The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour offers a relaxing way to explore the lakes, canals, waterfront homes, and natural scenery of Winter Park, just north of Downtown Orlando. Operating since 1938, the narrated one-hour pontoon boat tour travels through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes while guides share stories about the area’s history, wildlife, and landmarks.
The tour dock is also just a few minutes from Park Avenue, making the experience easy to pair with shopping, dining, and other things to do in Winter Park.
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour Quick Facts
- Tour Length: Approximately 1 hour
- Boat Type: Guided pontoon boat
- Location: Winter Park, Florida
- Established: 1938
- Departure Point: Lake Osceola at 312 E. Morse Boulevard
- Reservations: Standard tours are first-come, first-served
The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour has operated since 1938, making it one of Central Florida’s longest-running attractions—decades before Orlando’s major theme parks opened.
What You’ll See
The tour travels through a portion of the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, using narrow canals to move between the area’s scenic waterways. The route offers a perspective of Winter Park that you won’t get while exploring the city by car or on foot.
Highlights can include Rollins College, Kraft Azalea Garden, historic homes, waterfront estates, tropical landscaping, and local wildlife. Guides also share stories about Winter Park’s history and notable sights along the route.
Keep your camera or phone ready while traveling through the canals. Some of the tour’s most scenic views come as the boat passes beneath the trees and emerges onto the open lakes.
What to Expect
The experience is more sightseeing cruise than thrill ride. Guests travel aboard an open-air pontoon boat while a guide points out landmarks, homes, wildlife, and other sights along the route. Because the boats are open to the elements, consider the weather, temperature, and sun exposure when planning your visit.
Hours
Standard Scenic Boat Tours depart every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. daily, with the final standard tour departing at 4:00 p.m. The attraction is closed on Christmas Day.
Standard tours are first-come, first-served, so arriving before your preferred departure time is a good idea, especially on weekends, holidays, and pleasant-weather days.
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour Prices
- Adults: $20
- Children Ages 2–11: $10
Group rates, private tours, extended tours, and evening tours may also be available by contacting the Scenic Boat Tour directly.
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible tours depart from a separate location and require advance arrangements. They are currently offered at 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and must be scheduled at least one day in advance. Contact the Scenic Boat Tour directly for current accessibility information and reservations.
Pair Your Visit
The Scenic Boat Tour dock is just a few minutes from Park Avenue, making the tour easy to combine with shopping, dining, or a walk through Downtown Winter Park before or after your cruise.
Nearby Things to Do
Nearby attractions include the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Rollins College, Kraft Azalea Garden, the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, Mead Botanical Garden, and Harry P. Leu Gardens.