More than 30 people were already on the teaching courts when I joined one of the morning drop-in clinics Sea Colony runs on weekdays. It was approaching July, when every one of some 2,200 condominiums and homes fill up with summer guests and homeowners. While the beach is unquestionably the biggest draw, tennis with 34 hard and clay courts, 6 of them indoors, could easily lay claim to being the No. 2 reason people opt to vacation at Sea Colony.
Many owners told me that the deciding factor in their purchase of a home At Sea Colony was the quality of the tennis, both for them and their kids. Apart from those midweek clinics, Sea Colony’s summer roster lures players to the courts with Live Ball and Cardio sessions, doubles clinics, Nike Adult Camps, Sea Colony’s own tennis camps, custom-designed tennis getaways with optional mental-toughness component, social pro-run round robins, and a mix of junior programs running the gamut from drills and games for 4- to 7-year-olds to Nike tennis camps and tournament tough training. And the year is otherwise peppered with exhibitions, junior tournaments, demo days, and more. At any season the staff is there to help set up games, aided now by the ability of guests and members to sign up online. All of this is designed to keep tennis in the forefront of people’s consciousness.
Sea Colony dates to the early 1970s and has something of a split personality. Route 1 divides two completely different neighborhoods. On one side is the beach—a broad boulevard of soft sand bordered by dunes over which looms a phalanx of frankly rather stark 10-to-14-story towers, their harshness somewhat relieved by long dune-fronting boardwalks, broad patios, and the occasional swimming pool, one of them indoors. On the opposite side of the highway, a tiny marketplace of shops and restaurants marks the entrance to a leafy and altogether tranquil community of residential streets with low-rise condominiums and homes, lakes, ponds, swimming pools, and a $7.5 million fitness and aquatics center, linked to one another and the beach by trams and dedicated bike paths.
Sea Colony boasts a top-tier tennis and pickleball facility—a three-time winner of the USTA Outstanding Facility of the Year award, most recently in 2022—and a wide range of programs that serve as a tremendous asset. This excellence is further enhanced by the friendly and always-helpful staff. With a talented team of professionals, including college and former college players, Sea Colony continues to deliver exceptional racquet sports experiences for players of all levels.
Tennis Programs: During the busy summer season, there are daily adult clinics, daily Cardio sessions, and a variety of junior clinics for various ages from Monday through Friday. There are as many as five round robins weekly during the busy summer. At any season the staff is there to help set up games, aided now by the ability of guests and members to sign up online (see Sea Colony Tennis for a detailed overview of all things tennis). And roughly once a month from April to October, some sort of special event—a professional, sanctioned, or social tournament, a visiting pro, or an exhibition—rounds out the program. And during the summer months of June to August there are two or three NIKE adult tennis camps each month (ALERT: these tend to sell out early). Beyond that, Sea Colony offers tailor-made weekend camps for small groups.
On paper, this all appears to be rock-solid choice of tennis options, but what sets them apart is the number of participants. On a day in August when temperatures had soared above 95 degrees, more than 30 adults and juniors turned out for the 10 a.m. intermediate clinic and another 30-plus attended the advanced clinic. I also counted 20 beginners in afternoon junior clinic, which had astutely been scheduled for the indoor courts.
Tennis aside, Sea Colony has also made the move into pickleball with four permanent courts and blended lines on 14 of the tennis courts and an additional 4 permanent courts, a total of 8 with lights. Certified pickleball instructors are available for clinics and private lessons, supplemented by pickleball and hybrid tennis and pickleball camps for adults (including some for advanced pickleball), and NIKE camps for juniors. Instruction aside, Sea Colony stages pickleball clinics, social round robins, and a variety of morning and evening Open Plays sessions for all levels. Court Complex. Although there are four lighted hard courts at the beach, the real tennis action takes place at the main tennis center. It comprises six indoor hard courts with sandwiched between another six outdoor courts and 14 Har-Tru courts. There are and additional four hard courts in the trees across the road, two of those now sporting blended lines to accommodate pickleball. Grand Central Station for tennis is the pro shop on the ground floor of the indoor building. Above it, a long viewing area overlooks the indoor courts and has a bar for use in special events. It opens in back onto a broad deck with a panoramic perspective on the Har-Tru courts, where The Vacasa Pro Women’s Open, a $25K Pro Circuit event, takes place in May. Although the pro shop closes at 7 p.m., those well-lighted indoor courts remain open on a first-come, first-served basis until 10 p.m.
Court fees: None, not even for the indoor courts.
Off Court
Beach: Sea Colony fronts ½ mile of Bethany Beach, a broad boulevard of soft sand washed by the Atlantic Ocean. A free shuttle takes guests from Sea Colony West (where the tennis center is) across Route 1 to the beach.
