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Manatee Lagoon Discovery Center in Riviera Beach Florida
The Connection Between Manatees and Electric Energy
If, during your Florida travels, you find yourself immersed in the beauty of the Palm Beaches along Florida’s Treasure Coast, you will want to add Manatee Lagoon to your itinerary. Since manatees and the Sunshine State seem to be synonymous, it makes sense someone would create a discovery center dedicated to these gentle giants. Alas, Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach, Florida was born.
Opening in 2016 at a place where the peaceful creatures naturally congregate, this educational center allows you to escape into the wonderful world of manatees. Here, you will explore the connection between the Florida manatee and the power of electric energy. The 16,000-square-foot Manatee Lagoon Discovery Center was created by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Riviera Beach. It was built shortly after FPL modernized their natural gas plant. It appears this once-endangered species is highly attracted to the warm-water discharges of FPL’s energy center. In fact, large pods of the marine mammals can be viewed here, especially during Florida’s cooler weather months. The best opportunity to spot sea cows (manatees) is from November 15 through March 31.
No worries, though, if you happen to visit Manatee Lagoon outside this window of opportunity as I did. The guided tour alone is worth your time. Additionally, there are other fun family options offered at the facility throughout the year. Check out the extensive calendar of events for free activities here. Outstanding offerings include art classes focusing on species found in the Lake Worth Lagoon, yoga on waterfront observation decks, educational aqua labs for kids, and story and craft time for toddlers.
Florida Power & Light constructed Manatee Lagoon as part of its environmental mission to educate the public about the relationship it has with manatees, but also to “inspire communities to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations.”
Note: All manatees that frequent Manatee Lagoon’s premises are wild. There are no captive manatees onsite. Manatees are a federally protected species and can only be held in captivity at facilities that meet all mandated requirements.
Florida Power & Light Facility in Riviera Beach
Manatee Lagoon — A Family Friendly Florida Attraction
As one of Palm Beach County’s newer attractions, Manatee Lagoon is perfect for visitors of all ages. The family friendly attraction consists of interactive, hands-on exhibits about the environment of Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem and why manatees are so attracted to this inland waterway. Since hubby and I attended the discovery center while most public schools were still in session there were mostly adults in our guided group tour. But our ‘manatee master’ conducted the tour in a fun and engaging manner that appealed to even the youngest children who were present.
The information was extremely educational. I mean, we’re talking a whole boat-load of manatee facts and details, that even as a Floridian I didn’t know much about. Oh, and did I mention that Manatee Lagoon Eco-Discovery Center admission is FREE? Not too many Florida attractions have that designation. Just one more reason to bring the whole family, even if you have a quiverfull of kids! The fun-filled learning experience is ideal for school field trips, home-schooling groups, summer camp excursions, or any other children’s outing. Additional information regarding field trips can be found here, including scheduling details and reservation request forms.
Snacks and beverages are available for purchase, or pack a lunch and enjoy the outdoor picnic and pavilion area. The gift shop sells a wide variety of manatee and marine-themed items, ranging from temporary tattoos and stickers to t-shirts and artwork. The prices are not outrageous, as is the case with many Florida attractions. If nothing more, treat the kids to a snow cone or ice cream, and the penny press can serve as an inexpensive souvenir.
Hands-on Exhibits at Manatee Lagoon Discovery Center
Manatee Lagoon Classroom
Manatee Lagoon Gift Shop
Manatee Lagoon Guided Tour
The guided walking tour of the visitor center was excellent. We were told it would last between 30 and 60 minutes, and our tour lasted about 45 minutes. The tour Guides are called ‘Manatee Masters,’ and the young man we had certainly mastered the art of communicating to us everything he had learned about these incredible sea creatures.
He was doing an internship at Manatee Lagoon while studying to become a marine biologist. He revealed facts concerning the manatee anatomy, physiology, and the importance of GPS tracking devices. He also explained the relationship of manatees and the Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem. His insight into “all things manatee” was comprehensive, touching on all aspects of the manatee’s life cycle and habits. Although the scope of information was wide-ranging, he allowed ample time for questions (in case he forgot to mention something of interest), and even included a bit of fun trivia. The educational value was so complete, hubby and I would have gladly paid for the tour.
