What they do for sea turtles is an amazing thing. It truly is a hidden educational gem. The…read moreexperience is totally worth the short wait for a complimentary shuttle from the overflow parking lot of the Manatee Viewing Center. Not many people know about the care that is given here to rehabilitate sea turtles from all over the country. There were a little over 30 cold stunned sea turtles on the day that we visited in February. Some were even shipped from as far as Massachusetts. There were a couple of Loggerhead and Kemp's Ridley, but mostly Green sea turtles. All of which are endangered. You'll see the injured sea turtles in various stages of rehabilitation. Some were in warming pools while others were in what they call deep-dive foraging tanks. They have to show that they can forage for food before being released back to their home. It was quite the experience to see them being treated from a viewing window outside of the veterinary hospital part of the facility. They looked to be very well cared for at all times. It's an amazing thing! They have partnerships with TECO and various companies, just like the Manatee Viewing Center. It's also a free activity. However, please consider making a donation. I read that it can cost up to $15,000 to rehab a single turtle. I believe that also includes the monitoring of released turtles through a satellite tag tracking system. There's so much to say, but each visit is a unique experience. You never know what you may encounter. Don't miss it.

I can't explain the degree of happiness I felt yesterday learning about The Florida Aquarium Sea…read moreTurtle Rehabilitation. This is Not at the Tampa location downtown. This is in Apollo Beach next to the Manatee Viewing Center. So imagine a day filled with manatee and sea turtles, and all the sea life, and nature in between. You can't drive here per se. You simply take a golf cart from the back up second lot at the Manatee Viewing Center. Best part, this is free! 34 Sea Turtles were here when we visited yesterday. They all came from the same location. They were in the northeast and were cold stunned, so they were exposed to the cold water for too long and needed to recover. The turtle rehab becomes their home so they can get better, & eventually be released back at their home. Once you walk up the stairs, there are several areas. My experience was seeing the first couple of the bigger sea turtles that you see through the glass. They are so cute and they smile and wave to you through the glass. I then saw two smaller sea turtles. They swim around the water. The next area shows graphics about their food and what they eat, as well as their sizes depending on the type of turtle they are. The next glass will be about sea urchins, and a science lab. I didn't see too much here, but someone was working very hard. The next glass area will be the lab and the water quality. This is an area they bring the turtles to. I saw them weighing the turtle in this area and it did not even move. The next area is the vet lab for the turtles. They get examined here. They had a laser treatment for a turtle and an X-ray when I was there. You see the love they have for these turtles as they interact and care for them. Lastly, there is a bigger aquarium with a big number of separate crate cages. Turtles, I learned can be territorial. They are separated. In this aquarium, they feed them separately. The depth is much deeper simulating how deep they go in the ocean. They want to make sure they are well to be able to swim so deep before they are released. This was a very meaningful visit besides learning more about them. I'm happy they have this here. It was built in 2019, and it seems just in the few years, or even more recently have been when the tours have been more active. I can't believe I never knew about this. That's why I am just so happy after this new found visit. This campus area is huge - 10 acres. They also have a coral conservation area they is not open to public yet. There are two other buildings, one for many school children activities that correlate all that is involved here and in the environment. There's another building not open to the public I believe. Check out their website attached to this profile, they have so much. What a great visit!! Def a day trip can be made here in Apollo Beach at the Manatee Viewing Center, Sea Turtle Rehab, and even close by at the nearby Apollo Beach Nature Preserve. You also rent kayaks!

Had a fantastic visit to the manatee viewing area near Tampa. This is such a unique and peaceful…read morespot where you can actually get close views of manatees in their natural environment, especially when the water is cooler and they come in to warm up. The viewing area is well maintained with easy walkways and good spots to stop and watch without feeling crowded. It is calm, relaxing, and a great place to just slow down and take in nature. We were able to pet a few stingrays but not see any manatees. There are also helpful signs and information that explain the manatees and the area, which makes it even more interesting. It is a great place for families, tourists, or anyone who just wants a quiet nature break around Tampa. Overall, a super memorable and peaceful experience. Easy 5 stars and definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.

