Top 1% of guest reviews in this areaTop 1% of guest reviews in this area
Highlights
Made for relaxation
Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
Firepit available
One of the few properties with a dedicated outdoor firepit.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Discover nearby landmarks
Walk to Lake Dora
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Garage parking available
Kitchen
Washer
Air conditioning
Barbecue grill
Deck or patio
Explore the area
Tavares, FL
Lake Dora
Place, Lake Dora
11 min walk
Lake County Historical Museum
Place, Lake County Historical Museum
15 min walk
Dora Canal Plaza Shopping Center
Place, Dora Canal Plaza Shopping Center
15 min walk
Orlando, FL (SFB-Orlando Sanford Intl.)
Airport, Orlando, FL (SFB-Orlando Sanford Intl.)
54 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
Guest Bedroom
1 Queen Bed
Guest Bedroom 2
2 Twin Beds
Primary Bedroom
1 King Bed
2 bathrooms
Ensuite Bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Guest Bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area
About this property
Boaters Paradise on the Dora Canal w/Kayaks, Dock & Pontoon Boat Rental
Conveniently located on the scenic Dora Canal, a mile long waterway connecting Lake Dora and Lake Eustis, situated on the Harris Chain of Lakes which is comprised of 8 primary lakes (Apopka, Harris, Griffin, Eustis, Dora, Beauclair, Carlton and Yale) and offers excellent fishing opportunities for all anglers. Boating, kayak and paddle board enthusiasts can enjoy riding down the picturesque Dora Canal, taking in all the natural beauty and seeing the local wildlife (birds, alligators, turtles and even an occasional otter or two). You can book an Eco-Tour with Rusty Anchor Boat Tours, Premier Boat Tours, Catboat Adventure Tour (where you can enjoy driving your own 2 person catboat) or visit Adventure Outdoor Paddle to explore Lake Dora and the Dora Canal by kayak, standup paddle board or hydro bike. If you're really adventurous and want to experience things from a birds eye view, visit Jones Brothers & Co Air and Seaplane Adventures for fantastic tours and excursions - you won't be disappointed! The Dora Canal Cottage is just minutes from downtown Tavares (also known as America's Seaplane City) & beautiful Mount Dora (often referred to as Someplace Special), both of which host events, concerts and festivals year round. This 3bd/2bath spacious and charming home sleeps up to 6 guests. We offer kayaks, a golf cart, bicycles, arcade style video games, board games, movies, a fire pit, fishing poles and a large boat dock with two spaces for boat docking (one covered, one not). When you stay at the Dora Canal Inn, you will find a peaceful, relaxing retreat from it all. From the backyard, you can enjoy what we can only describe as a parade of boats where you'll experience smiling and waving from locals and tourists alike! You can bring your own boat or inquire about our Pontoon boat rental availability. Enjoy cruising the Harris Chain of Lakes, docking at one of the many city docks and exploring the fantastic local shops, restaurants & bars.
We are close to many of the local Wedding Venues (The Carriage House at Vedder Farms, The Packing House, Tavares Pavillion on the Lake, O'Brien Oaks, Chapel Valley Farm, Sydonie Mansion and The Howey Mansion to name a few). Staying with us is very convenient for the happy couple or wedding guests alike. From here you can travel about an hour to all the Major Theme Parks, then come home and unwind sitting at the fire pit overlooking the water and enjoying nature. Conveniently located, you can travel to airports, theme parks, beaches, springs, state parks and more within a hour. Policies/House Rules- Must be at least 25 years old to book and person booking must be staying on the property. Signed Renter Agreement and Photo ID are required within 48 hours of booking. A $300 Security Deposit Hold is required. Maximum number of guests staying on property is not to exceed 6 (exceeding maximum 6 guests without written owner approval will result in cancellation of booking without refund). Please read full description of rooms & beds to make sure our accommodations (200 lb weight parameters for each twin bed mattress) fit for your group. Guests booking 28 days or longer are subject to a background check. All guest using any of the water toys (kayaks) must wear a life jacket. We have life jackets for guest use stored in the garage. No events, parties, gatherings or use of property for commercial food preparation or food resale permitted. No pets or Emotional Support Animals allowed in or on the property. Misrepresenting a service animal is a crime and may incur up to $500 in fines and up to 60 days in jail. No smoking of any kind allow indoors, on the front porch or in the garage. No jumping, diving or swimming from dock or property edge into canal. Any minors must be supervised on the property at all times. No drugs and drug use, illegal or recreational, underage drinking, hunting,f irearms, incendiaries such as fireworks or use of any off road vehicles on the property. Violation of any rules will result in prosecution or forfeiture of all monies paid. If there should be excessive cleaning needed after your stay, you will be charged the additional fee our cleaners charge us as well as replacement value for any damaged items (furniture, linens, etc) that cannot be salvaged. We do ask that the air conditioning not be set below 70 degrees and that doors and/or windows are not left open while air conditioning is running. If the air conditioning should become in anyway inoperable due to the above, the repair or replacement costs will be assessed to the guest. By booking you are agreeing to these rules and agree to pay additional fees incurred.
