Rapidly gaining the title of the most visited attractions in the Tampa area you must visit next time you are on the Gulf Coast in Florida. The unimaginative title of ‘The Tampa Electric Company’ doesn’t sound like somewhere you would want to make part of your vacation time. 

During the winter months Florida is famed for the migration of ‘Snow Birds’ from the bitter winters of the North East of America and Canada. Thousands of retirees make the ‘Sunshine State’ home for a few weeks between November and March. Well they aren’t the only mammals in search of warmth during the winter. The harmless and serene Manatees start their search of warmer waters around the Florida coastlines and further inland to the sparkling clear water of the various springs.

There are plenty of viewing opportunities and very often in remote areas of the forests that cloak areas of Florida but planning is essential. Some of the springs are in state parks and early arrivals are highly recommended and they will be busy. 

Manatees naturally have no enemies except for the boats that are also fighting for space around the coastline and this has caused a decline in their numbers.

Homosassa State Park is a rescue centre to rehabilitate injured and orphaned Manatee’s with the aim of releasing them back into the wild. There is an underground viewing area to see the Manatee as they feed on their underwater salad bar.

The Tampa Electric Company offers free Manatee viewing on beautiful clean boardwalks in the shadow of their industrial and working power station. It is completely free to park and visit and is manned by retirees of the electric company. 

There are plenty of viewing areas around the power station discharge area which keeps the water warm which is what attracts the Manatees to this particular area. Speakers all around the walkways inform the visitor facts about the Manatees.

There is a pool with rays that you can feed under the supervision of a volunteer. Of course there are food outlets and a well stocked gift shop.

If the car park is full there is an overflow car park further up the road and a small fleet of golf carts will take you back to the entrance along the trail path.

Also there is a turtle viewing area that the golf carts will take you to. 

The area is part of the Florida Conservation and Technology Centre and there are many trails to explore as well as the main attraction of the Manatees.

Location: 6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, FL 33572

It is well worth a visit whilst you are on the Gulf Coast of Florida.