Fitness Center:Â A short walk from the tennis center is $7.5 million multi-use fitness and aquatic center with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a snack bar, gymnasium, and a well-equipped workout room. Personal trainers are available as are a variety of classes, including spinning, Zumba (both aquatic and dry land), yoga, Barre toning, and water aerobics.
Bike paths lace Sea Colony West making it easy for kids to get from houses and townhomes there to the tennis courts, fitness center, or marketplace (though to reach the beach they have to cross busy Route 1).
Children's programs: Colony Kids and Club Sea Colony take kids for 2 and 4 hours respectively for a mix of swimming, games, crafts, and other diversions.
Dining: The Marketplace at the entrance to Sea Colony has two restaurants: several restaurants, Fin’s Ale House and Armand’s Pizza among them, but there are numerous other choices within easy driving distance in Bethany and Fenwick Beaches.
Accommodations
Lodging consists of 1-to-5 bedroom condos and houses, some oceanfront, others near the tennis complex. During the summer, one-week bookings are required.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round thanks to its indoor courts.
Travel Instructions: The nearest major airports are Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), each roughly a 2½-hour drive from Bethany Beach. The alternative is to fly into Salisbury Regional Airport (SBY) in Salisbury, MD, which is approximately 45 minutes’ drive south of Bethany Beach.
In my opinion, the Sea Colony Tennis Camp is outstanding. The Pro’s are great at instruction and skill development. They not only lead one to enhancing ones ability and stamina, but they make it fun to as well. I really enjoy playing tennis and I believe that I, and everyone else, are improving their game with the clinics and lessons at Sea Colony. The Sea Colony Tennis Camp truly is an excellent place with great coaches.
GF
I would highly recommend the Junior Tennis Program at Sea Colony. Our daughter was new to tennis, actually new to playing any sport, and after six weeks she could play tennis ! More important is that she was treated in a positive, encouraging manner. I can’t say enough about the program and especially about Coach Alex . He has given our daughter a gift, self confidence and the love of tennis!
AH
My son has taken tennis lessons from many tennis camps, but Sea Colony was different. In tennis camps, there are many kids per each class, typically at least ten. What was amazing about Sea Colony – particularly Alex – was that he knew every student’s strength and weakness, including my sons. Each class session was actually more like a personalized tennis lesson. Â
DM
 “Oh Yes I like It” ~ BURR
KJ
 My Kids are in the Sea Colony Tennis Junior Program, and its definitely something to look into. Not only do they have Quickstart for my younger children, They also have Various levels of Pre Teen to High School Kids. This Allowed my son to start in something that was not overwhelming, and worked his way up to the higher levels. The Coaches are energetic and make it fun for the kids, Most of the time they use music during the sessions which is a great addition.
KE
I called a few days in advance for a one hour lesson and received excellent instruction and coaching from the Director of Tennis, Tom Johnston. He immediately asked what I wished to work on and during our hitting session he gave me the exact information I needed to improve my strokes. He also talked singles and doubles strategy which made sense to me right away. Â
GL
Sea Colony Tennis is the Greatest! From the Annual Breast Cancer Round Robin to the fabulous instructors. My game definitely improved after a weekend of instruction from Thomas and the entire staff. Will definitely return! Â
SP
Spend the weekend at Sea Colony for some tennis fun. I live just outside Washington DC and it was a short drive. Me and a buddy did a two day clinic, one day with Thomas and one day with Alex. I’ve been going to Sea Colony for a few years now and what a difference Thomas makes as the new Director. The atmosphere there is so much more professional and inviting and did I mention FUN! My buddy and are 4.0 players but they refined our games quickly and efficiently producing higher quality strokes and exposing weakness in our footwork that makes us much quicker on the court. We will be back, that is for certain. Anybody from the DC area, I highly recommend a weekend trip up there in the winter for some tennis. Â
AF
I have been going to Sea Colony for over 10 years and the tennis program has continued to be one of the strongest and most experienced in the area. The tennis staff is well-qualified and the reason I play tennis there. Throughout my entire time at Sea Colony, I have taken lessons from Assistant Director Pete Silverman. And, he is the reason that I will continue coming back there. Â
KH
Very experienced staff, who were patient and gave very useful,easily understandable instruction .
EM
My family has spent every summer for the past six years at Sea Colony, but this was the best year yet, due in large part to the improved tennis program. My husband and two children are avid tennis players and participated regularly in clinics, private lessons, and junior programs — all were top notch. While I am not a tennis player, I thoroughly enjoyed the cardio tennis classes, which were a great workout. The new tennis director, Thomas Johnston, is a big part of an overall commitment to making the tennis program one of the best in the country. I would highly recommend this resort to anyone who plays tennis, but particularly those with children who play, or are interested in playing, as there is a real commitment to junior players at all levels. There are a number of great young players coming through this resort on a regular basis, which made for terrific hitting partners and fun for my kids this summer. Coach Johston and all the pros take a personal interest in helping young players improve their games, build confidence, get in shape, while having a lot of fun at the same time.
