Mount Dora Has a Jungle. You Just Have to Get on a Boat to Find It.
Mount Dora Has a Jungle. You Just Have to Get on a Boat to Find It.
Discover the Dora Canal, the cypress-lined waterway known as “the most beautiful mile of water in the world,” where towering trees, abundant wildlife and remarkable history offer a journey into Old Florida.
Just a short boat ride from downtown Mount Dora, there's a stretch of water where Florida looks remarkably similar to how it did centuries ago.
The Dora Canal connects Lake Dora and Lake Eustis, winding beneath a canopy of enormous cypress trees and Spanish moss. Alligators, turtles, herons, egrets and ospreys inhabit the surrounding wetlands, making the journey an opportunity to experience Florida's natural beauty and wildlife up close.
And although the canal feels remarkably untouched, its history tells another story.
From Steamboats to Sightseeing
Long before it became a destination for sightseeing cruises, the Dora Canal was known as the Elfin River.
In 1882, the waterway was enlarged to accommodate steamboats carrying passengers and goods through the Harris Chain of Lakes. What was once an important transportation route eventually became one of Lake County's most recognizable natural attractions.
Today, the canal's appeal lies in its scenery and wildlife. Cypress trees rise directly from the water, their sprawling roots and branches creating an almost tunnel-like passage. Around every bend, there's another opportunity to spot a bird perched overhead, a turtle sunning itself or an alligator resting along the shoreline.
And while the canal is just over a mile long, the journey to reach it is part of the experience.
Three Ways to Experience the Dora Canal
Premier Boat Tours
For a narrated sightseeing experience, Chamber member Premier Boat Tours offers two-hour Dora Canal cruises departing from the historic Lakeside Inn. Passengers travel aboard covered pontoon boats while knowledgeable captains and crew share the area's history and point out native wildlife, including bald eagles, herons and alligators.
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Rusty Anchor
Another Chamber member, Rusty Anchor, offers a variety of cruises, including its popular two-hour Dora Canal tour. The journey takes guests past Mount Dora's historic Boathouse Row, along the shoreline of Lake Dora and through the canal to Lake Eustis before returning. The company also offers private cruises and longer excursions that incorporate a waterfront dining stop.
CatBoat Adventures
For visitors who would rather take the helm, Chamber member CatBoat Adventures offers a completely different experience. Guests drive their own two-person powered catamarans on a guided, narrated excursion across Lake Dora and through the canal. No previous boating experience is necessary, and the two-hour adventure departs from the Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina, just a block from downtown.
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A Different Side of Mount Dora
Whether you're visiting for the first time or have lived in the area for years, the Dora Canal offers a perspective on Mount Dora that you simply can't get from downtown.
The return trip across Lake Dora brings the city's familiar waterfront back into view, from its historic buildings to its distinctive lighthouse. After spending time beneath the canal's ancient trees, even familiar surroundings can feel a little different.
And with three local tour operators offering their own ways to explore the waterway, discovering Mount Dora's jungle is easier than you might think.
