Family owned and run since 1971, Dora Canal Court offers cottage rentals in a tranquil, waterfront community on the scenic Dora Canal in Tavares, Florida. Our newly remodeled and fully furnished cottages offer a comfortable, low-maintenance retreat between adventures.
With direct boat access to the Harris Chain of Lakes, you can easily explore waterfront restaurants, golf courses, live entertainment, and unique boutiques in Tavares and Mount Dora. Our area’s distinct natural beauty offers numerous outdoor activities, including fishing tournaments, freshwater springs, paddleboarding & kayaking, wildlife preserves, scenic boat tours, and even wild manatees. Additionally, Mount Dora was named by USA Today as the third best small town food scene in the United States.
Dora Canal Court is ideally situated for discovering the best of Central Florida. We’re located between the sunny beaches of both Florida coasts, the lively senior events in The Villages, and the world-famous theme parks of Orlando.
See why Southern Living named us one of the “best places to stay” in Tavares!
Can I dock and charge my boat?
Yes, we have several boat slips directly on the Dora Canal, which provides guests direct boat access to the entire Harris Chain of Lakes. We’ve recently upgraded some amenities tailored for our boating and fishing guests.
This includes installing several boat slips, a boat charging station, rebuilding the seawall, and adding a fish cleaning station.
To park boats on our boat slips, just launch your boat down the street at Summerall Park.
How close is downtown Tavares?
We are less than half a mile from downtown Tavares, known as “America’s Seaplane City.” Guests can enjoy the nearby waterfront restaurants, seaplane base, live entertainment, unique boutiques, and more. Despite being near the city center, our property is tucked away within the natural beauty of the Dora Canal.
Are pets allowed?
We love animals! However, to keep our rentals in top condition, we only allow certain pre-approved pets in one designated cottage — Cottage 34: Coconut Cottage.
If you’d like to bring your pet along, please reach out to us for pre-approval before finalizing your reservation.
Do I have to be 55+ to rent a cottage?
No, you do not have to be 55+ years old to book any of our rental cottages.
We are a 55+ community for our residential mobile home tenants, but that age restriction does not apply to our rental cottages.
This unique “mixed-use” setup ensures our guests have a more tranquil and relaxing environment than a standard hotel or vacation rental.
What's the history of Dora Canal Court?
Dora Canal Court has been family owned and run since 1971. As part of the Tavares community for over 50 years, we are proud to be the third-generation to own and operate carrying forward a family legacy that began with my grandparents. After they developed dementia, we made a commitment to “rebuild from below the ground up” to preserve the community atmosphere they built.
Since then, we have completely reimagined the guest experience, including:
– Fully Renovated Cottages: All 8 vacation rentals have been stripped to the studs and refurnished with modern comforts.
– Enhanced Waterfront Amenities: We’ve added dedicated boat slips and facilities specifically tailored to boaters and fishers.
– New Community Spaces: Guests now enjoy our brand-new community clubhouse and outdoor lounge area, which was designed to create the same relaxing, friendly environment our grandparents envisioned over 50 years ago.
What events are happening nearby?
For a complete list of local events, visit the Discover Lake County, FL website, which is operated by the Lake County Office of Tourism.
Beach Volleyball National Recruiting Showcase
The East Coasts largest beach volleyball recruiting tournament for girls looking ...
Mount Dora Village Market
Mount Dora Village Market is an outdoor market. Fresh seafood, fresh ...
Mount Dora Library Classical Music Concert
The Piatigorsky Foundation in partnership with the library present a classical ...
Howey Artisan Market
Discover the charm of the Howey Artisan Market, your local destination ...
Eustis First Friday
Each month, the City of Eustis hosts a family-friendly street party, ...
Mount Dora’s Art in the Alley
Join us every 2nd Friday at 6 PM for an exciting ...
Discover Leesburg
Join us every 2nd Friday evening of the month on Towne ...