NOTE: This property features external security cameras that monitor the property 24/7. No security cameras look into or are located in the interior spaces.The cameras record video and audio however, cameras are not actively monitored during guest stays - unless hosts deem necessary at any point. Tampering with or disabling wifi or security cameras is not allowed. We have a ring doorbell camera, a camera facing the side of the house with the fire pit and sliding doors and two on each end of the boat house facing the canal.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Rental Agreement must be signed within 48 hours of booking. Must be 25 years of age to book & person booking must be staying on site. 8 Guest Maximum.
Security Hold of $300 to be processed on Guest's Card.Photo ID is required to book -Govt Issued ID. No Pet/ ESA on property & No Smoking
No drugs/drug use, illegal or recreational. No hunting, firearms, incendiaries such as fireworks on property. Minors must be supervised at all times.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 2871958
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the neighborhood
Tavares
Located in Tavares, this vacation home is in the city center and on the waterfront. Lake County Historical Museum and Paul P. Williams Auditorium are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Evans Park and Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Club. Mount Dora Center for the Arts and Leesburg Center for the Arts are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking, motor boating, and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours.
Lake County Historical Museum - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
Dora Canal Plaza Shopping Center - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
Lake Eustis - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
Wooten Park - 1 min drive - 1.4 km
Getting around
Leesburg, FL (LEE-Leesburg Intl.) - 9 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 2 min drive
7-Eleven - 2 min drive
Subway - 2 min drive
Domino's Pizza - 5 min walk
7-Eleven - 3 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Boaters Paradise on the Dora Canal w/Kayaks, Dock & Pontoon Boat Rental pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Boaters Paradise on the Dora Canal w/Kayaks, Dock & Pontoon Boat Rental?
As of Sep 29, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Boaters Paradise on the Dora Canal w/Kayaks, Dock & Pontoon Boat Rental on Oct 4, 2026 start from $332, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
What time is check-in at Boaters Paradise on the Dora Canal w/Kayaks, Dock & Pontoon Boat Rental?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Boaters Paradise on the Dora Canal w/Kayaks, Dock & Pontoon Boat Rental?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Boaters Paradise on the Dora Canal w/Kayaks, Dock & Pontoon Boat Rental located?
Located in the heart of Tavares, this vacation home is within a 15-minute walk of Dora Canal Plaza Shopping Center and Lake County Historical Museum. Lake Eustis and Wooten Park are also within 1 mi (2 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
The property is in a great location and is in well maintained inside and out. Drew was a wonderful host and we would highly recommend the Dora Canal Inn to anyone looking for a relaxing stay at this waterfront property.
We loved this home and will visit again! The hosts are very kind and helpful. House is clean and by far the best stocked house I have rented. The location was great, lots to do one the lakes and in downtown. Thank you for having us!
The property was even better than the pictures! It was spacious, beautiful, and clean and had everything you could want. Right on the canal! The host, Drew, was amazing. I was there for business, and he took me on the golf cart (which was for my use) to show me exactly where I had to go and the route to get to my job. He offered to take me for groceries and were very responsive to questions. I would highly recommend them!
