manatee observation & education center

kitkatldj

Not much there but we did see a mother and baby!Very nice people. Had a good visit. We would go back.

NPTRSC

The manatees were in the bay where the cool water comes in. Probably 20 of them all together. They hung around for a good while, sometimes peaking their heads out of the water. We then went into the Education Center to learn more. The staff were very helpful, explaining about the teeth, brain, etc. and answering many questions we had.

DennisM864

a few aquariums, some displays, a short video, you are in and out in 30 minutes. Was expecting to see more. But at $1 admission, can't really complain. I would likely not return with our next house guests.

miacapretta

We enjoyed our visit to this small, but informative education center. The staff was knowledgeable and the video about manatees gave a us a new appreciation for these "sea cows"!

WendyD393

The center is very small. Displays are dated. Just a quick spot to gather some information. No guarantee to see Manatees in this location.

902donj

Went here to see what it was about. $1.00 to see the education center and learn a lot about Manatee's and other sea life of the area. When walking in people were talking about the Manatees they had seen. After visiting the center we once again went out to the water and after a few minutes we saw 3 Manatee's coming down the channel. Very neat to see.

margej2013

For the price of 1.00 you can check out the education center which is small but perfect for children to find out about manatees and other Florida wildlife. There are a few fish tanks, touch tank and a nice video about manatees. The outside viewing area is free and we were lucky and saw three manatees heading to the open water. Sometimes you see them, sometimes you don't. A good way to spend an hour and only pay 1.00.

acedaughter

Small museum. Film about manatees was good. Other exhibits were not that spectacular. No manatees to be seen outside.

Veneto8

This is nice little museum and gift shop in an area where manatees often come to escape the cold. No guarantees that you'll see a manatee. We've visited a number of times over the years and sometimes there are manatees and sometimes there aren't. The museum has a lot of interesting information and the gift shop sells a variety of items that make a nice memento of a trip to Florida. The volunteers are friendly and helpful and the view from the observation area and the parking lot is very nice as it looks out on the Ft. Pierce inlet and a marina.

allforuamber

It was ok not super exciting for us but I think families with younger kids might enjoy it more. It was small, but clean and the view outside was nice. When we went there was some trash and debris in the water. Not the best coditions for animals or observation.

cnyrealtor

There were a few manatee in the marina but the water was so murky you couldn't see them until they surfaced. Go to Apollo Beach on the Gulf side if you want to see manatee!

blandboy

Been here a couple of times. It really isn't much. You can learn the same things online and I've never seen a manatee here. Go to Round Island on North Hutchinson Island instead. You'll likely see a manatee there from atop the bridge.

Emptynester3395

The center offers visitors a thorough education about manatees and has a gift shop to pick up manatee related gifts and support local preservation efforts. On the morning we visited, we were fortunate enough to see roughly six adult manatees in the marina just outside the visitor center. The vegetation along the canal and the warmer inland water attracts them so be sure and look for them if you visit.

bandora

There is never a guarantee that you'll see a manatee but it's free to find out. We were rewarded on our last visit with seeing 3 manatees, the water is very murky so we had to wait for them to come to the surface sporadically. The interior of the center is small but admission is a steal at only $1, you don't need to pay admission to see the manatees so the inside would not be of interest to most people. As homeschoolers, this is a nice and affordable field trip.

jdkerr44

The manatees are there if you have patience. You don't see much for there is very little room for them to bask in the sun and the water if relatively murky. But they are there, and there was no cost to just relax and watch them playing.