Lake Dora Boat Tours and Waterfront Visits in Mount Dora

Lake Dora tours board at several locations around Mount Dora, so check your operator’s address before setting out. Premier Boat Tours boards at Lakeside Inn, 100 N Alexander Street; parking is usually available in the inn’s parking area.

Rusty Anchor Boat Tours departs from the docks beside the Mount Dora Yacht Club at 400 W 4th Ave, near the corner of 4th Avenue and McDonald Street. Cat Boat Tour Adventures boards at Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina, 148 Charles Ave; park in the gravel lot at the marina entrance, not inside the marina.

If you are planning time on land as well, 4th Ave Docks has seating and a boat ramp, while Grantham Pointe is a waterfront park with seating and lights. A downtown Mount Dora guide can help you plan the town portion of your day separately from the cruise.

Lake Dora boat tours differ in pace and scale: pontoon trips offer narrated sightseeing, while CatBoats put two people on a guided powered boat.

Premier Boat Tours runs narrated pontoon eco-tours on Lake Dora and the Harris Chain of Lakes, including the Dora Canal. Its tours last 2 hours and commonly feature wildlife such as bald eagles, herons, turtles and alligators.

Pontoon tours with Premier Boat Tours

Premier’s 2-hour Dora Canal trip is the longer narrated option, while its 1-hour sunset Lake Tour focuses on an evening outing on the lake.

Rusty Anchor’s tour choices include a 2-hour Dora Canal tour from $38, a 1-hour shoreline tour from $25, a 30-minute lakefront tour for $15 and 1-hour sunset cruises from $25. Its short lakefront trip passes Boat House Row, Lakeside Inn, the lighthouse and Alligator Cove.

Guided CatBoat outings

Cat Boat Tour Adventures offers a guided 2-hour trip on a two-person powered CatBoat on Lake Dora and the Dora Canal. This smaller-boat format is distinct from the narrated pontoon cruises; its operator runs tours on Wednesday through Sunday.

Tour schedules, fares and reservation rules vary by operator, so confirm the details for your chosen departure before you go. Premier Boat Tours has daily Dora Canal departures at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm for $35 per adult, plus a 1-hour sunset Lake Tour for $24 per adult that leaves 45 minutes before sunset.

Reservations are required; the operator asks visitors to call between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm and says it does not send a captain if nobody has reserved.

Rusty Anchor operates from 10:00 am to sunset. Reservations are necessary and can be made online or by phone; walk-ups may find a tour full. Its cancellation policy allows refunds when you notify staff at least 24 hours in advance, and reservations can also be rescheduled to another date, time or tour.

CatBoat Adventure Tours has Lake Dora and Dora Canal departures at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Monday and Wednesday through Sunday, and is closed Tuesdays. Weekday tours cost $180 per boat, or $170 with advance online purchase; weekend tours cost $195 per boat, or $185 with advance online purchase.

Prices cover up to two people, with tax and fees added. Thursday and Friday sunset tours run from March through October and depart 2 hours before sunset; arrive at least 30 minutes early for orientation.

Check the official site before you go, especially for schedules, fares and reservation requirements. For a day with several stops, a one-day Mount Dora itinerary can help you think through the order of your plans.

Mount Dora’s waterfront parks give you places to sit, walk or picnic around a boat trip. Palm Island Park has a rustic boardwalk, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, seating and kayak rentals, making it the most fully equipped of the listed waterfront parks.

At 4th Ave Docks, seating and a boat ramp provide a waterside stop near the Rusty Anchor departure area. Grantham Pointe offers seating and lights. You can choose a park visit before or after your cruise according to the tour’s departure time.

Rusty Anchor says all its boats can accommodate wheelchairs, with staff bringing the boat level with the dock for boarding. Its larger pontoon boats are covered, and the two larger boats have side curtains for rain. The operator also describes its tours as pet friendly and permits a small cooler with snacks and beverages, including alcohol.

For Rusty Anchor’s large pontoon boat, a small marine toilet is available; the operator recommends using the public restroom at Sunset Park, at the corner of 4th Avenue and Alexander Street, before boarding. CatBoat Adventure Tours says there are no bathroom stops during its 2-hour tour, so plan accordingly.

For a Mount Dora hotel, Budget Lodge Mount Dora is one lodging option in town. Premier Boat Tours has operated eco-tours on Lake Dora and the Dora Canal for more than 30 years, according to the Mount Dora Area Chamber.

How long are Lake Dora boat tours?

Options range from Rusty Anchor’s 30-minute lakefront tour to 2-hour Dora Canal and CatBoat trips. Check the operator’s schedule for the specific outing you plan to take.

Do you need a reservation for a Mount Dora boat tour?

Premier Boat Tours and Rusty Anchor both require reservations. CatBoat Adventure Tours has set departure times; confirm availability and booking requirements with the operator.

Where can you see the Dora Canal by boat?

Premier Boat Tours, Rusty Anchor and CatBoat Adventure Tours all offer trips that include the Dora Canal.