Pickleball quietly became the unofficial second sport of every Caribbean all-inclusive — and Sandals Resorts has the biggest footprint by a wide margin. As the Official All-Inclusive Resorts of USA Pickleball, Sandals now operates 64 dedicated courts across 14 resorts in seven Caribbean destinations. There’s just one twist for 2026: the brand’s flagship 12-court complex at Sandals South Coast in Jamaica is closed until November 18, 2026 as part of the $200 million Sandals 2.0 reimagination, so where you can actually play right now in 2026 is not where Sandals sends most of its marketing.

Here’s the full 2026 picture: which Sandals (and Beaches) resorts have pickleball, what’s open right now, what’s on pause, and where to book if you want to combine adults-only Caribbean travel with serious court time.

What’s New With Sandals Pickleball in 2026

Sandals Resorts International became USA Pickleball’s first-ever Official All-Inclusive Resorts partner in 2025, and the program has only expanded since. As of spring 2026:

  • 64 pickleball courts across 14 Sandals properties
  • Coverage spans seven Caribbean destinations: Jamaica, The Bahamas, Curaçao, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
  • USA Pickleball-approved equipment (paddles and balls) at every participating resort
  • 40-minute group “Introduction to Pickleball” sessions led by USA Pickleball-Approved Coaches at no extra charge
  • Daily open play day and night, plus “Pick Up and Play” matchmaking for solo travelers
  • Court access, equipment, basic coaching, and lessons are all included in the all-inclusive rate — no court rental fees, no separate equipment charges

Beaches Resorts (the family side of the same company) is part of the same partnership, with Beaches Turks & Caicos offering one of the largest court setups in the Caribbean for families.

The active 2026 promotion that pairs best with a pickleball-focused trip is the Sandals Summer Loving Sale — up to $1,000 instant credit, a $175 spa credit, and a free night, with the booking window closing May 4, 2026 (details on the cobranded Sandals deal page).

Why Sandals South Coast Is on Hold Until November

Sandals South Coast in Whitehouse, Jamaica is the brand’s flagship pickleball property. The 50-acre resort runs 12 dedicated courts — the largest pickleball complex at any Caribbean all-inclusive — and routinely hosts pickleball camps, advisor incentive trips, and small-group tournaments.

After Hurricane Melissa damaged the three Jamaica properties in late 2025, Sandals committed to a full $200 million reimagination of South Coast, Royal Caribbean, and Montego Bay rather than a standard repair. The originally announced May 31, 2026 reopening for South Coast has now moved to November 18, 2026, with Royal Caribbean and Montego Bay following on December 18, 2026. (We covered the timeline shift in detail in our Sandals Jamaica Reopening Update April 2026.)

The good news: the pickleball complex itself was not damaged in the storm, and the renovation is preserving and expanding South Coast’s role as the brand’s pickleball capital. Once it’s back online for the November 18 reopening, expect new programming, a refreshed clubhouse area, and continued international camp bookings. If your travel plans stretch into late 2026 or 2027, South Coast is the highest-court-density option in the Sandals system — period.

Where to Play Pickleball at Sandals Right Now in 2026

For travelers booking summer or fall 2026 and not waiting for the South Coast reopening, here’s where the courts are open and active right now:

Sandals Regency La Toc, Saint Lucia — 10 courts. Currently the largest pickleball complex available in the Sandals system in 2026. Pairs the courts with a crescent-shaped beach, three pools, golf with complimentary green fees, and full Red Lane Spa access. Steve’s pick for a multi-day pickleball-and-relax trip in Saint Lucia. (Sandals Regency La Toc on the cobranded site)

Sandals Royal Bahamian, The Bahamas — 4 courts. The closest fly-time from the U.S. East Coast (just 35 minutes from Florida), making it ideal for a long-weekend pickleball trip. Couples it with the offshore island, two beaches, and the new convention-center complex if you’re traveling with a small group. (Sandals Royal Bahamian on the cobranded site)

