Manatee County is blessed with diverse and abundant recreational environments, both on the Gulf of Mexico and inland. Visit these pages and links to learn about their locations, trademark features and amenities, and regulations for their use. Parks, Beaches, Piers, and Boat Ramps These links will help you find places to enjoy Manatee County's waterways and natural places. Recreational Water Quality Beach Conditions Report – Mote Marine Laboratory Blue-Green Algae Bloom Dashboard – Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection Florida Healthy Beaches – Manatee County – Florida Dept. of Health Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast Map – Gulf Coast Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) Red Tide Current Status – Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Boat Ramps, Blueways and Piers FWC Boat Ramp Finder – Interactive map showing public and private ramps FWC Fishing Pier Finder – Statewide Interactive Map Manatee County Artificial Reefs Paddle Manatee – Online canoeing/kayaking guide Upper Manatee River Paddling Guide Parks, Preserves, Trails, and Beaches Coastal Access Guide: Manatee County De Soto National Memorial Flatford Swamp Preserve Lake Manatee State Park Longboat Key Beach Access Locations Manatee County Parks, Preserves & Beaches Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Conditions Reporting System Myakka River State Park Preserves of Manatee County featuring Emerson Point Preserve Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve Terra Ceia Preserve State Park Submit a suggestion for a document or link Recreational and Boater's Resource Guides Information to help boaters enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly: Boating Safety & Education Boating, Waterways and the Rights of Navigation in Florida NOAA Raster Chart Products - Includes free downloadable BookletCharts Abandoned Fishing Gear: Wildlife Killer NOAA Tides & Currents - Florida Saltwater Tides - Tampa Bay Sites Seagrass Safe Boating in Sarasota Bay Tips for viewing wildlife and protecting wildlife habitat: A Boater's Guide to Living with Florida Manatees A Coastal Living Guide to Sea Turtles A Guide to Living with Alligators Beach Furniture and Other Obstacles Threaten Turtles Catch-and-Release: Things You Can Do to Help Saltwater Fish Survive How to View Wildlife Manual of Best Practices for Safeguarding Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Maps of Sarasota County and Manatee County Manatee Protection Zones Marine Life Viewing Guidelines What to Do If You Hook a Pelican Fishing Regulations For information about fishing regulations and licenses in Florida, visit these websites: Fishing Lines Field Guide – FWC Florida Fishing & Hunting Licenses Florida Freshwater Fishing – Recreational & Commercial Florida Friendly Angler Training and Certification Florida Saltwater Fishing – Recreational & Commercial Shellfish Harvesting Area Information
