MANATEE PARK
Facility_info
Address Contact Information Other Information
10901 State Road 80 (Palm Beach Blvd.)
Fort Myers, FL
33905
(239) 690-5030
 Deb Honnen
(239) 690-5030
dhonnen@leegov.com

Programs
Free Guided Walks
Aerial Picture
Regional Parks Map
Shelter Rentals
Kayak Rental Information
Download Facility Brochure
Park Overview Map (1024 X 768)
Panoramic View
Service Animal Policy
Manatee Activity Workbook
Manatee Park Bingo
Manatee Anatomy Facts
Butterflies of Lee County
Interpretive Fish ID Cards
Directions Staff Events
Google Map/Directions Staff allocated to facility's budget Events Calendar
Hours
 

MANATEE UPDATE, April/May 2013 : A rare sighting of a manatee is possible during April and May. Manatees generally visit the park November thru March. The Florida manatees live along the coast of Florida and generally visit the park when the gulf temperatures dip below 68 degrees. Manatee Park is a non-captive refuge, therefore they are free to come and go as they please. Please visit Manatee Park and learn about our gentle giants. As a reminder no dogs are allowed in the park.
PARK HOURS (year round) 8:00am to sunset daily

Hours for the month of May are 9:00am - 1:00pm weekends only. www.calusabluewayoutfitters.com.

As of June 2009 Commercial Tour Operators must pay $5.00 launch fee per boat at the Gift Shop, per contract #IW090221 approved by B.O.C.C. 6/2009. For further information please call: 239-481-4600 or 239-229-0680.

Parking Fees apply: December 1st - April 30th $2.00 per hour or maximum of $5.00 per vehicle, per day. May 1st - November 30th $1.00 per hour or maximum $5.00 per vehicle, per day.

Parking fee:
$20.00 per tour bus per visit
$10.00 per tour van per visit

Shelter Rentals:
Chickee,amphitheater, and pavilion rentals available MAY through OCTOBER on Saturdays and Sundays only at $50.00 per day, and may be reserved in advance with 72 hours notice by calling Ben Johnson at 239-707-1885 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (if no answer leave a message, and he will return your call asap).

Information
  Optimum viewing times are between the months of November and March due to the cooler gulf temperature. Manatee Park is a non-captive refuge for the Florida Manatee. Manatees are generally not present during the warm summer months. The park has an extensive butterfly garden. The park is a demonstration landscape for the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) program. Picnic areas & shelters, fishing pier on the Orange River. Canoe/kayak launch to the Orange River. Program amphitheater and playground.

Driving Directions: Take I-75 to exit 141. Go east 1 1/4 miles. The park is on the right (directly across the street from the FPL Power Plant). See program listing for details on seasonal offerings.

Fully accessible - NO pets.

Notice: BEGINNING AUGUST 1, 2009, A SALTWATER FISHING LICENSE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS WHO FISH FROM THE FISHING PIER. Read more here.

Group Program Requests: 239-690-5030
History
  Opened in 1996, this 17 acre Regional Park is built and operated through a cooperative effort of partners & sponsors. While the land is owned by Florida Power & Light, the facilities were originaly funded by Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Seasonal staffing is provided by Lee County Parks & Recreation. Native plant habitats and gardens have been planted and maintained by the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and many volunteers.

Lee County residents provide visitor services as Volunteer Interpretive Naturalists trained in part by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. While small in size, Lee County Manatee Park provides information and programming for over 150,000 visitors annually.