Years ago I remember seeing the most spectacular neon-colored tropical fish at the power plant. The fish are no longer there -- well, there are some large gray ones -- but the manatees come back in droves during pique season, mid-November to early spring. Fascinating, gentle creatures that feed on sea grass. The Discovery Center is free, with information and appeal to both children and adults. Do come! It's worth the drive. And the bathroom is clean! read more

I think this is one of the best free things to do in West Palm Beach. I had no clue about it until I was researching things to do and it popped up on Yelp. It is sponsored by FPL, which is located next door to the place. The time to see manatees is March through November, but we were able to see a couple of them on our visit! There were also lots of fish, rays, and sharks. It was a nice day outside, so lots of people were visiting, eating lunch outside, and walking around the gift shop and information center. The facility is beautiful and kept in nice condition. There are elevators for getting up and down the two floors, as well as ramps for handicap access. We spent close to half an hour here, watching the wildlife and boats. read more

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When the price is free it's pretty easy to get a good return on your time investment. Mannattee sightings are variable week to week (300 last week but only 5 this week I overheard?) and even time of the day but it seems like you have a reasonably good chance of seeing the cows of the sea here. We saw 3, or maybe 2 with it being hard to tell if it was the same one twice or perhaps a member of the same family. Because of the warm water coming from the adjacent clean energy power plant, the manatees are impressingly visible in the bay. We also saw a shark and a few interesting fish nearby. It looked like they were in the process of setting up a underwater camera with a viewing station inside the information center. They have many interesting panels all about manatees inside with a ton of information inside. This is a good activity for both parents and kids and while I wouldn't do this multiple times a season, I would come back next year if I was in the area. read more

such a cool experience. we waited for 10-15 minutes and got lucky that many manatees came up. an awesome gift shop with decent prices, friendly staff! read more

While still under some construction, Manatee Lagoon is a beautiful facility offering views of manatees and promoting conservation. There is information in the visitor center about manatees and their ecosystem, as well as an interactive game. We arrived on the public opening today, and it was quite crowded. While there is a large lot, it had reached capacity and they were offering free valet. The opening was well-promoted, so most other days will probably not be as crowded. We only saw one manatee come up for air a few times while there. I'd recommend going when it's cold out and at high tide to maximize your manatee sightings. The water in the area is heated (it used to be heated as pipes from the power plant cooled using the water), so the manatees flock to the area on cold days to keep warm. We didn't go to the concession stand because it seemed they only had some snacks at the time. There is a gift shop with a bunch of manatee and beachy items. I, of course, got a manatee with a hoodie and some post cards. read more

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Last time we came it was in the Summer. We were lucky to see one lone manatee swimming in the water. Today, we saw several groups of manatees swimming close to the lagoon. Although it was raining today, visitors still came to visit the manatees. read more

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Came with a friend and this is super! Very nice displays and a very well informed and informative guide. Cute gift shop. Can't wait to bring my grandkids next time they visit. Good for adults as well as kids. Loved it! read more

Yesterday my mom and I stopped here. The facility itself is really beautiful and easily accessible to people who have a physical disability. I was able to drop my mom off and park the car with ease. The parking lot is very spacious. Though we did not see any manatees, we did see hundreds of barracuda. I should also mention that we saw the shadows of a few sharks when we were at the viewing area above the normal viewing space. The viewing area on the second floor is really amazing! It is just outside of what appears to be a conference area. My mom and I took the elevator because of her disability. The wonderful woman who appeared to be part security guard and part customer service offered us the in house wheelchair. Very kind of her! From the top we were able to see the Barracuda even better. The pictures I will share do not do our view Justice! It did help, however, that I had polarized sunglasses on. When we went back in we walked through the downstairs area and were able to read up on manatees. We ended our visit in the sweet gift shop. For a gift shop we both felt that the prices were pretty reasonable. Perhaps the best part about this facility is that it is absolutely free! My mom and I plan to return to do a picnic on the grounds. The staff was absolutely lovely and so was the space. A must do when you are in South Florida! read more

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This is a hidden gem! The sad thing is the best time to go is when there is chilly weather in Florida which doesn't happen often if you want to see manatees. There is an ample amount of parking and during busy times they have staff directing traffic to keep the flow moving so despite a lot of traffic it didn't take long to park which is a huge plus. The museum area is small but has a good amount of information to make it a learning experience for the children. The bad thing is when it's very crowded this area is not very large so it can easily be congested and if you have to bring a stroller it can be difficult to maneuver. Also, the elevator wasn't working that day. The main attraction is seeing the Manatees!!! It was incredible to see them huddled together and swimming around the lagoon. Be sure to go upstairs as the view is much better from the second floor!! You can even see Manatees swimming in the ocean to and from the lagoon. I didn't stop by the gift shop area but did notice it was there so there are opportunities to buy gifts and other trinkets if you like. Overall, this is a must see if you are fortunate enough to be in the area during cooler weather in the winter. read more