MF
The lodging and tennis facilities are excellent. Staff is friendly and helpful. The tennis director, Thomas Johnston, is a highly motivated and motivating coach. He knows the game inside out and surrounds himself with very good pros. For example, one of my clinic instructors was Craig Wittus, a top US professional doubles player in the ’80s and an outstanding tennis coach.
MB
Great tennis instruction, very organized.
RG
Head Pro is a good manager and attends to everyone. The young tennis pros are great. Alex and Tim give great cardio classes. There is a nice variety to the offerings. Big improvement over the last few seasons at Sea Colony.
PH
We just returned from a 1 week stay at Sea Colony and thought the tennis program was terrific. My husband and I attended the 1 hour clinics focusing on different strokes each day. Our children participated in the afternoon clinics and my husband had 2 matches set up with other visitors to Sea Colony. We also rented the ball machine one day. The strengths were: quality of instruction, variety of programs and availability of programs. We thought Thomas Johnston, the tennis director and Lou, one of the pros were exceptional. There were no weaknesses- we thought it was great.
LG
The new tennis director, Thomas Johnston, is an excellent teacher and very up-to-date on the latest techniques in tennis. He is personable, fun and creates a friendly environment. Some of the youg pros who work there are likewise excellent in their tennis skills and interactions with clinets, in particular, Alex Justiniani, head pro. Pete Silverman always dows a wonderful job as well. The clinics are, for the most part, fast-paced and invigorating. Most (but not all) guests participate at the appropriate level.
TF
There was a lot of activity, with all ages and levels of participation. There were flexible hours and the instructors were readily available and talented.
MR
We are writing in order to thank Alex for his coaching of our 14 year old daughter. Alex worked with her almost daily during our week at Sea Colony. I am not sure what magic he was doing, but I suspect that it was great communication, patient coaching and a good alliance with her. Not only is her game greatly improved, she has a lot more confidence in her ability. Her tennis coach said that Alex should be congratulated–“she came back more confident and with a much improved forehand. — tell him thanks!” So Alex, thanks — You definitely helped her when she was starting to get a little discouraged with her game.
FF
The quality of tennis instruction was excellent. We participated in cardio-tennis and several clinics. My wife, my older daughter, and I are avid tennis players and we all thought we benefited from the experienced instruction. My younger daughter is a D-1 Collegiate Field Hockey player and doesn’t play tennis often. However, she was made to feel welcome and got a good workout from the cardio-tennis.
GM
Great tennis vacation. I was pleasantly surprises with the new tennis management team headed by Thomas Johnson who’s enthusiasm and dedication to the game is very inspiring. I attended daily tennis clinics which are well run and significantly improved comparing to two years ago when Sea Colony Tennis was under Dave Marshall’s management. Private lessons experience with Alex was outstanding. Great personality and professionalism. Overall the tennis program is outstandingly run by group of enthusiastic coaches. You will find your like with no problem. My children attended kids camp- great coaching by Tim and Lou. Sea colony is a great tennis vacation place for families sharing their passion for tennis. I would definitely highly recommend!
LB
This tennis facility is terrific. Lots of hard courts and clay courts, even lighted. I had no problems getting a court reserved, or finding players. The big TV screen in the pro shop even shows you what court you have reserved,and was also showing the French Open. One night I played on the clay courts, which look like they are new, or extremely well maintained. If you just want a good place to stay and play tennis, this is clearly it.
TD
Strenghts: very positive coaching style, focusing on things you should do, NOT things you shouldn’t do! Opportunities to correct the mistake immediately- very helpful.
KG
It was an awesome weekend of tennis outside of the windy, cold conditions we played in on the last day. All the pros were friendly, fun and helpful. Loved the goalie drill to improve on attack volleys. The retail shop could be improved but they are working on that.
CD
An outstanding, pristine setting with lots of tennis to go around. The courts are well maintained as is the landscaping of the resort with a private beach available for guests and owners. The tennis staff is talented and experienced and the combination results in a fun, well paced tennis program. My group was impressed with the depth of dinning options in and around Bethany Beach. After a weekend tennis camp I left with the feeling of having taken a well deserved vacation.
ME
I highly recommend Sea Colony for a great tennis experience.
LB
The program was well run and a good value. The staff was attentive and the instruction good. Would recommend to friends.
KE
As a casual player attending my first tennis camp I was a bit concerned that it would be over my head. Those fears were unfounded and I had a great time. Thomas and his staff of professionals were top notch and I came away with a lot of great tips to improve my game, as well as having a very enjoyable weekend.
