MANATEE SEASON KICKOFF

As the Sunshine State anticipates the return of its favorite marine mammal to local waterways, Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center® kicks off manatee season with a free, family-friendly weekend celebration, complete with a variety of activities, exhibitors and more.

On Saturday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can enjoy free face painting, cornhole and other games. This year’s kick-off theme is safe boating. The first 200 visitors will receive a free waterproof phone pouch with information on how to report a manatee in distress if seen in the wild.

“We hope visitors who come will enjoy themselves and also learn about what’s happening to manatees in the wild,” said Zack Greenberg, manager of Manatee Lagoon. “At Manatee Lagoon, our goal is to inspire people to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations. Manatees are an iconic part of our local ecosystem, and we do what we can to teach people how they can help.”

The goal of Manatee Season Kickoff is to provide the community with a day of family fun while heightening awareness of manatee conservation efforts in our coastal waters. This event will feature environmental exhibitors from the Carter Viss Foundation, Friends of Manatee Lagoon, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Lake Worth Water Keeper, Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management and The Reef Institute.  

Now in its eighth year of manatee education and environmental conservation, Manatee Lagoon is a popular community destination, making it the ideal place for people to learn about these beloved marine mammals. FPL built Manatee Lagoon in 2016 as part of its environmental mission to teach the public about manatees, with a goal of inspiring communities to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations.

In addition to the kickoff event, our center welcomes visitors to explore and enjoy a variety of exhibits and programs this 2024-25 manatee season including:

• New exhibits and experiences: Manatee Lagoon is welcoming a handful of exciting new exhibits and programs, including our Seagrass Nursery exhibit and “Beneath the Surface, Our Connection to Florida’s Manatees” experience.
• Manatee Tales Story Time: Join us every other Saturday for a magical story time experience. Listen as our Manatee Masters read a story about a marine animal, then get creative with our ocean inspired crafts. Space is limited for this program, reserve your child’s spot.
• Sensory Friendly Hour: Experience Manatee Lagoon modified for those with sensory sensitivities. Once a month, we open one hour early with modified lighting, sound, and extra hands-on activities. Advanced registration is required.
• “Lectures at the Lagoon” series: Visitors can enjoy presentations from marine educators, leaders and experts who will speak on a variety of topics, including conservation, local wildlife, boating safety and more. Attendees can register online on the Manatee Lagoon website.
• Public tours: Manatee Masters, our educational docents, guide visitors on walking tours of Manatee Lagoon’s exhibits, providing insight about “all things manatee” and the Lake Worth Lagoon ecosystem. Tours are open to all ages.
• Outdoor yoga: Every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:45 p.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m., adult yoga classes are led by certified instructors against the calming backdrop of Lake Worth Lagoon. Advance online registration is required as space is limited, and the event is weather dependent.

Florida’s manatee season runs from Nov. 15 to March 31, when manatees migrate to warmer waters. When the waters of Lake Worth Lagoon dip to 68 degrees or colder, manatees gather in the clean, warm-water outflows surrounding the FPL Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center, adjacent to Manatee Lagoon.