They're seasonal business. The colder the weather the more manatees you'll see.
No, they are not always there. At this poin it is pretty rare to see them. They come in towards the FPL plant during the winter when there are more cold fronts. The best time to see them is when there are a few days of 65 and below temps. We have been there in the mornings or afternoons and it doesn't seem to make a huge difference. There is a camera which records what is in the area which is worth checking out before you leave.
It's best to go when temperatures are colder. Those cute little manatees move into the warmer waters near the power plant when it's cold.
We went there January 2020 and many manatees active.
Dec, Jan, Feb, weather doesn't matter, at high tide they are closer to the veiwing platforms, Open Nov 1 to April 15,
You can go at any point and you have to do is look off into the water and ypu will see them and some exotic fish especially now that itvis warm out.
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