent touch tank habitat with cownose rays as well as shaded shelters and new wildlife viewing areas. Wild manatees by the hundreds gather each winter in the warm waters of a discharge canal near Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Power Station. So there are ample places to see these adorable creatures.
You can read more about them
https://www.fox13news.com/news/teco-manatee-viewing-center-opens-new-features-visitors-apollo-beach
8 people like this
7 responses
@Deepizzaguy (126397)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
12h
Nice to learn that manatees are going to be seen in an aquarium in Florida.
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (102006)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12h
@Deepizzaguy it is a great way to ensure they have a constant food source,
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (108868)
• Los Angeles, California
12h
I saw a manatee off in the distance in Florida.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (102006)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12h
@JohnRoberts if these manatees were closer to me I would go visit, Where do you see manatess in California?
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (102006)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12h
@JohnRoberts you are right I checked online mantees do not like the cold waters of the Pacific now we both know,
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (108868)
• Los Angeles, California
12h
@RasmaSandra There are none in California to my knowledge.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (102006)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12h
@AmbiePam they will do all right in Florida; there will be no snow,
2 people like this
@MommyOfEli2013 (91349)
• Rupert, Idaho
6h
That's very interesting, would be cool to see. I never saw one in person.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (390680)
• Rockingham, Australia
1h
Manatees are relations of Australia's dugongs. They both seem gentle, calm creatures.
