Nature Tours in Lake County, Florida

Premier Boat Tours

Collection of cruises on Harris Chain of Lakes promote nature and history

Several cruises are offered every day of the year except Christmas, Easter, New Year's Eve, Sept. 11 and Nov. 11. Typically, cruises are $15 for adults and $10 for children; however, cruise prices vary for special events such as sunset cruises, Halloween excursions and Christmas light tours. For more information or reservations, call (866) 269-6584 or (352) 205-5522, e-mail premierboattours@vol.com or log on to www.florida-secrets.com/lake_county_tours.htm.

Eco-adventure, eco-friendly and eco-tourism are a few of the buzzwords that conveniently explain the three narrated cruise lines of Premier Boat Tours.

The motto of these guided pontoon excursions along the Dora Canal, Dead River and the lakes of Dora, Eustis and Harris is look, listen, learn a little and laugh a lot.

"And that's exactly what we try to do," said Reginald Bale, owner and captain of the boat cruises.

First and foremost, Bale likes to promote the safety of the A Day on the Water, Blue Heron and Heritage Lake Tours boats and crews. A London native with service in the British coast guard, he runs a tight ship. The crew, which typically includes a narrator and captain, exude professionalism decked out in their sea-faring uniforms. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard licenses all of the company's vessels.

Premier Boat Tour on Dora Canal in Lake County, Florida

"It takes our employees about two years to receive the proper certification to operate the vessels," Bale said.

The three tours all offer something unique, but the most obvious dissimilarity is where they originate. A Day on the Water and its "Captain Doolittle" boat takes off from Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora, the Blue Heron's "Sea Haven" departs from Tavares' Gator Inlet near the Dora Canal bridge and Heritage Lake Tours' "Miss Dora" is stationed at Harbor Side Restaurant in Tavares.

"They all have distinct differences but a common thread is they all go through the Dora Canal," Bale said.

Each tour shares some of the area's history with the cruise passengers, but the real draw is the scenery and wildlife. Among the most commonly spotted wildlife are otters, bobcat, birds, waterfowl, turtles and alligators.

"The otters are fantastic and curious," Bale said. "It seems like they are always frolicking with their young. Another popular feature is the alligators. The oldest gator we reckon is about 65 years old and around 15 feet long."

While the wildlife can temporarily captivate the audience, most often the scenery provides the "wow" factor. Traveling deep into the bald cypress swamp is like entering a different world.

"I warn you folks this is pre-Disney Florida," Bale announces as the cruise departs. "This is the real Florida."

He adds, "Initially they come for the boat ride, but we open their eyes to the nature surrounding them. It's amazing that some people didn't know otters or even a place like the Dora Canal exists.".