Manatee season kickoff event, Riviera Beach

If you haven't been to Manatee Lagoon in a while, here's the perfect time to visit. The FPL Eco-Discovery Center will celebrate the start of manatee season with a free, family-friendly kickoff event on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Take the whole family to enjoy face painting, scavenger hunts, marine-themed vendors and a free frozen treat, plus there will be a free gift for the first 400 visitors while supplies last. The event also will showcase new exhibits and programs, including three life-sized manatee statues, a seagrass exhibit and a Florida mangroves exhibit.

The facility was built in 2016 as part of FPL's environmental mission to teach the public about manatees. It includes interactive educational exhibits, solar trees and opportunities for selfies are featured at this waterfront attraction in Riviera Beach. Entry to Manatee Lagoon is free. Parking is also free.

Manatee Lagoon, an FPL Eco-Discovery Center exhibit in Riviera Beach.

As you will see, manatees occasionally hang out in the warm water discharge from the FPL power facility, especially in winter, and the facility includes a deck for watching them, and webcams for watching them online.

Credit: Manatee Lagoon, an FPL Eco-Discovery Center, Riviera Beach

In Florida, manatee season begins on Nov. 15 and runs through March 31. The attraction is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the season but closed on Mondays from April 1 to Nov. 14. For more information call 561-626-2833 or visit visitmanateelagoon.com.

Photo credit: Manatee Lagoon

Manatee Lagoon is at 6000 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach.

Manatee Lagoon includes the following:

Interactive educational exhibits
Augmented reality 3D animated solar tree exhibit
Lagoon-side presentations focusing on information about manatees, usually at 2 p.m.
Waterfront deck overlooking Lake Worth Lagoon with opportunities to watch wildlife, including manatees usually during winter
Picnic area
Gift shop
Wonderlands of the Lake Worth Lagoon Watershed photo exhibit from Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management
Live webcam

Public Walking Tours are offered daily at 2 p.m., except the 1st Sunday of each month during the season.

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