Most of the information about Manatee Lagoon activities and programs can be found by browsing this website. Here are some additional answers to questions you might have about our facility.
Manatee Lagoon is free to visit and free onsite parking is available. Guests can visit the facility during our regular hours of operation without a reservation. We also offer a variety of free programs available to the public. Some programs require pre-registration, so please be sure to check the website for more information on specific programs you are interested in attending.
Manatee season is Nov. 15 through March 31.
Manatees can be unpredictable, so whether they are in the surrounding waters or not, you should never miss an opportunity to visit Manatee Lagoon to learn about these wondrous creatures regardless!
If the water temperatures drop (especially when we’ve had several days of cold weather) manatees will probably be found in the warm waters near Manatee Lagoon. When planning your visit, consider looking at our online Manatee Cam where you can actually see manatees in the water.
Yes, but we do ask for at least two week’s advance notice of plans so that all guests are provided with the very best visitor experience. Further advance notice may be needed to reserve certain programming. We may ask groups to adjust their plans to help manage visitation and parking levels. To coordinate a group visit outside of a tour or program registration, please contact us.
To register your group for a program, visit the appropriate page listed below to review the availability, as well as the guidelines and to submit a booking request.
At this time we do not have translators or language services available. We can make arrangements for bilingual tour guides on a case-by-case basis.
Although we don’t have a formal volunteer program at Manatee Lagoon, interested parties can reach out to Friends of Manatee Lagoon at this page to find out how to get involved to volunteer support of manatee populations in the Lake Worth Lagoon.
Friends of Manatee Lagoon is a private not-for-profit organization recognized as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. Friends of Manatee Lagoon educates the public and creates awareness about the threatened manatees that are vital to global ecosystems.
No. The Lake Worth Lagoon waterfront of Manatee Lagoon cannot accommodate private watercraft or other vessels, other than the possible use by facility operations and law enforcement personnel on an as-needed basis. There are nearby marinas that can accommodate a variety of watercraft.
Please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert Toll-Free Number at (888) 404-3922. Please remember to never touch or attempt to feed a manatee.
Yes, along with dedicated parking, we have ramp access and all of our exhibits and various amenities are built to ADA standards. We also offer a wheelchair on site for a visitor who makes the request.
Please see directions to the facility.
Manatee Lagoon has recently partnered with other organizations to host a virtual summer camp. We’re exploring future summer camp options. To find the latest updates related to our center’s camp programming, visit our School & Camp Groups page.
Manatee Lagoon is delighted to offer charging stations to visitors on a first-come, first-serve, space-available basis. There are two stations located on the north side of the property.
Yes. The onsite gift store features a wide variety of items. You can also shop online by visiting our online store.
Manatee Lagoon does not allow any pets on the property. We do, however, allow trained service animals on site.
Manatee Lagoon does not serve food, however the gift shop at Manatee Lagoon offers a selection of packaged snack items and beverages for sale. Visitors can bring their own food and drinks to the center, but they must be consumed outside at the picnic areas. Picnic tables are located by the banyan tree and under the shaded solar pavilions along the waterfront. Please note, Manatee Lagoon is not able to store lunches or coolers for visiting groups and for security purposes, large coolers are not permitted in the building and may not be left unattended on site.
For security purposes, luggage, large or rolling backpacks and duffel bags are not permitted at Manatee Lagoon. Unfortunately, the center is not able to provide on-site storage at this time. Please help us keep our center safe for all visitors. Thank you for your understanding.
Thank you for your interest in Manatee Lagoon’s programming. Manatee Lagoon continually evaluates our center’s program offerings in regards to a variety of factors, including visitor interest and our center’s operations. At times, this results in changes to the programs we offer. While some programs are no longer offered and may not return to our lineup, we hope you will check out our current program options on our website and check back for additional offerings that may be added in the future. Thank you for your understanding!
