Some places feel like a secret whispered by nature. Tucked away in Apollo Beach, a quiet marvel unfolds each winter—where steam meets the sea and giants glide gently beneath the surface.
Each year, manatees—those massive, slow-moving icons of marine serenity—drift toward the Tampa Electric’s Big Bend Power Station, drawn not by force, but by warm water. This isn’t just a mechanical byproduct; it’s a haven. The station pumps seawater in for cooling, then releases it—clean and comfortably heated—back into Tampa Bay, creating a sanctuary for these “sea cows” seeking refuge from the cold.
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