SVX 191

For starters you never want to start your boating adventure without a wholesome breakfast. For a quick bite, cody’s on 4th has everything you need from bagels to Keish of the day. One flight up cafe has the best view of downtown Mount Dora, overlooking the heart of downtown from a second story balcony. If you are looking for a heartier breakfast and my personal favorite for the past 12 years, the highland St. café will not disappoint. As you could imagine, these restaurants get busy on the weekends so plan accordingly. With the most important meal of the day behind you, its time to set our eyes on the horizon and make way to Mount Dora Boating Center. With a fleet of 6 boats including pontoons, tri-toons, and deck boats, we’ve got your day on the water covered.
As the captain of your boat goes through orientation, this will be the crews last chance for supplies in the ship store. Grabbing last minute items like ice, towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, and contemplating if they should surprise the captain and rent a towable tube (if the captain hasn’t already rented one). Even if you don’t have to use the restroom, you should, you don’t want to be the one to force the first stop with a restroom break. With gear and crew loaded onto the boat Its time to begin your custom-tailored itinerary that Mount Dora Boating Centers livery operators are more than happy to help you plan. With 6 possible lakes to visit, even in our fastest rental boat (Glastron GTD 220), you can’t see it all in one day.
If you came to fish, you want to do that first. As the morning progresses, boating traffic becomes heavier, that has the tendency of slowing the action of the fish down. You can expect to catch largemouth bass, blue gill, crappie, catfish, alligator gar, and a few others. During orientation we will be happy to point out the most hidden/ successful fishing locations and tips, while looking at the on-board map. While Mount Dora Boating Center is not checking your fishing license, a fishing license is required for anyone over 16 years old who intends on fishing. If you are looking for live bait or just to talk to the local experts, Eustis bait and tackle is about 40 min away by boat or 15min away by car. A good rule of thumb is to remain outside of casting distance to any other boat fishing. You also don’t want to anchor in the middle of any channels or canals as other boaters will have no choice but to pass within proximity and mid-day can get busy with boating traffic.
If your itinerary includes viewing wildlife, the best times will be before 10am or after 3pm as wildlife is more active during those times. The Harris Chain has such a vast and unique ecosystem. If you are looking for birds, you are likely to see, eagles, ospreys, anhinga’s, wood storks, ibises, sandhill cranes, wood ducks, herons, and egrets. This chain also contains otters, racoons, white- tailed deer, otters, and if you are very lucky manatees have been sighted in and around Haines creek! The Dora canal is one of the best places to view almost all the listed wildlife. This canal lives up to its nickname “the most beautiful mile in the world”. Lined with cypress trees and endless wildlife, you’ll think you were traveling back in time. Most of the canal is
of civilization, thus making it the most popular attraction on the Harris Chain. It takes about 15-20 minutes to navigate the twisting, winding canal but remember, this canal links lake Dora to lake Eustis and is by far the busiest canal on the Harris chain. Have your cameras ready but be aware of boaters ahead and behind you, with its narrow attributes its nearly impossible to have three boats next to each other. Meaning if you have oncoming traffic and boats behind you, they will not be able to pass. During the busiest times, generally on the weekends, the normal 15-20 min commute could end up being closer to 30 minutes.
With the morning activities behind you, it’s about lunchtime. If you packed lunch in your cooler, you could tuck away in one of the many hidden gems such as the alligator hole on the north end of lake Eustis or at the swimming hole in lake Dora to eat lunch. However, the most popular option is to pull up by boat to one of the ever-increasing number of restaurants on the water. You can also call ahead and pick up food to-go from any of the restaurants on the lake if time is of the essence.
Your patient crew waited all day to go tubing. Whether it’s a youngster’s first time on a tube or a bit more on the aggressive side, getting away from the crowded lakes is always the safest bet. The best choices are usually lake BeauClair or lake Carlton, we will show you on the map where we enjoy tubing. Keeping in mind wind direction, tubing on glass calm water is much more enjoyable than tubing in choppy water. After you have satisfied the crew’s urge, the best place to unwind is at the swimming hole. On the weekends you will find no shortage of other boaters who have the same thought in mind. While it is not a traditional sandbar, the water is about thigh to stomach deep, it renders all the same benefits of a sandbar. This is the time to mingle with the locals, toss the football or frisbee around, listen to music, or just float around and reflect on the amazing adventure you’ve had so far.
If you want to see beautiful houses and gorgeous scenery, Deer Island is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Lake County. A close second will be some of the properties on the eastern side of BeauClair and all the properties on Lake Carlton. They have breath taking homes with massive oak trees and beautiful backyards that slop down into the lake. With the historic charm and waterfront towns, there is no shortage of things to do in the Harris Chain. We would be delighted if you allowed us the opportunity to get you and your family out on the water to experience this slice of heaven.