In the last decade, South Florida has become an go-to destination for avid pickleball players. More than just an escape from northern, pickleball has been widely embraced by the local community with new facilities opening constantly.
“South Florida’s year-round sunshine and deep-rooted tennis culture — home to legends like Chris Evert, the Williams sisters, and Coco Gauff — make it a natural fit for the spin-off sport of pickleball,” Chris Bielski, Director of Sales & Marketing at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa, tells Miami Herald.
With that in mind, we spoke to local travel and hospitality experts to highlight South Florida’s top pickleball getaways. We dink they’re the perfect destinations for any and all pickleball enthusiasts.
Hotels and Resorts That Serve Some Serious Pickleball Fun
If your idea of a getaway is being pampered, local experts weighed in with some South Florida hotels that fully deliver on pickleball fun.
1. Beach Front Resort: Get some R&R at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale. This beachfront paradise recently added six pickleball courts, and guests are allotted 60 minutes of free play daily. They can also partake in clinics, private lessons, tournaments and even Pickleball Happy Hour.
“[We’ve seen] growing demand from both our resort guests and Club members for pickleball,” Bielski adds. “With so many seasonal visitors seeking ways to stay fit and social while escaping the cold, Fort Lauderdale has become a prime pickleball getaway.”
2. Miami Magic: Those looking to spend some time in the Magic City should look no further than Miami Beach W South Beach. Its rooftop pickleball courts offer panoramic views of the city. The concierge can arrange private coaching sessions, and there are weekly clinics, too.
3. Island Time: For true island vibes, look no further than Sundial Resort on Sanibel Island. Sundial boasts the largest pickleball facility in the region with 16 outdoor Plexicushion courts (and 18 holes of golf), and is considered one of the best pickleball destinations ion America. Take advantage of open play, or partake in clinics and lessons.
“It’s been quite a haul rebuilding the island after the hurricanes,” a rep from the company says. “But pickleball lives on!”
4. Club Service: Staying at Beach Club at The Boca Raton gives you access to a full-service racquet club as well as several newly constructed pickleball courts… but if you’re planning to reserve one, you’ll want to do it in advance. The rep told us pickleball courts sell out fast!
If you aren’t planning on open play, schedule a lesson with one of the resort’s many instructors. And don’t forget to finish the day at the court ide bar!
Simply Smashing RV Campgrounds
Bask in your own space at these RV campgrounds — and play some pickleball while you’re at it! We spoke to a Thousand Trails Campgrounds representative who recommended six South Florida getaways where pickleball culture is alive and well.
1. Glow in the Dark: By day, guests visiting Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina can play run-of-the-mill pickleball. But by nightfall, they can partake in a fun spin on the popular game: glow in the dark pickleball! The resort offers various glow-in-the-dark tournaments year-round, for kids and adults. It features music, an open tiki bar and a spectator viewing area… fun!
2. Lake Vibes: Life is better on the lake at Encore Tranquility Lakes in Cape Coral. This 200-acre development boasts lakefront views and nearly 200 RV sites. Among the resort’s amenities, guests can play on 10 pickleball courts, making quite a bit of room for tournaments.
3. Manatee County: Camp at one of 180 updated RV sites at Encore Terra Ceia Village in Palmetto, between Tampa and Sarasota. An expansion includes four new pickleball courts, which were christened by none other than pickleball legend John Hamm. If that doesn’t give good pickleball vibes, we don’t know what will!
4. Dink and Drive: For those who love both golf and pickleball, Okeechobee KOA Resort has it all. In addition to its four pickleball courts, it also has a driving range and a 9-hole golf course. Resort guests even formed a Pickleball Committee that host both men’s, women’s and mixed couple tournaments, so get ready to crush it.
5. Bye B-Ball: Sherwood Forest RV Resort in Kissimmee said bye to basketball and hello to new pickleball courts. Guests are always showing off their game, so join in on the fun if you’re planning a trip.
