Posted on 6/4/2024
The thrilling game of Pickleball has taken the nation by storm, becoming America's fastest-growing sport in popularity. If you haven't had the chance to experience it yet, you're in for a treat. Pickleball is a delightful blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, played on down-sized courts with lower nets, hand paddles, and plastic whiffleballs. It's a breeze to learn, a joy to play, and can help you burn a significant amount of calories in just thirty minutes. Many of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests have embraced this exciting Pickleball adventure and are thrilled to have it right here!
History of Pickleball
Surprisingly, this game was originally invented in
the mid-1960s by two dads who were struggling to entertain their bored
kids at a remote family summer cottage on Bainbridge Island near
Seattle, Washington. Soon, the kids, their friends, and relatives all
wanted to play along with lots of neighbors. They called the game
"pickleball" from a whimsical family crew boat and soon afterward for
their dog "Pickle," who used to love stealing the "ball" in play.
The "founding fathers," Bill Bell and Joel Pritchard, began receiving many requests for paddles, balls, nets, and even game rulebooks, so they started a company in the mid-1970s. It was introduced to physical education teachers at school conferences out west, which expanded east in the 1980s and was nationwide by the 1990s.
The United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA) was professionally established in 2005, and into the 2010s, it had about 4,000 places listed where you could play. In 2020, they rebranded it as USA Pickleball with a new website and logos. The first annual Margaritaville USA Pickleball championships began in 2021, with 2,300+ players at one event competing for over $150,000 in prizes with thousands of fans in attendance. Over 36,000,000 people played Pickleball at least once in 2023, but there are only about 11,000 places to play nationwide.
At Ocean Reef Resorts, we take pride in offering these nine vacation resort condominium complexes in Destin, each equipped with Pickleball Courts and a host of other fantastic amenities for your beach group. Here's a detailed look at each one:
Ariel Dunes I
1-4 Bedrooms / 1-3 Bathrooms / 6-12 Guests
Ariel Dunes I, part of the Seascape Resort in Destin's Miramar Beach, is one of a pair of luxury residential towers offering one to four-bedroom condos. This sophisticated tower is designed with an urbane architectural style, crowned by porticoes resembling columned Greek temples. Each condo features open living, dining, and kitchen areas with fashionable furnishings and a wall of tall sliding glass doors in the living area that offer sweeping views of the Gulf from the balconies. The Seascape Resort features a championship golf course, a pro tennis center, beach recreation rentals, and access to six clay pickleball courts. Ariel Dunes I has two swimming pools around its base, encompassing 12,000 square feet of sparkling fun. The vibrant Cabana Cafe off the lobby features live music and serves poolside drinks, fresh seafood, pizzas, salads, sandwiches, or burgers. A fitness center is also on-site.
Ariel Dunes II
1-3 Bedrooms / 1-3 Bathrooms / 5-12 Guests
Ariel Dunes II, the second tower, is also on the Seascape Resort and offers one to three-bedroom condos with stunning southwesterly views. This tower provides panoramic vistas of the glittering Gulf, a coastal dune lake, and the lushly landscaped golf course. Ariel Dunes II features three swimming pools wrapping around its base, totaling 11,000 square feet, and offering views of the lake and golf course. The tower's premium position allows guests to enjoy spectacular sunsets from their balconies. Each floor has a glass-walled elevator lobby offering sweeping views across the peninsula towards the Choctawhatchee Bay. Guests also have access to Seascape's six clay pickleball courts.
Emerald Towers
2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms / 8 Guests
Emerald Towers is an exclusive gated beachfront resort located on Highway 98 in Downtown Destin. This high-rise complex features 85 spacious two and three-bedroom condos with open living, kitchen, and dining areas that include floor-to-ceiling windows framing glistening gulf views. The resort offers a large lagoon-shaped swimming pool, a hot tub, and a spacious sun patio facing the emerald-hued Gulf. Gas grills and a beach bar provide opportunities for fun beachside cookouts. A fitness center with a wall of glass overlooking the Gulf-side pool includes dressing rooms, showers, and a sauna. The resort also has twin tennis courts, including pickleball lines, that are lighted for night play and available during the day.
