Pickleball has gone from a backyard curiosity to the single most requested amenity among active adult buyers, so it is no surprise that the best pickleball communities in Coastal North Carolina are some of the fastest-selling neighborhoods in the region. If a great court (and an even better group of players) is high on your wish list, this guide breaks down where to play across the Wilmington, Leland, Southport, and Brunswick County area.
Pickleball is not a passing fad. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, roughly 24.3 million Americans played pickleball in 2025, and it has been the fastest-growing sport in the country for several years running. For 55+ buyers, it checks every box: it is social, low-impact, easy to learn, and playable at almost any age. Here are the pickleball retirement communities worth knowing about.
| Community | Pickleball Courts | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick Forest | 10 outdoor + 6 indoor | Leland | Year-round players (indoor courts) |
| St. James Plantation | 10 courts | Southport | Big, active pickleball club |
| Del Webb at Mallory Creek | Dedicated courts | Leland | New 55+ construction |
| Del Webb at Riverlights | Dedicated courts | Wilmington | Resort-style 55+ living |
| Compass Pointe | Dedicated courts | Leland | Gated resort amenities |
| Sea Trail Plantation | Dedicated courts | Sunset Beach | Golf + beach proximity |
For sheer pickleball capacity, Brunswick Forest is hard to beat. This 4,500-acre Leland community offers 10 outdoor pickleball courts plus 6 private indoor courts, which means rain, heat, or cold never cancels a game. That indoor setup is rare in the region and a genuine differentiator for serious year-round players.
Pickleball here is anchored by the 18,000-square-foot Fitness and Wellness Center, with indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, an aerobics studio, and a packed schedule of classes and clubs. The community sits about 10 to 20 minutes from downtown Wilmington and roughly 30 minutes from the beaches.
Best for: Dedicated players who want to play all year and a deep bench of fitness amenities alongside the courts.
St. James Plantation pairs 10 pickleball courts with one of the fastest-growing pickleball clubs in the area, so finding a game and a group is effortless. With more than $100 million in amenities, including a private oceanfront beach club, a 475-slip marina, four clubhouses, and 81 holes of championship golf, pickleball is one piece of an unusually deep amenity package.
Located along the Intracoastal Waterway near Southport, St. James also offers Har-Tru tennis courts, five dining options, and more than 100 social clubs. For active adults who want pickleball plus everything else, it is a strong contender.
Best for: Players who want a large, organized pickleball community and resort-level amenities.
If you want a brand-new home and dedicated pickleball, Del Webb at Mallory Creek is a true age-restricted 55+ community that began construction in 2024, with plans for 761 single-family homes. Pickleball courts sit alongside a resort-style pool, poolside cafe, dog park, and walking and biking trails.
A full-time lifestyle director organizes clubs and events, including an active pickleball group, so the social scene is built in from day one. It is about 15 minutes from downtown Wilmington and 30 minutes from the beaches.
Best for: Buyers who want a new-construction 55+ home with pickleball and an organized social calendar.
Del Webb Wilmington at Riverlights brings pickleball and tennis courts together with a resort-style clubhouse, fitness center, and outdoor pool, all inside the larger Riverlights master-planned community along the Cape Fear River. It is a true 55+ neighborhood close to historic downtown Wilmington and the beaches.
Best for: Active adults who want pickleball within a walkable, amenity-rich riverside setting near downtown.
Compass Pointe is an award-winning gated resort community in Leland with golf, tennis, and pickleball among its many amenities. With homes ranging from the mid $400,000s to over $1 million, it leans upscale, but the payoff is a polished, resort-style lifestyle close to Wilmington.
Best for: Buyers who want gated, resort-style living with pickleball as part of a broad amenity mix.
Down at Sunset Beach, Sea Trail Plantation combines pickleball and tennis with indoor and outdoor pools, fishing ponds, and multiple golf courses, all close to the beach and just about 30 minutes from the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand. It is a relaxed, value-friendly option at the southern end of Brunswick County.
Best for: Players who want pickleball, golf, and quick beach access without a premium price tag.
Beyond the fun, there are real reasons pickleball has become a deciding factor when buyers choose active adult communities in Coastal NC:
If beach access is also on your list, pair this guide with our Beach Properties guide to see which communities put you closest to the coast.
Brunswick Forest in Leland offers the most, with 10 outdoor courts plus 6 private indoor courts. The indoor courts make it one of the only communities in the area where you can play comfortably year-round regardless of weather.
Several active adult communities feature dedicated pickleball courts and organized clubs. Del Webb Wilmington at Mallory Creek and Del Webb Wilmington at Riverlights are true 55+ communities with pickleball, while Brunswick Forest and St. James Plantation are all-ages communities with large, very active pickleball scenes popular with retirees.
It depends on the community. The Del Webb communities are age-restricted to 55+. Brunswick Forest, St. James Plantation, Compass Pointe, and Sea Trail Plantation are all-ages communities that are extremely popular with active adults and retirees.
Yes. Pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the United States for several consecutive years, with about 24.3 million players in 2025 per the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Its low-impact, social nature makes it especially popular in 55+ communities.
Sea Trail Plantation in Sunset Beach and St. James Plantation near Southport are among the closest to the coast, with St. James offering its own private oceanfront beach club. Many Leland and Wilmington communities are a 20 to 30 minute drive from the beaches.
The best way to know if a community fits is to play a game and meet the group. We can arrange community tours and connect you with the right neighborhoods for your game. Browse our full 55+ Communities guide, or book a call and we will shortlist the best pickleball communities for you.
See every neighborhood on our 55+ Communities page and let us help you find your court (and your crew).
Sources: Participation data via the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Community amenity details via PrivateCommunities.com and 55places.com.
