Pickleball Yacht Adventures Combine Sport: For pickleball enthusiasts looking for a luxury getaway, a charter yacht with floating pickleball courts might just be the ultimate dream vacation. Imagine playing pickleball on an inflatable court in the middle of the ocean, hitting an Erne straight into the water—yes, it’s happening.
A Viral Pickleball Experience
Riley Palmer, known as Smiley Riley Pickleball on Instagram, has been making waves by sharing her experiences aboard luxury pickleball yacht charters. These trips feature floating courts, on-deck courts, and even skinny singles matches played at sea.
With viral videos showcasing breathtaking ocean views while players enjoy their favorite sport, it’s no surprise that pickleball at sea is becoming a sought-after experience.
View this post on Instagram
A Pickleball Itinerary Like No Other
One of the most popular pickleball yacht adventures takes place in Greece, where vacationers fly into Athens, explore the city, and then embark on an unforgettable journey.
“For the Greece trip, you fly into Athens a day or two before the trip so you have time to explore. Then, we would take you to the boat and have a welcome dinner. Then, we go up the Corinth Canal. When you wake up in the morning, the boat leaves port while you have breakfast. Then, it takes you to a swim stop, which is when you get to play pickleball, paddle board, all those fun things. Then, you eat lunch and go for another two hours, and once you get to your next stop, you’re there overnight.” – (Palmer)
Between pickleball matches, guests enjoy lunch onboard, then sail to their next destination, where they explore islands, beaches, and local culture before staying overnight.
View this post on Instagram
Beyond Pickleball: A Full Luxury Experience
While the floating pickleball courts are the main attraction, these yacht excursions also include:
- Guided land tours at destinations like Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics.
- Bike rentals, wine tastings, and beach tours.
- A full-service gym and Pilates instructor.
- A private chef serving gourmet meals.
- Massage therapists for post-game recovery.
“I love bike tours, but you could do a wine tasting or a beach tour. Each place we stop, there’s a land tour with it. We even get to go to Olympia where the Olympics were created.” – (Palmer)
“You get leisure time, play time, and beach time.” – (Palmer)
View this post on Instagram
Pickleball Coaching at Sea
In addition to Palmer, the yacht trips feature high-level pickleball instruction from well-known coaches, including Matt Manasse, a PickleballTV broadcaster known as the “Pickleball Coach to the Stars.”
With expert coaching, world-class amenities, and one of the most stunning backdrops in the world, these trips offer a unique blend of sport, relaxation, and adventure.
Pickleball and Pure Fun
Beyond the competition and coaching, these trips are designed to be fun, social experiences. Palmer recalled one of her favorite moments:
“I had a client from Phoenix and she is an absolute riot. We were sitting up on the top deck and she went up to the front of the boat and stood on it like Titanic-style. Her arms were out, and we were all just cracking up laughing because she’s such a kid at heart. Pickleball allows us to feel alive and young, and we just have a lot of fun.” – (Palmer)
News in Brief: Pickleball Yacht Adventures Combine Sport
Luxury pickleball yacht vacations are going viral, offering floating courts, expert coaching, and stunning ocean views. Hosted by Riley Palmer and top instructors, these pickleball getaways combine sport, relaxation, and adventure, with stops at iconic destinations like Olympia, Greece. From bike tours to gourmet dining, it’s the ultimate pickleball wellness retreat.
ALSO READ: Lisle Park District Examines Pickleball Expansion in Indoor Recreation Plans