September 6th, $59.95 Plus Tax Per Person Brunch Included
Spend two relaxed hours aboard the Dora Queen on Lake Dora — a live-music brunch cruise that showcases central Florida’s lake scenery and birdlife. Limited seating and an included brunch make this a great choice for families and visitors looking for an easy, photogenic outing near Tavares.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal physical fitness required; mostly standing or seated mobility for moving between decks
Wildlife
History
Tavares has long served as a center for lake-based recreation and seaplane activity, reflecting over a century of boating culture in Lake County.
Conservation
Help protect shoreline habitat by using designated docks, packing out litter, and avoiding feeding wildlife to preserve water quality and native plants.
Dora Queen Cruises
September 6th, $59.95 Plus Tax Per Person Brunch Included
Dora Queen Cruises is a paddlewheel cruise operator based in Tavares, Florida, offering scenic boat tours and private charters on Lake Dora. The company operates the Dora Queen paddlewheel vessel, providing scheduled public cruises and customizable private events for residents and visitors of Central Florida. Scheduled offerings include two-hour Saturday sunset cruises and Sunday Funday two-hour afternoon cruises, weekday Monday–Friday leisure cruises, themed events such as a Lighted Boat Parade cruise and seasonal New Year's Eve 21+ celebrations, and adult-only Stand Up Comedy cruises. Private event services accommodate up to 70 guests for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and corporate functions, with room for live music and dancing. Onboard amenities include two levels of seating, an upper deck for panoramic views, and a climate-controlled salon for comfort in varying weather. A full-service bar is available on most cruises, and select events offer complimentary toasts, hors d’oeuvres, or pre-order options like charcuterie. Ticketed events may be age-restricted (21+ for certain performances). Dora Queen Cruises emphasizes a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere on daytime and weekend sailings while providing adult-oriented entertainment for special events. Operating from Tavares on Lake Dora, the company follows regular schedules for public cruises and offers limited-ticket holiday excursions such as the annual Lighted Boat Parade experience. The vessel’s combination of scenic views, live music on many departures, and custom private-event capabilities makes Dora Queen Cruises a recognizable choice for Lake Dora boat experiences.
Tickets are available online or at the dock, and staff provide safety briefings before each launch to guests.
Location
Tavares, FL
Sailing on Lake Dora
Guest Capacity
Up to 70
Private event capacity for guests
Cruise Length
2 hours
Most scheduled cruises last two hours
Onboard Amenities
Full-service bar
Upper deck and climate-controlled salon
Secure tickets for scheduled cruises or inquire about private events and New Year’s Eve 21+ celebrations — limited capacity; book early.
Arrive Early
Boarding is at 10:30 AM and seating is first-come, first-served; early arrival gives you the best deck and shade options.
Bring ID for Alcohol
Alcohol is available only to guests 21+ with valid photo ID—keep it handy to avoid delays.
Sun Protection
Open decks mean strong sun exposure—use sunscreen and a brimmed hat during summer sailings.
Motion Comfort
If you’re prone to motion sickness, pick a midship seat and bring travel-sickness remedies—two hours on calm water is usually gentle.
Sunscreen
Protects against sun on the open deck during late spring through early fall.
summer
Brimmed hat or cap
Keeps sun off your face and improves comfort while photographing the shoreline.
summer
Light jacket
Useful for breezy mornings or cooler early-season cruises.
spring
Binoculars or small camera
Helps you spot birds and capture shoreline details from the boat.