“America's Seaplane City.” That's the official tagline of Tavares, FL, a small Central Florida city located in Lake County. Tavares bills itself as such because it's partnered with local business Jones Brothers & Co. Air and Seaplane Adventures to offer a variety of seaplane tours, trips, and thrills.
If you're an active adult looking for a unique experience in the area, whether for sightseeing, fun, fond memories, a short getaway, romance, an adrenaline boost, or some mix of motivations, look no further. Here are some of the airborne adventures you can have with a visit to Tavares (though a few packages begin nearby in Mount Dora):
“Air, Land, and Sea Package”
Relax and explore the Harris Chain of Lakes starting from Mount Dora. Begin with a 1.5-hour boat cruise to the Tavares Seaplane Base, then hop a seaplane for a short flight, and complete the journey by riding the Orange Blossom Cannonball Express train back to your starting location.
“Fly Out and Paddle In”
If you want to be a little more active, consider this option. Check out the Harris Chain of Lakes from a seaplane, land on Lake Eustis, then paddle your way back to Tavares in a kayak on a 1-hour guided trip along the scenic Dora Canal.
Combine Food, Drink, and Flight
Jones Brothers offers several packages where you fly to a popular Central Florida restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The company even offers a seaplane-based bar hop!
Day Trips (or a Few Days)
Why drive to a Florida destination when you can fly there in style in a seaplane? Day trip options include flights to New Smyrna Beach, the Everglades, Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, and Homosassa.
Choose from several packages at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area that include camping, airboat rides, bass fishing, or wild boar hunting. Different packages for Homosassa include a vacation getaway with various outdoor activities, fishing, scalloping, or swimming with manatees.
Flightseeing
If you're interested in sightseeing around Central Florida with a bird's eye view, Jones Brothers offers about 10 seaplane tours with different areas of focus. You can catch your flight from Tavares or Mount Dora for most of these.
Charters and Vacations
Your seaplane adventures can also entail a weekend getaway or longer vacation. In partnership with Premier Adventure Vacations, Jones Brothers has vacation packages for the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, the Gulf Coast and South Florida, Central and North Florida, and Georgia and South Carolina.
Other Options
Maybe it'll take a little more than riding in a seaplane to satisfy your appetite for adventure. So learn to fly one! Seaplane piloting lessons are another exciting item on the flight menu in America's Seaplane City. Then you can join the Seaplane Flying Club, too. Jones Brothers also has a list of ways to make your proposal or wedding unique and particularly memorable.
Check out the website for more information or to book your seaplane adventure.
Central Florida for Active Adults
There's truly no shortage of amazing things to see and do in Central Florida in the 55+ years. From the most rugged outdoor adventures to the most cosmopolitan experiences, we have it all here. Make sure you add a seaplane tour or trip to your itinerary—it's guaranteed to be a great time!
