Apollo Beach manatee center marks 40 years with new ray habitat

The Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, Florida, opens its 2026-27 season on Sunday, November 1, coinciding with the site's 40th anniversary.

Tampa Electric confirmed the facility will welcome visitors starting that day. The site operates as a free attraction where manatees gather in a warm-water canal adjacent to the Big Bend Power Station. The center draws nearly 400,000 visitors during each season.

A major change this year involves the permanent relocation of cownose rays to the center's touch tank. TECO stated that keeping the rays on site year-round prevents the stress of transferring them to another location during the summer months. Staff plan to use the animals as ambassadors for summer campers during the off-season.

Stan Kroh, manager of Land and Stewardship Programs for TECO, described the addition as a permanent home for the species. "Whether you’re watching manatees in the wild or getting an up-close look at the rays, it’s a chance to connect with nature and see environmental stewardship in action," Kroh said.

The facility also rolled out several infrastructure upgrades. A new shaded shelter now serves visitors waiting for tram pickup near the south end of the parking lot. The Suncoast Youth Conservation Center added a freshwater turtle habitat with underwater viewing capabilities. Public access to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s fish hatchery is also available. Solar-powered charging tables replaced units damaged by hurricanes.

Manatees have used the canal as a refuge since the early 1970s. When water temperatures in Tampa Bay drop to 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, the animals congregate in the area. At peak times, hundreds can be seen simultaneously. TECO recorded a seasonal high of 2,100 manatees in the canal during a particularly cold day last year.

The area functions as a state and federal manatee sanctuary. Approximately 190 manatees have returned to the site for more than 20 years, and one individual has returned for over four decades. The center is the anchor of the 500-acre Florida Conservation and Technology Center campus, which includes partners such as The Florida Aquarium and the University of Florida. The site has hosted more than 8.7 million visitors since opening. Admission and parking remain free, with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until April 15, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.