“Manatee Park is a great location for viewing non-captive Florida manatees in Lee County during the winter months,” says Laura Carr, Supervisor at Manatee Park.

Also known as Sea Cows, manatees are large, gray aquatic mammals around nine to 10 feet long and weighing about 1,000 pounds. They have two front flippers, wrinkly faces, and whiskers on their snouts. “Although they produce their body heat, they still require a way to stay warm when the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico cools below 68° F (20° C).  Manatees visit the park in search of the warm water in the Manatee Park canal from the Florida Power & Light power plant across the street,” states Carr.  The warm water at the park is created as a byproduct of cooling the equipment.  

December through March are the best months for viewing manatees at Manatee Park, as on average, there are 30-40 manatees per day in this non-captive refuge. After a cold front, that number may increase between 60-90 manatees per day.  

Thanks to a livestream camera, funded by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, visitors can see if manatees are present in the park before heading over.  The webcam can be accessed on the Manatee Park website at www.leeparks.org.  

While at the park, guests can walk along the canal and view the manatees from shore or kayak, attend programs, play on the playground, stroll the butterfly garden, or learn more about the park.  “From mid-December through mid-March, the park offers a daily 2 pm ‘All About Manatees’ program uses photos and artifacts to give visitors a chance to learn even more about these amazing animals, “adds Carr.

There’s also a public paddle craft launch where you can launch your own non-motorized vessel.  The Manatee Kayaking Company, located on the Orange River, operates the onsite gift shop, rents kayaks, and offers guided manatee tours.  Interested visitors can learn more about rentals and tours at manateekayakingcompany.com.  

“While on the water with manatees, or from the shore, it is important to look, but not touch, chase, offer them food or give them water as these interactions can alter their behavior in the wild,” states Carr.

Near the Welcome Center, the butterfly garden is landscaped with blooming plants that provide nectar for the adult butterflies and a food source for a variety of caterpillars.  Guests can enjoy a garden tour of the butterfly garden and habitats that a volunteer naturalist leads.  The tours are offered at 9 am every Sunday through March 2025, and offer guests a chance to learn about the park’s history, its butterfly gardens and the native flora and fauna that reside in some of Florida’s habitats. The tour is free with paid parking. Additionally, the park offers other exploration methods through Nature Bingo and Eye on Nature activities. You can find these self-serve activities in the blue kiosk located behind the Welcome Center. December 1 through April 30, the parking fee is $2 per hour; $5 per day for cars, trucks, mini vans; $10 for a shuttle van, and $20 for a tour bus or RV. 

Manatee Park is open 8 a.m. to dusk. No pets are allowed. Manatee Park is located at 10901 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers, 239-533-7275, Leegov.com.