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Very educational with lots of information for adults and children. Unfortunately this time there were no manatees they were eating and having fun. Yeah I strongly recommend parents to bring your children here. read more

We did a sunset tour and the captain of that ship told us about this place. We went the next day. It is FREE. Totally worth your time. We learned a ton and were lucky enough to see one momma and a baby in late November. They have some cute stuff in their gift shop. Free parking as well. We highly recommend stopping. They also have a webex to see the manatees from home. read more

I love coming to this place to unwind and relax even though the parking situation is always a hassle. I always run into something different here, sometimes we have bull sharks, barracudas, manatees, jelly fish, stingrays, etc. It's a nice place to go with the family and view some marine life. It's a shame that they don't have a restaurant, or a deli, or anywhere to buy food in the area. read more

An exciting new educational FREE attraction with FREE Parking ~ open just 1 year ~ the Manatee Lagoon is an Eco-Discovery Center. Manatees gather at warm water effluents of power plants like the Riviera Beach Clean Energy Center, built by Florida Power & Light & opened in 2014. Manatees need warm water to survive. They cannot tolerate temperatures below 68F / 20C for long periods of time. In February 2015, FP&L began construction on the Manatee Education Center. The 16,000-square-foot center features 2 levels of exhibits, meeting space, & observation areas, a boardwalk, & a manatee web cam. The Center provides a rare opportunity for visitors to learn all about these endangered and unique creatures as well as the natural wonders of the surrounding Lake Worth Lagoon. Highly recommended for all ages. read more

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Visited in mid-February. I guess the water was warm elsewhere because there weren't many manatees out at the lagoon - just one who floated in and fell asleep. People here seem dedicated. Nice that the power plant next door converted to natural gas and has no byproduct in the wastewater discharge which is the perfect temp. for a manatee habitat. read more

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Sorry, I wanted to love this place, but sadly no. My husband and I did not find even one Manatee. At least, I thought an employee might offer a suggestion of a potential sighting or a better time to visit-no such luck:( Beautiful building and educational center. read more

Manatee Lagoon - Aquariums Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

This is a beautiful new facility to help care for our beloved manatees, while keeping them warm and safe during the cold season. There were so many people when we got there, that the parking lot was full, but there were officers directing traffic to different parking areas. That being said, the facility itself didn't feel at all crowded. Sitting in a gorgeous lagoon, the building has long walkways on both the lower and upper levels. There were plenty of manatees cruising in and out between the open lagoon and the area of the building. Inside the structure are plenty of educational displays, along with a big room for classes and a lovely gift shop with some really fun items. Proceeds from the shop help take care of the manatees. If you don't know about our manatees and have never seen one in its natural habitat, this is a "must" place to visit. read more

Manatee Lagoon - Aquariums Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

Need about 1 hour. Wear sunscreen. Mainly reading info with pictures. Some interactive screens. There are a few aquariums, 100 gallon.

Obviously a great experience on days the manatees are gathered, a bit too little to do on 0 count days, but a very clean, well designed and environmentally informative site. Check the count before making a long drive, though, unless your kids are ok with disappointment. read more

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This place is so cool and it's FREE! They have a live manatee camera online so you can see if there are manatees in the viewing area before you drive all the way out. Best times to view are typically November through March. read more

Manatee Lagoon - Aquariums Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

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'Ello chaps! Time to share with you my review on Manatee Lagoon. A family-friendly attraction recently opened at FPL in Riviera Beach. The educational center allows you to see manatees up close as they seek warm water during cool weather. It is a 16,000 square foot center that also offers an indoors educational exhibits, various observation decks, gift shop and small cafe. The best part about this? It's not only family friend (but great for adults too) but it's ALL FREE!! Free admission, Free parking. You can even watch live on Earthcam. This is a GREAT attraction to check out! read more

It is a pretty spot but we did not see as by manatee. But at least it is free. There is informational pictures inside.

What a great place to visit to see manatees and other marine life. Educational center is super informative and clean. Who knew manatees have 5 "finger-like" bones under their flippers. read more

Awesome experience and beautiful location in the water for the family. Swarms of manatees and a great education on one of the cutest mammals swimming this earth. At the affordable price of free, this is a don't miss spot if you're looking for a fun few hours near west palm beach or singer island. read more

This is one of the best most informative, most inexpensive places you can take people who come to visit. Try to go when it is cold to see a large amount of manatees. read more

This was a very small museum next to a power plant. We spent about 40 minutes there looking for manatees, but didn't get to see any (in early November). It was a disappointment for my kids. Apparently manatees come in large numbers in December and when it's colder, so plan your trips accordingly. read more

This is one of my favorite places to go walk around, relax and unwind. The waterfront intracoastal views are amazing. When the weather is cooler you will see a ton of manatees! read more

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This place was beautiful. I was really surprised to actually see manatees present. The building has incredible displays that were very informative even to those who came with who weren't interested in manatees. The water was crystal clear and they named all the fish present on a nearby whiteboard (which included barracudas)! There is also a deck upstairs that gives you a great aerial view. read more

