While you can spot manatees year-round in South Florida, they come out in full force during the winter months as they navigate to warmer waters.
They’re our snowbirds of the sea, if you will.
When the Lake Worth Lagoon drops to 68 degrees or below, these gentle giants migrate to a familiar spot in Palm Beach County — you’ll find them congregating in the outflow of Florida Power & Light Co.’s Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center. The season lasts from mid-November through March.
In anticipation of this return, Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center, which is adjacent to the power plant, is giving them a warm welcome with a free Manatee Season Kickoff from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
“We are shining the spotlight on their migration while inviting visitors to learn more about manatees through fun, hands-on activities and exhibits,” said Manatee Lagoon manager Meredith Rollo.
Featuring this year’s theme, “Migration Celebration,” the event will include a mini-lecture series, face painting, food trucks, outdoor games, Manatee Tales Story Time, and Mia the Manatee appearances.
A mission for the manatees
Manatee Lagoon opened in February 2016 — about two years after the natural-gas power plant replaced an older one that was demolished in 2011 — but sea cows have been flocking to the warm waters around it for decades.
The two-story, 16,000-square-foot facility was built as part of FPL’s environmental mission to “deepen public understanding of the connection between people, manatees and the natural world, and to encourage everyone to help protect Florida’s wildlife for generations to come,” Rollo said.
The center draws about 200,000 visitors annually, she said, with its featured exhibits, which include a seagrass nursery, Lake Worth Lagoon photos, artificial reef facts and a film about our connection to the manatees. Throughout the year, the facility also offers tours, lectures, adult yoga, story time and special events.
“Whether guests come for special events like the annual Manatee Season Kickoff or ManateeFest, register for a school field trip or summer camp, participate in our educational programs, or simply enjoy the scenic views and daily activities, every visit helps foster awareness and appreciation for manatees and environmental conservation,” Rollo said.
Viewing tips
Head outside to the facility’s viewing area where you may see some of the marine mammals huddling together during cooler weather.
“While sightings can’t be guaranteed, visitors often see manatees gathering near our observation deck as water temperatures begin to drop,” Rollo said. “For the best viewing, plan your visit after two or three days of cooler weather. Those conditions tend to draw the most manatees to the area and make for excellent viewing from our observation deck.”
Averaging about 10 feet long and 1,000 pounds, with their two front flippers, algae-covered backs and paddle-shaped tails, manatees are hard to miss when they show up.
Can’t make it in person? Try the center’s live Manatee Cam to catch a virtual glimpse of the manatees and other marine life that call the Lake Worth Lagoon home, including tarpon, moon jellyfish, green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, and nurse and bull sharks.
Some of the manatees that hang around Manatee Lagoon can be identified by the scars on their gray, bristle-haired, leathery-looking skin as a result of boat strikes, entanglement in fishing gear or fungal infections.
Fish, for example, named for the shape of one of her scars, is about 38 years old and returns every December. Chessie, Chew Choo, Natalie, Footprint II, Illusion, Sunshine and Sweetheart are among the other regulars.
What’s the state of the manatees in Florida going into the season?
They are showing signs of recovery, and there’s reason for optimism, Rollo said.
“In 2024, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recorded 565 manatee deaths, similar to the 555 deaths the previous year, down significantly from the more than 1,100 deaths in 2021, when starvation was a major factor,” she said.
The Florida manatee is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. It’s illegal to feed, harass or harm them, and the state has regulatory speed zones for boats in areas where manatees live or travel.
“Generally, the manatee population is stable but faces threats from habitat loss, cold stress and boat strikes,” Rollo said. “Conservation efforts and community awareness remain vital to ensuring their protection.”
Celebrating 10 years
Manatee Lagoon plans to mark its 10th anniversary with ManateeFest 2026 on Feb. 7, but it’s also unveiling new offerings to celebrate the milestone year.
“Manatee Lagoon continues to grow, not just in the number of visitors we welcome but in the ways we connect with our community,” Rollo said. “Families and educators can take advantage of our brand-new Homeschool Mondays, designed to provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences tailored for homeschoolers.
“Guests can also now book private tours for a more personalized exploration of the center and its manatee visitors.”
Interactive screens are being updated across the center with refreshed content to provide easier access to information, she said.
Since it opened, the center’s programming has expanded to include Manatee Tales Story Time, Lectures at the Lagoon, Sensory Saturdays and free sensory kits.
“Beyond its educational mission, Manatee Lagoon has become a stunning gathering space for community and private events with new offerings for intimate celebrations,” Rollo said. “Each celebration supports our mission dedicated to educating the public about manatees and the Lake Worth Lagoon, and inspiring communities to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations.”
What’s the most important lesson taught at the center?
“Visitors to Manatee Lagoon learn that manatees are more than just gentle giants, they’re indicators of a healthy Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem,” Rollo said. “They leave understanding that protecting these animals means protecting the entire ecosystem, and that each of us has a role in keeping Florida’s environment thriving.”
Manatee Lagoon, 6000 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through March, and closed on Mondays from April 1 through Nov. 14 and select holidays. Admission is free.
WHAT: Manatee Season Kickoff
WHEN: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Manatee Lagoon, 6000 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach
COST: Free