When the manatees come to the lagoon

Wild FloridaJanuary 15, 2026

Why they gather

Manatees cannot tolerate cold water for long, so when the ocean cools they crowd into any warm refuge they can find. In Riviera Beach — a few minutes from the residence — that refuge is the clean, warm water discharged by the Florida Power & Light plant, and on cold mornings dozens of manatees gather there. FPL runs a free education center on the spot, Manatee Lagoon, with a viewing deck built for exactly this. Its official season runs from mid-November through the end of March, and the best days are the mornings right after a cold snap.

Going, and going gently

Admission and parking are free, and the center itself is worth the visit — exhibits, a deck over the water, staff who will point out who is who. Bring a jacket, because the same cold that brings the manatees in makes the deck brisk. Watch from the deck rather than the water; it is against the rules to feed, chase or touch manatees anywhere in Florida, and giving them a calm, hands-off distance is the whole point. Our Manatee Lagoon guide covers hours, the best mornings to go, and what else is nearby to make a half-day of it.