Pickleball Travel Adventures: More pickleball players are mixing travel and sport by joining trips, cruises, and retreats focused on pickleball fun and learning. From exotic islands to cruise ships, fans are finding new ways to enjoy their favorite game beyond their home courts.
Pickleball Retreats Around the World
Alicia Ortiz, a resident of Pinecrest, joined a pickleball retreat last summer in Saint Lucia. The trip, designed by a company called “Pickled A Broad,” offered health and wellness activities alongside pickleball clinics. “It was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Ortiz, who started playing three years ago.
“We had five pickleball clinics with a pro (Eva Welsher) giving us three hours of intense lessons per day.” – (Ortiz)
Ortiz said the retreat cost about $4,000 for the week, covering an all-inclusive stay at the Body Holiday resort.
“We did yoga and daily massages, and we walked to the resort’s private beach to enjoy water sports and the sunsets. We also made lasting friendships with people who look us up when they are in Miami and vice versa. We’re still well connected on chats.” – (Ortiz)
Pickleball Getaways Expand Options
Another travel option is Pickleball Getaways, co-founded by Ben Johns and Dekel Bar. Bar explained that his mother’s work in travel inspired the idea. “Why don’t we combine the clinics you are doing with a fun destination?” Bar recalled suggesting to Johns.
Pickleball Getaways hosts trips to Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and more. Bar said the cost is about $2,600 per person, covering lodging, food, transportation, and pickleball training.
“We teach them in the morning, and there is open play in the afternoon. They also go on excursions outside of the resort. It’s open to all levels but mostly we get players who are 2.5s to 4.5s, and we split them up accordingly.” – (bar)
Personalized Pickleball Trips
Steve Rose, a Boca Raton resident who has played pickleball for 10 years, organizes pickleball trips too. He and pro player Kyle Yates have hosted groups at the “Pura Vida House” in Costa Rica.
“I’m addicted to pickleball, and I’ve been doing these trips for five years. We’re leaving for Costa Rica again in two weeks.” – (rose)
Rose rents two houses, one for 10 people and the other for eight, with a private chef. Players use golf carts to reach the courts.
“We rent two houses there – one with room for 10 people and the other with room for eight. We have a private chef, and we take golf carts to the courts.” – (rose)
“We gather at 8 a.m. at the courts and work on different elements of pickleball. Then we give individual attention or set players up in groups, and then play games.” – (rose)
Rose also mentioned trips to the Turks and Caicos Islands and plans for North Carolina.
Pickleball on Cruises
For those who prefer the sea, cruises now often offer pickleball too. Norwegian’s newest ships have indoor pickleball courts, and Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Sea will host a “Pickleball at Sea” cruise on November 9, led by pro instructor Bob McDowell. This will be McDowell’s 12th time hosting such a cruise.
Holland America cruises also feature pickleball courts and offer free beginner lessons. Kathy and Robert Mendez, a married couple from Miami, have played pickleball on Holland America ships.
“There was only one court, and it was extremely windy. The court didn’t have enough space on the sides or in the back. But we had fun.” – (Kathy Mendez)
“The surface was just metal that was painted. It wasn’t ideal. You couldn’t lob too high because there was a net overhead at about 15 or 18 feet. But there were a lot of newcomers to the sport watching. They all wanted to try it.” – (Robert Mendez)
The couple plans to bring their paddles on an upcoming cruise to Greece, Turkey, and Italy.
Growing Popularity and Future Trends
Traveling for pickleball is becoming more common as the sport grows. Organized trips, cruises, and retreats allow players of all levels to explore new places, meet new people, and improve their skills. As Steve Rose said, “‘Destination Pickleball’ can be whatever you dream it to be.”
News in Brief: Pickleball Travel Adventures
Pickleball fans are mixing travel and sport by joining organized retreats, cruises, and trips worldwide. Destinations include Costa Rica, Europe, and the Caribbean. Players of all skill levels enjoy clinics, open play, and excursions. Experts say the trend will likely grow as pickleball’s popularity keeps rising.
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