Nice place and we all agreed we would stay there again. Golf cart ride into Tavares was delightful. Dunkin next door. Next time we would rent the pontoon to check out the lakes too.
The rental was very clean and exactly as described. Hosts responses were very quick and helpful. Many little extras provided that made our stay even more enjoyable.
The nicest residence we have ever had the pleasure of vacationing in. For once, pictures didn't lie. Everything, absolutely everything is so well taken care of and clean: you will be taking your shoes off every time you enter. The furniture, including the beds are all so comfortable. The kitchen has everything you could want, everything. We did not rent the boat but we did relax on it in the early mornings with coffee and a book and then in the afternoon for a cocktail or two and late evenings. Great people watching as the boaters go by: everyone is so friendly. I am a avid kayak/paddleboard fan and went on the water every day. If you are a fan of kayaking thru the mangroves, you will love this canal: it is so pretty. The canal takes you from Lake Dora to Lake Eustis. Once on Eustis, there is another canal that will take you to Lake Harris but it is a hike to get to that canal. Also, you will want to take a half day trip into Mt. Dora for some shopping. Lastly, beware, you are going want to come back.
This place is AWESOME! Fair warning though, staying here will raise your expectations for other VRBO’s that you may stay at! The hosts are phenomenal folks and really go the extra mile! The Dora Canal Inn is perfect for anyone who likes to fish or boat. It has pretty much everything you could ever want. This was our second stay here and we certainly plan on coming back again. It’s our home away from home. Love it!
The hosts attention to detail is second to none. Communication before and during our stay is excellent. Superb location and home very clean, well decorated, inviting, and the Christmas decorations were such a thoughtful touch.
The hosts were very welcoming. The home was immaculate and extremely well equipped. The beds were comfortable, the house was quiet, and it was amazing to be on the canal with the ability to use their boat. We will return.
The house was very clean, inviting, and had all the amenities to make our stay fun & relaxing. We appreciated the outdoor chairs to watch boaters go by and also the video game table. We had an amazing time. Thank you, Drew and Kelly!
The house was beautiful and clean and comfortable. We love sitting on the dock watching the boats go by and it's so close to Mount Dora to do some shopping and restaurants. The kitchen was fully stocked with everything needed. Very relaxing and enjoyable and oh by the way we love the coffee bar
Had an excellent time staying here for a few nights. The owners are extremely friendly and accommodating. The house was so clean and well maintained. Hope to stay again soon!
Lovey home. Well stocked and lots of fun things to enjoy like the video games, air hockey, fishing, golf cart and more. We would stay at this home again when we return to the area
This was one of the best properties we have stayed at! It sits on a dead end road on the Dora Canal and it is had every amenity you could possibly need. Highly recommend!!
This was our second time at this property and we absolutely love coming here! We always have the best time and communication is wonderful. We can’t wait for our next trip!
Overall great, clean, neat, cute, well stocked, great view of canal, and lots to watch on the water
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
About the host
Hosted by Drew & Kelly Farmer
We are a married couple that self manage and run our Vacation rental homes. We take pride in offering our guests the most incredible stays at our beautifully decorated, well stocked and immaculate homes.
Why they chose this property
The Dora Canal Inn is a relaxing retreat from it all. Perfect for families or couples to enjoy all Tavares, Mount Dora, Leesburg, Eustis and Orlando have to offer. We are also conveniently located within about an hour from many of the major Theme Parks and some of Florida's World Famous Beach's and State Parks. The property is located on the Dora Canal, part of the Harris Chain of Lakes and we offer a boat dock with a slip for your boat should you bring one or rent one from us.
What makes this property unique
Walking in this home you immediately feel warm and welcome! The Dora Canal Inn is beautifully decorated and quite literally feels like home. Then you step out into the back yard, which overlooks the scenic Dora Canal and you see nature at it's finest.The canal is also very unique in that many kayakers, boaters, fisherman and boat tours travel it daily so there are many waves and friendly smiles exchanged on the regular! You really have to experience it to understand all the Dora Canal Inn has to offer!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests