Nestled in Central Florida, Mount Dora is famous for its rolling hills, antique shops, and scenic Lake Dora—a tranquil body of water that forms part of the Harris Chain of Lakes. Long before the town became a hub for art festivals and small-town charm, its lakefront was home to fishermen, steamboat captains, and early settlers who relied on the water for transport and trade.
Mount Dora’s first settlers in the late 1800s found the lake’s calm waters ideal for small boats and canoes. When tourism boomed in the early 20th century, the area attracted visitors seeking peaceful escapes from bustling cities.
Kayak tours in Mount Dora began to gain popularity in the late 20th century as eco-tourism took root. These tours typically explored Dora Canal, a narrow, tree-lined waterway connecting Lake Dora to Lake Eustis. The canal’s towering cypress trees, Spanish moss, and abundant wildlife—herons, otters, and alligators—created an atmosphere of timeless natural beauty.
What makes Mount Dora’s kayak experience unique is its blend of history and serenity. Paddlers glide along the same waters that once carried citrus shipments and steamboats, tracing a living link between Florida’s past and present. shutdown123