Took a trip out to the Manatee viewing center while we were in the area. This is a free…read moreexperience, if you're looking for something to do outside, and enjoy with family/kids. The parking lot is a bit small, but if you're lucky you can find a spot in the main lot, otherwise, you have to go down the road to another lot where they shuttle you to the viewing center. They have a small interior space with lots of educational and fun info to learn about the manatees and other creatures living in the area. They also have a small cafe to grab snacks at. The weather on our visit, was nice, but a bit cold, so I think it helped keep some of the crowds away. The water was a bit murky, i think due to the recent tide change, but still always fun to see them a little bit up close, but still in the wild, just doing their thing , and enjoying the warm waters near the power plant. a definite fun, free spot to check out if you're looking for something to do

Beer can island is awesome! It's one of the primary reasons why we moved to Apollo Beach. The…read moreisland is 1.5 miles off of my boat dock and our kids love going there and hunting starfish and shells. It's more fun on the weekends but also more crowd. Dozens and dozens of boats will beach and anchor there put up tents and umbrellas and barbecue and just basically hang out. Rumor is beer can Island is privately owned and the person who owns it doesn't care if you party there. We have actually camped out there with campfire several times overnight. Labor Day, Fourth of July, Father's Day, and other weekends holidays are very popular. If you want to get a spot for your boat on one of these holidays I suggest showing up very early like eight or 9 AM. On the south east side of the island is a small cove with Deepwater where we pull up on our 32 foot express. We can basically beach the boat in that spot and still have plenty of water for the engines. When you're waiting around on the sandbar be sure to do the "stingray shuffle". Scoot your feet as you walk it's cooler to stingray to get out of your way so he won't step on them.

Nice days get away. Small but work in progress. Will be interesting to see how it progresses.read more

A very complete park, with splash pad equipped with a gate, and shaded benches, a waking trail, an…read moreexercise area, two play grounds, swings, volley ball and basketball court. They even have an amazing community garden on grounds! Definitely a must see.

A really nice park with all kinds of activities. It is also the site of early voting and election…read moreday voting and this site is my base responsibilty. Couldn't be happier, nothing like going to work in a park

My baby loves the playground, she doesn't walk yet but she can crawl up the stairs and go down the…read moreslide without getting stuck. I really like coming to this park it's very nice and quiet.

This park is great for adults and kids offering a skate park and basketball court for the community…read moreand 2 playgrounds for the little to run around its nicely shaded and for a bonus they have a splash pad! This was my second visit and both visits have been wonderful and we always meet super nice people. They do have bathrooms are the recreation center to change after the splash pad and 1 vending machine. Overall I think they take very good care of this park and it's definitely a family friendly fun place to visit.

Went here recently, nice little mini beach. Sat for awhile, watched the boats, overhead planes, and…read morepeople. Got my groove on. $2 entrance fee not bad. Plenty of parking. They also have some trails to walk nearby , and a park. Opens up to the bay eith a great view from the beach and lets you get your "chill" on! Very relaxing

Beautiful place. There are little picnic areas. A nice little beach and trails. You can sit there…read moreall day and look out on the bay.

Cool place to take your kids. We went after eating at a local restaurant. Clean bathrooms and…read morefriendly staff. Maria actually offered us some info on youth basketball. It was filled with people. Young and older playing basketball. Kids playing in the playground.

This recreational center has grown immensely in the last 10years since I first moved down to south…read morecounty. They have a outdoor track, and now added a baseball field & soccer fields. This recreation center has been the only place where kids could come and have a playground or any sort of organized activities. They have the only remaining Tiny Tot program for 3/4 kids since Apollo Beach discontinued it some years ago. The playground has been expanded and combined to a single mulched area now fenced to keep out the stray dogs of the past and the modern new indoor gym for basketball leagues also. Many programs offered range from preschool to senior level. They offer basketball leagues for seniors, teens, youth, and yoga available as well as weight room and after school camps.