Gulfside at Hidden Dunes
2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms / 6 Guests
Gulfside, located at the Hidden Dunes Resort, is a luxurious residential tower right on the beach overlooking the Gulf. The tower features two-bedroom condos with comfortable coastal-styled furnishings and Gulf-front balconies offering stellar vistas. Hidden Dunes Resort spans 27 acres of lushly landscaped grounds, offering multiple walkovers to the private beach. Amenities include three swimming pools, hot tubs, a kid's playground, basketball courts, gas grills, five championship Rubico clay tennis courts with a USPTA coaching staff, and five pickleball courts. Tennis and Pickleball at this resort are available for a fee. The resort's paths meander through tropical plantings and around a lovely lake with fountains that are up-lighted at night.
Mainsail
2-3 Bedrooms / 2-3 Bathrooms / 4-10 Guests
Mainsail Resort features Gulf-front luxury residential towers on 15 acres of gated tropical grounds in Destin's Miramar Beach. These eight-story buildings include opulent two and three-bedroom residences with multiple beds, bunks, and sleeper sofas. Amenities include two swimming pools, a South Pool Pavilion with a large pool, a hot tub, and a wading pool for kids. The resort offers a playground, a complimentary beach service, and another pool on the north side with cookout stations. A fitness center overlooks the pool and includes showers, dressing areas, and a sauna. There are also tennis courts lined for Pickleball, basketball, and shuffleboard courts, along with an arcade game room.
Related Video:
Majestic Sun
1-5 Bedrooms / 1-7 Bathrooms / 6-22 Guests
Majestic Sun at Seascape Resort is a striking architectural masterpiece featuring two interconnected towers with a soaring arch. This resort offers one-bedroom condos to five-bedroom penthouse residences, accommodating six to twenty-two guests. The resort overlooks 2,000 linear feet of crystalline white beach and features an indoor pool with a cathedral ceiling, an outdoor pool, hot tubs, and a fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows. The beach is accessible via a palm-lined promenade. Guests also have access to Seascape's amenities, including clay tennis courts and separate Pickleball courts located at the center of the property. The Pickleball courts are open year-round from 8 am to 10 pm, weather permitting.
Pelican Beach Resort
2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms / 6 Guests
Pelican Beach Resort is a 19-story luxury tower located in Downtown Destin. The resort includes two-bedroom condos with Gulf-view balconies and three swimming pools: a beachside pool, a raised terrace pool overlooking a lagoon, and an indoor pool with views of a connecting outdoor pool. A Tiki Hut Bar offers tropical drinks and snacks. Other amenities include hot tubs, tennis courts (one lined for Pickleball), a fitness center, outdoor gas grills, and a game arcade room. The resort is minutes away from HarborWalk Village, offering dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Silver Dunes
2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms / 8 Guests
Silver Dunes is a residential condominium community nestled in an exclusively gated tropical oasis in the heart of Downtown Destin. The community features one to three-bedroom residences with stunning views of the Gulf. Amenities include a large hourglass-shaped swimming pool, a game room, a fitness center, and tennis courts, with one court lined for Pickleball. The lushly landscaped grounds provide a serene setting and lead directly to the beautiful beach, offering residents and guests a perfect blend of relaxation and recreation. Additionally, the community's convenient location ensures easy access to nearby dining, shopping, and entertainment options, making it an ideal destination for a memorable beach vacation.
Surfside Resort
2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms / 6-8 Guests
Surfside is a luxurious high-rise residential tower in Destin's Miramar Beach with an iconic architectural design. The tower features two-bedroom condos with wrap-around balconies and stunning Gulf views. Surfside offers a pool, hot tubs, a pedestrian bridge to the beach, and a Gulf-view restaurant. Other amenities include tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, and a fitness facility. Notably, Surfside also features two dedicated Pickleball courts, providing guests with the perfect opportunity to enjoy this popular and engaging sport.
"Pick" Your Perfect Vacation: Destin Condos with Pickleball Courts
Now that you've had a peek at these nine popular Destin condos with awesome amenities, including Pickleball courts, it's time to choose your favorite. Dive into the luxury and excitement waiting for you at Ocean Reef Resorts. Explore our website for detailed descriptions, stunning property images, rental rates, and available dates.
Don't wait—book your dream vacation now and create unforgettable memories in Destin!
