Picture the Maldives: white sand, turquoise water, a speedboat transfer from the airport. Now add a pickleball court. That’s the new reality at Kandooma Maldives, which has unveiled a dedicated court and invited holidaymakers to join one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. It may look like a small addition to a resort, but it says something larger. Pickleball has now reached the island holiday.
A Court on the Island
Kandooma, located about 45 minutes by speedboat from the international airport, has expanded its recreational facilities with the new court, designed for players of all skill levels. The idea is to give families and groups a way to add some friendly competition to their stay.
The practicalities are guest-friendly:
- Hours: Daily, from 6 am to 6 pm.
- Equipment: Available to borrow through the reception team.
- Free play: Guests staying in any of the resort’s 154 villas get one hour of complimentary court time per day, booked through the recreation or front office staff.
The court sits alongside the island’s existing active offerings, giving visitors one more way to make use of the resort’s open outdoor space.
Not an Isolated Case
Kandooma isn’t alone. Across Asia, the sport has been turning up wherever people gather, travel or relax, and hospitality has increasingly been part of the story.
In Bali, INDOPICO’s Pickleball Experience Bali programme is openly inviting hotels, villas and travel partners to collaborate, offering coaching and play companions to enhance guest experiences at locations across Sanur, Legian, Renon and Lot Tunduh. In Phnom Penh, TheCommune Pickleball is being built as a destination for the whole family, combining seven courts with a restaurant, wellness and recovery spaces, a children’s play area and a pro shop. In Hong Kong, property developer Sino Group has teamed up with Bay Pickle to open an academy at its One SilverSea property. And in Sabah, the organisers of the Sabah Open openly describe their aim as “sport tourism,” using pickleball to bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu.
Why Hotels and Resorts Are Paying Attention
There’s a logic to it. A pickleball court doesn’t need a lot of space, it’s simple enough for beginners to enjoy within minutes, and it works for groups of different ages, which is exactly what a family holiday needs. For resorts, it’s a low-cost way to offer an extra activity that guests can use at any time of day.
It also fits a wider shift in how people travel. Many holidaymakers now want to stay active and sociable on their trips, and a game of pickleball ticks both boxes. As more guests learn the sport at home or in their local malls, they’re likely to expect it when they’re away.
The Sport Goes Everywhere
From shopping malls in Metro Manila to a speedboat ride away from the Maldives’ main airport, the sport keeps showing up in places few would have predicted just a few years ago. Whether a resort is a boutique villa in Bali or a 154-villa island in the Indian Ocean, a court has become something guests are happy to find.
For Kandooma’s visitors, that means an hour of free play a day, and a different way to enjoy the island’s open space.
