One of the best ways to experience Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis is from the water. Lake Dora, the Dora Canal and the Harris Chain of Lakes offer everything from relaxing narrated cruises to kayaking, pontoon rentals, seaplane rides and adventures where you actually get to drive the boat.
The question isn't whether there is something to do. It's which experience fits the kind of day you're planning.
Use this guide to compare some of the area's local tour and rental options, then check directly with the operator for current schedules, availability and pricing before heading out.
Last updated: August 2026
Which Experience Should You Choose?
| Experience | Location | Type | Good Choice If You Want... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rusty Anchor Boat Tours | Mount Dora | Guided boat tour | A narrated cruise through Lake Dora and the Dora Canal |
| Premier Boat Tours | Mount Dora | Guided boat tour | A classic Dora Canal sightseeing experience |
| Dora Queen | Tavares | Paddlewheel cruise | A leisurely cruise with room to sit back and relax |
| CatBoat Adventure Tours | Mount Dora | Drive-your-own guided tour | Something more adventurous and interactive |
| Adventure Outdoor Paddle | Tavares | Kayak / paddle | To get closer to the water and explore under your own power |
| Lake Adventures | Eustis | Pontoon rental | To explore the Harris Chain on your own schedule |
| Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures | Tavares | Seaplane | To see Lake County from a completely different perspective |
Guided Boat Tours & Cruises
If you want to enjoy the lakes without having to operate the boat yourself, start with one of the area's guided cruises.
Rusty Anchor Boat Tours
Rusty Anchor offers guided cruises from Mount Dora with options that include the Dora Canal, Lake Dora shoreline and sunset experiences.
The Dora Canal is one of the area's signature boating experiences, with a narrow, tree-lined waterway connecting Lake Dora and Lake Eustis.
Good choice for: first-time visitors, scenery and a classic Mount Dora lake experience.
View Rusty Anchor ToursPremier Boat Tours
Premier Boat Tours operates from the Lakeside Inn area and offers sightseeing trips on Lake Dora and through the Dora Canal.
This is another option to compare if seeing the Dora Canal is high on your Mount Dora list.
Good choice for: narrated sightseeing, nature and a traditional canal cruise.
View Premier Boat Tours
Dora Queen
The Dora Queen is a New Orleans-style paddlewheel boat that cruises the Harris Chain from Tavares.
This experience is more about relaxing on the water than actively exploring it, making it a different choice from kayaking, pontoon rentals or CatBoats.
Good choice for: a relaxing outing, couples, groups and visitors who want to sit back and enjoy the lake.
View Dora Queen CruisesFor Something More Adventurous
CatBoat Adventure Tours
CatBoat Adventure Tours combines a guided lake tour with the fun of operating your own two-person powered CatBoat.
You travel with the group and guide, so it provides more independence and excitement than a traditional sightseeing cruise without simply sending you out on the lake alone.
Good choice for: couples, adventure seekers and anyone who wants to do more than sit on a tour boat.
Explore CatBoat Tours
Adventure Outdoor Paddle
Adventure Outdoor Paddle offers another way to experience Lake Dora, Lake Eustis and the Dora Canal area from much closer to the water.
Paddling gives you a slower and more active experience than a motorized cruise and can be a great way to enjoy the natural side of the Harris Chain.
Good choice for: active outings, nature lovers and visitors who would rather paddle than cruise.
Explore Paddle OptionsExplore the Harris Chain on Your Own
Lake Adventures Pontoon Boat Rental
If you'd rather make your own itinerary, Lake Adventures offers pontoon rentals for exploring the Harris Chain of Lakes.
A rental gives you the flexibility to cruise, stop for lunch or simply spend the day on the water without following a tour schedule.
Good choice for: experienced boaters, groups and anyone wanting a full lake day on their own schedule.
View Pontoon RentalsSee Lake County From the Air
Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures
Tavares is known for its seaplane base, and Jones Brothers offers a completely different way to experience the lakes by viewing them from above.
From the air, the sheer number of lakes throughout Lake County becomes much easier to appreciate.
Good choice for: special occasions, aviation fans and anyone looking for a memorable Lake County experience.
Explore Seaplane AdventuresWhy So Many Activities Are on the Harris Chain
Lake Dora, Lake Eustis and the Dora Canal are part of the larger Harris Chain of Lakes, a connected system of waterways that plays a major role in outdoor life around Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis.
That connection is what makes it possible to cruise from one community to another by water and gives local boat tours, rentals and waterfront restaurants so many different routes to explore.
If you want to understand how the lakes connect, visit our Harris Chain of Lakes Guide.
Make a Day of It
A lake tour doesn't have to be the whole itinerary. Pair your activity with a meal, local event or another stop around Mount Dora, Tavares or Eustis.
More Ways to Get Outside
Not every outdoor day needs to involve a ticket or a boat. There are also parks, hiking areas, preserves and other outdoor activities around Mount Dora and Lake County.