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Lee County Manatee Park, photo 1 of 2

Photo: Visit Fort Myers (Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau) / organiser photo · source

Gardens & wildlife

Lee County Manatee Park

Fort Myers, FL · Southwest Florida$Parking $2 an hour or $5 a day

About

The canal at Lee County's Manatee Park is warmed by cooling water from the Florida Power & Light plant across the street. Manatees come in once Gulf water drops below 68 degrees, whatever the air is doing, so the best months are late December through February. From April to early December there are none. Viewing areas and a boardwalk line the canal. Manatee Kayaking Company rents kayaks from November to April for the Orange River, or you can use the public launch with your own. Parking is $2 an hour or $5 a day, and the park webcam shows the canal before you go.

Highlights

Best late Dec to Feb, Gulf under 68 degreesCanal warmed by the FPL plant across the streetBoardwalk and canal viewing areasKayak rentals Nov to Apr, or launch your ownParking $2 an hour or $5 a dayNo manatees April to early December

Getting there

10901 State Road 80 (Palm Beach Blvd.), Fort Myers, FL 33905

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