Apparently we’re not alone in our conclusion, as Manatee Lagoon has received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence Award and is rated #6 of 101 things to do in West Palm Beach.
NOTE: The visitor center has a museum-like layout, allowing you to get the same information in a self-guided format if you choose not to participate in the group tour. Guided tours are offered five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, at 2:00 PM. (No tours on Sundays, and the facility is closed on Mondays.)
Manatee Lagoon Discovery Center Guided Tour
Our Manatee Master: Explaining the manatee tracking device and dangers of fishing line
Florida Manatee Facts
I’ve included a few of the interesting facts I learned about Florida manatees during my guided tour:
- Florida manatees are large, aquatic mammals that are native to Florida
- Manatees are distant relatives to elephants (remnant of a time when manatees lived on land)
- Size range from 9 – 13 feet
- Weigh 1000 – 3500 pounds
- Manatees are aquatic herbivores (plant-eaters)
- Also known as ‘sea cows’
- Females are called cows, males are bulls, a baby manatee is a calf
- Manatees can live over 65 years (in captivity)
- Of the wild manatees that reach adulthood, only about half survive into their early 20s
- Florida manatee status has improved from ‘endangered’ to ‘threatened’
- Manatees have only six neck vertebrae — they cannot turn their heads sideways, and must turn their whole body around to look behind them
- The bones in a manatee’s flipper are similar to a human hand
- A manatee’s teeth (all molars) are constantly being replaced every month
- Manatees never go on land
- Manatees breathe air but can stay under the water for 20 minutes without taking a breath (while resting)
- Manatees are quite agile in the water — they can swim upside down, roll, do somersaults or move vertically in the water
Manatee Skeletons at Manatee Lagoon Discovery Center
In Conclusion
I totally enjoyed my experience at Manatee Lagoon Eco-Discovery Center in Riviera Beach, Florida. It’s not an attraction I would drive several hours to visit, but by all means, if you’re in South Florida near the Palm Beaches it’s worth checking out.
The contemporary, two-story visitor center is surrounded by wraparound decks, the perfect spot for manatee viewing. And although peak manatee season is from fall to spring, the educational value is worth a visit any time of year. The informative and interactive displays tell the captivating story of this once-endangered species.
Before rushing off, take a leisurely stroll along the seawall leading to the picnic pavilions. From here, you can watch the action at nearby Peanut Island and the Port of Palm Beach. Then, as you’re heading to the parking lot, a selfie or group photo by the manatee sculpture is a must.
I highly recommend Manatee Lagoon. The staff were all very pleasant and helpful. And, of course, with free parking, free admission, and free tours it gets my vote for one of those rare Florida freebies!
Manatee Lagoon Discovery Center, Riviera Beach Florida
Manatee Lagoon Riviera Beach – Viewing Spots
Where Can I See Manatees in Florida?
If you’re like most visitors to the Sunshine State, you’re probably wondering, ‘Where can I find manatees in Florida?’ Most tourists (and a great many local Floridians) have never seen a manatee up close. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created a fantastic resource for anyone desiring to view these gentle giants. The listing includes 7 rehabilitation/educational facilities to see manatees, and 12 additional locations to view manatees in the wild. The manatee locations map is available for download here. Each location has a helpful clickable link to obtain all pertinent information — directions, admission price, brochures, etc.
Additional Resources:
- More manatee facts and information is available from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
- You can support Florida’s Manatee Program by purchasing specialty “Save the Manatee” license plates.
- Manatees: Florida’s Gentle Giants Activity Workbook (downloadable).
- What should you do when you see a manatee? Viewing guidelines.
- View manatees in Manatee Lagoon via a live Manatee Cam.
- Blue Spring State Park Manatee Webcam.