The moneys been put in the box at the booth, it's five bucks and The Honor System is used - thena…read moreseries of slow winding snake turns up the next half mile past the canoe launch and into the parking lot & picnic area where there's also a little playground set up for screaming kids. Last week we explored to the East, logic dictates we head West because there's more land, more trails and a brisk twenty minutes in, past the equestrian area and I had wished I brought my compass . So I looked to the sun, it was my nearing 9:45AM so I made a quick little sundial and determined my bearings, keeping the rays at my right shoulder, a tall pine in the distance for extra measure. So quickly the terrain can change from soft and slow white sand to fast packed non-silty soil to brown and boggy muddy to green and lush all within a stones throw in any direction. Know this friends - you'll be given no help from signage - only arrows , there are numbers from 15 to 3 - yet, not telling ya anything at all - no maps at the gate, nobody in the booth at the gate - nobody official looking around, so be aware of that if you want to see beyond the next turn. Getting turned around is easier than going straight towards the trails end. I assumed that the 15 I saw, then the 7 I saw then the 3&4 means I'd be on a cylindrical circumnavigation - looping back to the pavement that takes you in and separated the two very different sides of the park. We came up on Dude Lake and here in this primitive shallow shored lake - along with birds, turtles are sounds unique to my ears, movements in the brush that have the dogs diving into and thrashing within - only to pop out from the other side dumbfounded and disappointed. There are things that are unseen underneath - human penetration is virtually impossible without damaging the plants, vines and thick green entanglements. I believe these are small creatures, whatever they are but emit the most beautiful sounds, whatever they are.

Nice area to go camping. The rangers explained where to go and bathroom has easy access to find.read more

I tried a Groupon for this Southshore Bay Lagoon experience - and it was decent/average…read more There's a ton to do for kids here - a big splash pad/mini pool area and an obstacle course where you are required to wear a life vest, and you can jump off these big inflatable obstacles. There is a swim up bar for adults - but it sadly was not open during our time here, and they didn't really give us any notice of it being closed (nobody had a sign saying this or came down to tell any of us). There is a fast food truck outside the pool and a bar upstairs (expensive drinks but to be expected). The adult pool area in the lagoon is a smaller size as the obstacle course takes up a majority of the pool. Overall, if you have a Groupon and are in the area, I think it's worth a visit, but if you're not in the area, I wouldn't travel really far for it.

The lagoon and property are gorgeous. Clean water clean facilities the private cabanas and all the…read moreVIP rental areas are very nice. Both bars and every drink we had was delicious. The one food truck that was open had great burgers and fries and hot dogs. My complaint and the reason for my less than stellar review is because they were severely understaffed. I understand it's a weird time after season and not quite summer but they didn't have enough staff to open the ice cream truck, or run multiple rides. While there is a posted schedule saying that they will alternate obstacle cores with kayaks and the bumper boats, after we waited in line for the bumper boats the attendant only ran four people and then said, "I only have four working boats so I'm just going to shut this down". Unfortunately the group of five kids I was with was next and they were still 15 plus people after us. Literally the only complaint is the staffing. The cotton candy machine was down, the ice cream truck never opened, and the attraction rotation didn't follow the schedule and that's the reason why it's only a two out of five star for me. It just made it extra difficult to entertain kids when so much of the stuff to entertain them was not accessible.

This isn't just a beach ride--it's a beautiful, ethical experience with rescue horses who truly…read morelove what they do. We had an absolutely incredible experience with C Ponies, and I can't recommend them enough--especially if you're looking for something unique, meaningful, and truly unforgettable. What makes this experience so special goes far beyond just "riding horses on the beach." These are rescue horses--many of them coming from difficult or neglectful situations--and C Ponies has created something really beautiful by giving them a second chance at life. You can feel how deeply loved and well cared for these horses are. They are healthy, happy, and genuinely seem to enjoy their work. One of the most fascinating parts was learning that the water is actually healing for them. Being in the ocean supports their joints and overall wellness, so this experience isn't just fun for us--it's beneficial for them, too. That alignment made the entire experience feel even more special and ethical. Our guide, Raina, was fantastic. She had the perfect mix of humor (yes, some delightfully corny jokes), warmth, and knowledge. More importantly, you could tell she truly loves these horses and what she does. She made everyone feel comfortable, safe, and engaged the entire time. Walking the horses into the water--and even getting to experience them swimming--was surreal. Each horse had its own personality, which made it even more fun. You could tell they were relaxed, confident, and happy to be there. It didn't feel forced or transactional--it felt like a partnership between humans and animals. Living in Sarasota, it also meant a lot to support a business that is doing such meaningful work in our own SW Florida community. C Ponies is not only creating unforgettable experiences, but they are actively rescuing, rehabilitating, and giving these horses a life filled with purpose and care. If you're on the fence--book it. It's one of those rare experiences that stays with you long after it's over.

Absolutely exceeded our expectations! Raina was an amazing guide, full of tons of information…read moreabout the bay, history of the ponies and nuances of each pony to better assist each rider. Would highly recommend! This is an experience you'll never forget. Thanks to Raina, Coral, Dori and Snooki.