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Came on a Wednesday afternoon around 1pm and unfortunately there were no manatees at the time. However, they do monitor the cameras, and when 2 manatees appeared, the staff would inform you to go out to the observation deck to watch. I was only able to see the silhouette of the manatees but still great none the less. Without the manatees, there were still plenty of fishes roaming around. And I don't mean just regular fishes, they were huge and some smaller fishes had wonderful coloring so it was a nice site. The manatee exhibition itself was quite small. They do have a number of interactive activities which are great for kids. But I would say you'd only spend about 15 minutes here max if they were no manatees around. Overall a nice place to bring the kids, but not a must go. read more

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You will see manatees and their sea calf. The best time to go when it is cold because they will bunch around together and traveling in in a pack. You will learn a lot about their environment and preditors. You will see the bones of the Manatees. You will see underwater pictures. Great place to take children or the whole family and it is free. read more

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I am a manatee fanatee and this is where I can catch a glimpse of the stars of the Florida waterways. FPL built this brand new eco center a year ago. There is no admission charge to come in. The building is two floors housing manatee displays and a small gift shop. On the outside is a snack bar. Manatees can be viewed either from the ground floor or the upstairs balcony. They like to gather where the warm water is discharged from the power plant. The best time to see them is in the winter when we get a prolonged cold snap of at least two to three days. They like sunny cold weather. As soon as the waterway temperature equals the discharge water temperature they are back out in search of sea grass. Today was the perfect conditions, there were 169! It is so amazing to watch them in the wild like they are meant to be instead of penned up in an aquarium. You cannot feed them because they are protected wildlife. Just enjoy watching them do what manatees do. Check the manatee cam before you go to see if the manatees are present that day. Thank you FPL for this wonderful center. read more

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So the 1st thing you should know is there's a manatee Cam... meaning that you can check online if they're there before you take the drive! It would be helpful if this is one of the 1st things we were aware of when you visit their website. Nonetheless it was a great excursion and remind quite a bit and it's free. read more

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Unique interesting great place. We saw multiple manatees this morning in the cold weather. Saw sandsharks too and various fish in the lagoon. Visitors center and observation deck above are good too. And its all free. Worth a visit read more

Great for a free entertainment. There's a small museum, statues outside, & view of water. If it's cool out you'll have a better chance of seeing manatees. read more

Manatee Lagoon - Aquariums Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida

Very rude employee in gift shop. We were the only patrons in the store and she could not be bothered to even speak to us after my husband tried to say hello read more

Nifty spot. No manatee sightings due to low tide but enjoyed the guided tour explaining about the manatees.

This place is amazing and the best part is it's FREE. When my boyfriend moved to the area I was looking for fun things to do! Through Facebook I was introduced to manatee lagoon. The first time we went there were sadly no manatees to be seen. We still had a great time going though the amazing space. The location is beautiful and on the water and it is full of so much information and fun/interactive areas. While stopping at the gift shop on the way out, the amazing staff informed me that they have a camera outside to check if the manatees are there. All you have to do is check online and the best time is when it's cold! Everyday for a week I woke up to check and finally I could see some where there. I forced my boyfriend to go with me while it was raining and it was so worth it!! It's amazing to see these creatures so up close and personal. I've seen manatees before but never in this quantity, and they are up close! I highly recommend this to anyone coming to the area, it's great for children but also for adults! read more

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Seeing the great reviews, we decided to stop by on our way to the airport. We had a few hours to kill so took a Lyft there with our toddler and luggage in tow. As it was a windy day we did not see any manatees. But what was more disappointing was they called an officer to escort us out of the building because we had suitcases?! Apparently no luggage is allowed on the premises at all. This should be made more apparent on the website and entrance as we would not have wasted a cab fare to venture out here. We would have also avoided the mortification of being told to leave the building immediately. My husband had to stand outside in the parking lot while I stayed inside to call another Lyft. Do not recommend for tourists. read more

Great place to visit. Free parking and Free entry. Great place to go with the family. Very educational! We learned good stuff about the Manatees. read more

Beautiful center! Unfortunately we came in the off season so we didn't see any manatees but we did learn a lot from Ken in the gift shop. He was very kind and knowledgeable. Great bathrooms here too! Some how we spent plenty of money in the gift shop even with no manatee sightings! I will be back in December with the hopes of seeing some of these beautiful creatures! read more

This place is an absolute must for the little ones (and well,ok, for the adults too ). It's completely free of charge, including the parking, and offers a lot of educational pieces on manatees varying from their lifespan, habitat, diet and more. My personal favorite thing about this place is the fact that the manatees are all entirely wild and come and go as they please. This also means that sightings of the manatee is more common during certain times of the day compared to others (thankfully we got to see a small handful late in the afternoon!) The only thing I wish they had here was someone outside to answer any questions while observing these lovely creatures. read more

Manatee Lagoon - Just a baby and her momma and a tagalong sheepshead at Manatee Lagoon. - Aquariums Near Me - West Palm Beach, Florida