Sanibel Island is known for beaches, shelling, and wildlife. What most visitors do not realize until they arrive is that the island also has one of the strongest tennis programs in Southwest Florida — and it is open to the public.
The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club has six newly resurfaced Har-Tru tennis courts, a satellite campus of the Blackwood Tennis Academy, daily adult clinics, private and group instruction for all ages and levels, a Tennis Concierge service, and a pro shop with everything you need to play. Whether you are a competitive USTA player, a beginner who wants to learn the game, or a vacationer looking for a morning hit before the beach, The Dunes has a program for you.
Why Har-Tru Matters
If you have only played on hard courts, your first time on Har-Tru will change how you think about tennis.
Har-Tru is a soft clay surface made from crushed stone. It plays slower than a hard court, which means longer rallies, more strategic points, and a game that rewards placement and consistency over pure power. The ball sits up slightly higher after the bounce, giving you more time to set up your shots and work the court.
The surface is also significantly easier on the body. The give of the clay absorbs impact in a way that hard courts cannot, which means less stress on your knees, hips, ankles, and back. For players over 40 — which describes a large portion of the tennis community on Sanibel — this is not a minor detail. It is the difference between playing three or four times a week comfortably and dealing with chronic soreness after every match.
Har-Tru courts also stay cooler in the Florida heat. The surface reflects less heat than asphalt or concrete, and the courts at The Dunes are watered regularly to keep them playing at their best. If you are going to play tennis in a Southwest Florida summer, Har-Tru is the surface you want to be on.
The Dunes has six Har-Tru courts, all recently resurfaced. They are among the best-maintained clay courts in the Fort Myers and Sanibel area.
The Blackwood Tennis Academy
The instruction at The Dunes is not a side operation run by a part-time pro. It is a satellite campus of the Blackwood Tennis Academy, one of Florida’s established tennis instruction programs with campuses across the country.
Blackwood specializes in high-level training for players of all levels — from juniors in competitive development to adults picking up the sport for the first time. The coaches are certified professionals with deep experience in stroke mechanics, match strategy, movement, and the mental side of the game.
What this means for you as a player: when you book a lesson or join a clinic at The Dunes, you are getting instruction from the same coaching program that trains competitive juniors and tournament players. The quality of coaching is a level above what you will find at most resort or public tennis facilities.
What Is Available
Daily Adult Clinics (Monday through Friday, 8am to 9am): $25 per person. These are open clinics for all levels and cover a range of topics — groundstrokes, volleys, serve technique, doubles strategy, and point play. They are a great way to start your morning, get some quality hits in, and meet other players on the island.
Private Lessons: One-on-one instruction tailored to your game. Whether you want to rebuild your serve, develop a net game, improve your footwork, or prepare for a league match, private lessons are the fastest path to improvement. Contact the pro shop for current rates. Summer members receive 20% off all lessons.
Semi-Private and Group Lessons: Bring a partner or a small group for focused instruction at a lower per-person cost. Ideal for couples or families who want to learn together.
Junior Tennis Academy: The Dunes runs a junior program through the Blackwood Academy that develops young players from beginner through competitive tournament levels. Summer programming includes camps at member pricing.
Open Play and League Play: The Dunes hosts competitive league play and social events throughout the year. The Tennis Concierge can connect you with USTA leagues and match play opportunities at your level.
The Tennis Concierge
This is one of the most underrated services at The Dunes and one that sets it apart from every other tennis facility on the island.
The Tennis Concierge is a matchmaking service for tennis players. If you are visiting Sanibel alone or with a partner and want to find a competitive match, the concierge will pair you with players at your skill level — singles or doubles. You do not need to know anyone on the island. You do not need to be a member. You just call ahead, tell them your level and what you are looking for, and they handle the rest.
For seasonal visitors and snowbirds, this service is invaluable. You arrive on Sanibel, call the concierge, and by the next morning you have a doubles match lined up with players who match your game. No social media groups to join, no bulletin boards to check, no awkward cold introductions at the courts. The concierge does the work.
How Sanibel’s Tennis Options Compare
There are a few places to play tennis on and near Sanibel Island. Here is how they stack up:
The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club: Six Har-Tru courts, recently resurfaced. Blackwood Tennis Academy instruction. Daily clinics, private lessons, Tennis Concierge, junior academy, league play. Full pro shop. Open to the public. Court reservations available. Also features four dedicated pickleball courts, 18 holes of championship golf, pool, and dining. (239) 472-3355, option 2.
Sundial Beach Resort: Six HydroGrid clay courts. Awarded Best Tennis on Sanibel and Captiva. Pro shop, lessons, match pairing, tournaments. Primarily for resort guests; daily passes may be purchased. Strong facility but tied to a hotel property.
Sanibel Recreation Center: Outdoor tennis courts available to members of the rec center. Daily and multi-day memberships available for non-residents. Good for casual play but limited instruction program compared to The Dunes or Sundial.
Sanibel Inn: Two courts on-site for guests. Guests also receive access to The Dunes through an exclusive sports membership partnership.
For the combination of court quality, instruction depth, and the ability to walk on as a non-member and get a world-class tennis experience, The Dunes is the strongest option on the island.
What It Costs
Summer members (May 1 through September 30): No court fees. Unlimited play on all six Har-Tru courts. 20% off all lessons. 7-day advance court reservations. Summer membership starts at $999 for a single and $1,299 for a family, and includes golf, pickleball, pool, and dining discounts in addition to tennis.
Sports members: $15 per session.
Non-members: $24 per person for a 90-minute session, or $12 per person after 1pm.
Equipment rental: $5 per day for a racket if you did not bring your own.
Daily clinics: $25 per person (Monday through Friday, 8am to 9am).
For visitors spending a week or more on Sanibel who plan to play three or more times, the summer membership often makes more financial sense than paying per session — and it includes everything else the club offers.
A Tennis Morning at The Dunes
Here is what a typical morning looks like for a tennis player at The Dunes:
7:45am — Arrive at the pro shop. Check in, grab a cold water, reserve your court for after the clinic.
8:00am — Join the daily adult clinic. Today the pro is working on serve and return patterns for doubles. An hour of focused drills and point play with six other players at mixed levels.
9:00am — The clinic wraps up. You booked a court for 9:15 with a partner the Tennis Concierge matched you with yesterday. Play a set and a half on the Har-Tru — the surface feels incredible compared to the hard courts back home.
10:30am — Cool down. Stretch. Head to the clubhouse for lunch on the patio overlooking the 18th fairway. The coconut shrimp and a cold drink while you recap the morning.
That is a complete tennis experience — coaching, competitive play, and a social finish at the clubhouse — all in one place, all in one morning.
How to Get Started
Call the tennis pro shop at (239) 472-3355, option 2, to reserve a court, sign up for a clinic, or book a lesson. You can also book courts online at dunestennis.com.
If you are not sure where to start, tell the pro shop your experience level and what you are looking for. They will point you toward the right clinic, match you with a hitting partner, or set up a private lesson to assess your game and build a plan.
You do not need to be a member. You do not need to bring your own racket. You just need to show up.
The Details
The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club 949 Sand Castle Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-3355, option 2 Courts available daily | Clinics Monday–Friday 8am–9am | Private instruction available
Reserve a court | View summer membership | Learn about pickleball at The Dunes
Tennis is one part of The Dunes experience. The club also features an 18-hole championship golf course inside an Audubon wildlife preserve, four dedicated pickleball courts, a swimming pool and sundeck, and a full-service clubhouse with lunch and happy hour daily. Follow us on Instagram for court schedules, clinic updates, and event announcements.