Sandals Grenada — 1 hybrid court. Grenada is built more around water sports and the rainforest than pickleball, but a hybrid court is on property if you want light play. Better as a “we’ll play occasionally” trip than a dedicated pickleball trip. (Sandals Grenada on the cobranded site)

Sandals Royal Curaçao, Curaçao — courts on property. A 2022-build resort that’s still one of the most architecturally distinct in the system. Pickleball is part of the active sports lineup; pair with the resort’s Island Inclusive program (off-property dining and rental cars included). (Sandals Royal Curaçao on the cobranded site)

Sandals Saint Vincent, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines — courts on property. The brand’s newest resort (opened March 2024). Pairs pickleball with the Buccan wood-fired restaurant and, starting November 1, 2026, 20 brand-new Rondoval Butler Villas with Private Pools — including three Sky Villas with rooftop terraces. (See our Sandals Saint Vincent Rondoval Butler Villas guide.) (Sandals Saint Vincent on the cobranded site)

Sandals Grande Antigua, Antigua — courts on property. Sits on Dickenson Bay’s white-sand beach with a robust active-sports program. Antigua is also hosting the 2026 Caribbean Travel Marketplace at Sandals Grande Antigua in May. (Sandals Grande Antigua on the cobranded site)

Sandals Ochi, Jamaica — floodlit courts. Currently open (Ochi was not closed in the Sandals 2.0 program). Set on 100+ acres in Ocho Rios with one of the most varied resort layouts in the system. (Sandals Ochi on the cobranded site)

For families: Beaches Turks & Caicos has its own multi-court pickleball complex and is by far the strongest family-side pick for a pickleball trip (Beaches pickleball page on the cobranded site).

Who Benefits Most From a Sandals Pickleball Vacation

Sandals’ pickleball setup is built for three types of traveler:

Couples who play together. Adults-only resorts plus court access plus daily group sessions equals a low-friction way to spend a week mixing court time with beach time. The Summer Loving Sale gives this group the cleanest entry point right now.

Small friend groups (4–8 players). A pickleball-focused friend trip is one of the easiest reasons to book a Sandals as a group — every player gets unlimited free play, equipment, and coaching, and there’s enough non-pickleball at every property to keep non-players happy. Sandals Regency La Toc with 10 courts is the natural fit for groups in 2026.

Pickleball travelers who want to combine play with rest. Daily open play in the morning, Red Lane Spa in the afternoon, all-inclusive dinner, repeat. This is the pattern most pickleball-curious vacationers fall into within 48 hours of arrival.

For first-timers, our Best Sandals Resort for First Timers 2026 guide lays out where to start — and our All 17 Sandals Resorts Ranked piece covers the full lineup.

Steve’s Expert Take

I’ve played at Sandals South Coast and at Regency La Toc, and the thing that surprises every guest is that this isn’t just “two courts behind the tennis area.” At South Coast it’s a real complex — 12 courts side-by-side with shaded seating, dedicated coaches, and an actual pickleball culture. La Toc’s 10-court setup is the closest equivalent until South Coast reopens in November. If you’re trying to plan a 2026 pickleball trip right now and you want the highest court density and best programming, book Regency La Toc. If your travel window starts late November or runs into 2027, start watching South Coast inventory the day reopening dates go live — historically, the rooms closest to the pickleball complex sell out first.

How to Book and What to Expect

Sandals rates currently start in the mid-$300s per person, per night, depending on resort and room category. The active Summer Loving Sale layers up to $1,000 in instant credit, a $175 spa credit, and a free night through May 4, 2026.

For pickleball-specific trip planning — picking the right resort for your skill level, lining up the Summer Loving Sale, and grouping a friend trip into the right room block — working with a Certified Sandals Specialist saves trial and error. Our team at PixieVacations.com provides free expert planning for every Sandals and Beaches property in the Caribbean. We’ve personally stayed at all 17 Sandals resorts and we know the pickleball complexes by name. Get a free quote here.

Related

Official program pages: Sandals Pickleball | Beaches Pickleball