Best Place to See Manatees
Little River Dam
It might not have an Instagram-ready name like Manatee Bend Park or Manatee Lagoon, but if you want to see some sea cows in South Florida, the Little River Dam might just be Miami’s best-kept secret. Situated near NE 82nd Street and NE Fourth Place in the Little River neighborhood, the unassuming spot has quietly become a well-known gathering place for manatees (and the humans who love them). While the mammals roam Florida’s waterways throughout much of the year, they typically seek out warmer waters — such as natural springs and power-plant discharge basins — when temperatures drop. This usually occurs between November and March. “We have seen 50 manatees during a cold snap in Little River!” Amalia Fernandez, an executive assistant at Miami Waterkeeper, previously told New Times.