Manatee Park

Manatee Park Review

You may glimpse Florida's most famous marine mammal. When gulf waters are cold—usually from November to March—the gentle sea cows congregate in these waters, which are warmed by the outflow of a nearby power plant. Pause at any of the three observation decks (the first nearest the outflow and last at the lagoon usually yield the most sightings) and watch for bubbles. Hydrophones on the last deck allow you to eavesdrop on their songs. Periodically (more frequently on cold days) one of the mammoth creatures—mature adults weigh hundreds of pounds—will surface. The park rents kayaks in winter and on summer weekends and offers kayaking clinics (www.calusabluewayoutfitters.com) and free guided walks among the butterfly garden and other native vegetation.