Manatee Lagoon
Manatee Lagoon is accessed by first passing over a shaded walkway, which runs alongside the manatee pool:
The walkway spans the entire length of the manatee pool and provides a good view out onto the water's surface:
It can be quite difficult to view the manatees from the walkway, unless they break the water's surface and reveal themselves. For the best view of the manatees, you will need to head downstairs, which is where you'll find an underwater viewing area:
The walkway is very spacious and conveniently shaded from the sun, resulting in some very comfortable viewing:
Heading down a set of stairs, you are guided towards an underwater viewing area:
Signage Example
Signs like these are present throughout the entire park. This particular sign directs you towards underwater viewing areas:
Manatee Lagoon - Underwater Viewing Area
Manatee Lagoon features a large viewing area. Five tall acrylic viewing windows span the length of the pool, giving you an impressive view of the manatees underwater:
The exhibit features a very naturalistic appearance; a wall of limestone rocks forms a backdrop, dead logs are aplenty, and there are large tree roots protruding from the water's surface, which the manatees often enjoy swimming through. The manatees also share their exhibit with a large number of Florida gars. There are at least 10 gars in the photo below, and countless others out of shot:
The pool is home to three adult manatees (one male, and two females). These are not rescued individuals; all three were sourced from other aquatic establishments, including SeaWorld Orlando. WaterWorld does not currently posses any marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation facilities but may acquire some in the future:
The manatee pool is reportedly 21,400 US gallons in volume:
The manatees often enjoy swimming together in tandem, as in the photograph below:
WaterWorld's only male manatee, Marcus, is 16 years old and was sourced from SeaWorld Orlando:
Manatee Lagoon and Surrounding Areas
Manatee Lagoon is surrounded by beautiful subtropical landscaping:
It is also possible to view Manatee Lagoon from outside Tropical Waterways. There is a path that runs directly from the entrance and passes alongside the manatee pool. This path eventually leads towards Seal Coasts:
Viewing Manatee Lagoon from outside Tropical Waterways:
Manatee Lagoon - Overview
This overhead photograph demonstrates the layout of Manatee Lagoon. The freshwater aviary can be seen on the left, and the otter exhibit can be seen on the right:
