Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center recently tripled the size of its viewing platform, allowing the facility to accommodate more visitors seeking an up-close look at the sea creatures.
The larger viewing deck will allow for better traffic flow for guests, TECO spokeswoman Cherie Jacobs said.
The center, which is celebrating its 25th year, reopens Tuesday for the fall and winter.
When the water temperature is 68 degrees or colder, manatees gather in the warm-water discharge canal of TECO's Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach.
Since 1986, more than 3 million visitors have seen the mammals at the 50-acre environmental education facility, TECO said in a news release.
The viewing center was recently awarded the Community Water-Wise Award from Tampa Bay Water for its Florida-friendly landscape design, the news release said. The facility's drought-resistant trees and plants attract native flowers and butterflies while conserving water.
The center is a state and federally designated manatee sanctuary.
TECO is also adding a golf-cart path from its event site to the viewing center, which will increase safety for center visitors, the news release said.
The facility also includes an education area, butterfly gardens, TECO's largest solar panel system, gift shop and cafe.
The center's hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through April 15, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Parking and admission are free. Pets are not allowed, but service dogs are permitted.
The manatee viewing center is at 6990 Dickman Road. For information, go to tampaelectric.com/manatee or call (813) 228-4289.
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