Tavares and the Dora Canal
1 Hour Boat Tour
Tavares was founded by an Orlando lawyer named Major Alexander St. Clair Abrams who had a dream to build a city. He had plans to make Tavares the Capital of Florida and knew that for this to happen, it had to become the crossroad for commerce in the state. Between 1882 and 1887 he built five railroads into the town in addition to opening the Dora Canal to steamboat transportation in 1882.
The original Elfin River was not navigable to larger steamboats which were the mainstay for transportation in the early 1880’s and thus straightening and widening was required. The canal remains navigable today and is surrounded by bald cypress trees and a swampy backwater that is a magnet to Alligators, Herons, Turtles, Anhingas and many other birds. This beautiful waterway is a Florida Attraction, hundreds of thousands of people tour it every year.
This 3 Hour Adventure will allow your students to study the wildlife, plant life, geography and history of the bald cypress tree lined canal and the city of Tavares.
Location
Based at Wooton Park in Tavares. Allowing us quick access to the canal and the opportunity to spend nearly an hour exploring the canal and its tributaries. Wooton Park has fantastic facilities. Available to your class are:
- Bus Parking close by.
- A pavilion for meeting up, and a place to eat.
- Childrens play park.
- The Tavares History Museum.
This all makes for a fantastic morning field trip where the students are outside and learn about the local area.
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Boat & Crew
Premier Adventures utilizes the boats of Premier Boat Tours, a tour boat company based in Mount Dora. These boats are United States Coast Guard Inspected and carry lifejackets for everybody on board. The primary boat that will be used for Premier Adventures will be Sea Haven, which has a capacity of 22 passengers.
We will have 3 people helping with your Field Trip:
- A Tour Coordinator will be there to meet your bus, direct you to all of the facilities at Wooton Park and educate the children about the items we have on our exhibit table.
- A USCG Certified Captain will brief everyone about the safety rules of the boat and pilot the boat through the Dora Canal.
- A Tour Guide on the boat who is well versed in the history, geography, flora and fauna of the Dora Canal and the surrounding areas.
Rates for Field Trip including
1 Hour Boat Tour
15 students or less: Call for customized rate
16 to 30 students: $15
31 to 44 students: $12
45 students or more: Call for customized rate
Chaperones & Teachers are free as long as they do not affect the number of boats required to take all of the students.
Rates are Tax Exempt
Payment must be by Cash, Check or Bank Transfer
Sample Time Schedules
Tour times can be customized to your group
Field Trip for 16-22 Students, Teachers & Chaperones
9:00
Arrive at Wooton Park by bus
9:10
Meet at Pavilion at Wooton Park
Briefing from Captain about safety regulations on the boat
9:25
1 Hour Boat Tour of Dora Canal departs
10:25
Boat Tour arrives back
10:30
Tour the Tavares History Museum and Premier Adventures Exhibit Table
11:30
30 minutes free time to eat lunch, ask questions of the Premier Adventures Team and Play in park
12:00
Depart Wooton Park by bus
Field Trip for 23-24 Students, Teachers & Chaperones
9:00
Arrive at Wooton Park by bus
Meet at Pavilion at Wooton Park
9:10
Briefing from Captain about safety regulations on the boat
9:25
Group A – 1 Hour Boat Tour of Dora Canal departs (maximum 22 passengers)
9:25
Group B – Tour Tavares History Museum and The Premier Adventures Exhibit Table
10:25
Group A – Boat Tour returns
10:30
Group B – 1 Hour Boat Tour of Dora Canal departs (maximum 22 passengers)
10:30
Group A – Tour Tavares History Museum and the Premier Adventures Exhibit Table
11:30
Group B – Boat Tour returns
11:30
30 minutes free time for all to eat lunch, ask questions of Premier Adventures Team and Play in the park
12:00
Depart Wooton Park by bus