When you visit University Village this winter, you are only a 35 minute drive to one of Florida’s environmental treasures! Twenty eight miles to our south, you can witness the Florida manatees basking in a warm water canal in Apollo Beach.

When the Tampa Bay water temperature gets below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the manatees seek refuge in warmer waters. It is during our winter months (November through mid-April) these gentle giants of the sea find their way to the warm water reservoir at Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Station.

Saltwater from the bay is used in the TECO plant’s condensing process and is returned to the bay slightly warmer which is just enough to provide a winter haven for the manatees. Thanks to the efforts of Tampa Electric officials, the area is an official state and federal manatee sanctuary. The Manatee Viewing Center has grown to a 50-acre facility complete with observation platforms, a tidal walkway nature trail, volunteer docents to answer your questions, an Education Center, plus a gift shop and café. Admission and parking are free.

Take a stroll down the tidal walkway and become surrounded by mangrove trees. Pick up one of the illustrated brochures to learn about the coastal ecosystem, the native foliage, plus the birds, fish, and other critters occupying this habitat. Fifteen different species of coastal waterbirds find this shoreline and estuary their home.

As you walk out of the mangrove canopy, the pier extends over the water. View dozens of manatees just lazily basking in the warm canal. This warm-blooded, plant-eating mammal will surface regularly to breathe. If you are lucky, you will catch one looking in your direction.

Keep your eyes peeled for the leaping spotted eagle ray, which can jump completely out of the water. The southern stingray and the cow-nosed ray can be seen gliding along in the shallow waters on either side of the tidal walk. Be sure to bring your binoculars and camera!

Plan on taking a short excursion after your University Village tour and don’t miss your opportunity to see dozens of Florida manatees up close!

Operation: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 1st though April 15th.

Admission and parking are FREE.

(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Christmas Eve closed at 3 p.m.)

Directions: Take Interstate 75 to Apollo Beach, Exit # 246. Turn west on Big Bend Road (C.R. 672). Travel 2.5 miles west to the curve intersection of Big Bend and Dickman Roads. The Manatee Viewing Center is on the right.

More information: www.manatee-teco.com or call (813) 228-4289

Online preview: go to www.manatee-teco.com and choose “Fun Stuff” on the left column and then select “Web cam East or Web cam West” in the drop down menu. Click on the photo and you will be in the queue for your turn at controlling the camera! You can catch a close up of a manatee coming up for air or in the blink of an eye you might see a fish or ray jump out of the water. Seeing it on camera is definitely fun and in person is totally awesome!