HS
We really enjoyed our sea colony tennis weekend. We organized our girls weekend at Bethany Beach just a few weeks prior but Sea Colony was able to fit us in on Friday and Saturday afternoons for clinics despite having a full camp. We got a good workout while also tweaking strokes and the instruction was very good. I really appreciated the fresh approach as I had grown tired of the same instruction, drills, games etc.. under the previous management. I look forward to returning to Sea Colony and experiencing new programs under new tennis director Thomas Johnston.
JN
Sea Colony Resort is top notch! The staff is excellent! The facilities are beautiful, always maintained. The service, facility and the pros are the strengths of Sea Colony. I live in the area and play tennis 5 days out of the week at Sea Colony. Enjoy every moment of being in the Sea Colony atmosphere.
EM
Excellent
PO
This was my 3rd year attending Sea Colony for a tennis weekend with girlfriends. LOVE the new tennis pro Thomas and loved the clinics which were both fun and extremely helpful. Tennis pros gave wonderful individual instruction and also kept a very fun atmosphere. Can’t wait to return again next year.
LM
The Staff was very knowledgeable and accommodating. The clinic focused on increasing the efficiency of my stroke by changing/enhancing technique & also improved court positioning. Instructors are excellent at breaking down every step of the process and enhancing what you already know….and having a lot of fun. Sea Colony has an excellent combination of instruction and fun!
SD
Facility was great, the instructors were friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about improving our overall skill set and court knowledge. Three tennis playing members of our family were in attendance and all of us thoroughly enjoyed our time on and off the courts with the staff. We’ll be back again!
KH
Great tennis facility in a great resort community. Very friendly staff that even showed up in a blizzard! Took excellent care of us with the storm and everything.
PC
Excellent camp! Sea Colony Tennis provided a wonderful combination of instruction on technique and strategy and plenty of time to play points.
GM
Learned how to improve my game with detailed instructions (not the same old drill). All drills were new and really enjoyed the tennis instructions. We even came down in a Blizzard and everyone was wonderful. This was my first time to Sea Colony.
AM
Good weekend and good tennis. The only flaw was being placed with another large group far below our level. They got a great deal and the opportunity to play their game up. We were forced to do drills where some truly needed one on one instruction just to put the ball in the box, our game suffered, our instruction suffered and we all paid the same price!! Not to mention just plain rude behavior. I guess that’s how they roll in Philly!
MC
Instruction was very good while we were playing as our 4 person team. A little disappointing to have had to do drills with others who were at a lower level of play.
CJ
In the words of John McEnroe “YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!” We live in Philadelphia suburbs. We have pretty good tennis programs in our area. So, to bundle up the family to go to the famed SeaColony for tennis, we expect better than what we have at home. WRONG! Sea Colony is a has been. Maybe they used to have great clinics, but this August they were mediocre at best. Sorry, never again!
JS
I have attended the Sea Colony tennis program recently. This program is still one of the best. Other than Dave, all of the same pros are still there. working extremely well with my entire group. I found this experience to be as rewarding as those before it, and plan to return again.
PI
I recently visited Sea Colony for a 16 day vacation from London, England. As you will appreciate flying all the way from the UK (8 hours on a plane) you want to be pretty sure the resort you have chosen will meet your expectations otherwise you could be stuck with not only a poor location but 16 days wondering why you didn’t just head back to Florida, like I always do. I picked Sea Colony as I had read a very positive review in Tennis Magazine and the feedback from the reviews on Tennis Resorts Online convinced me that I should give Sea Colony a shot. As a traveling, slightly older, single player I have found that the Adult Tennis programs in the USA suit me very well but normally you have to sign up for a 3 or 5 day camp with 5 hours of drills a day and as I normally come to the States for at least 2 weeks this is fine but leaves little time or energy to enjoy your vacation. So the idea of as much or as little tennis as you want on a daily basis at Sea Colony really appealed to me. My first impression of Sea Colony was one of visiting a very large Tennis Club (like the ones we have in the UK that are used to train top rated juniors from the surrounding area) but with a very warm friendly welcome. The first time you meet Dave Marshall (Dr Dave) you immediately sense his enthusiasm for the game of Tennis. Dave absolutely lives and breathes tennis and has that depth of knowledge which immediately transfers a level of trust that what he is telling you will actually help. What is also clear is that the teaching Pros and in fact all of the Staff work ‘The Dave Marshall Way’. At every drill session and no matter which Pro you had, all the instruction was based on Dr Dave’s methods. From beginner to advanced Players, the instruction was not only clear and precise but demonstrated in a way that was simple to understand, simple to put into practice and very quickly produced a positive improvement in the stroke or tactic that you are working on. The flexibility of the Sea Colony program means you can have 3 hours of forehand drills on a Monday, play doubles with similar level players on a Tuesday and then do a one hour drill session on a Wednesday. It’s this flexibility which is the key to a Tennis vacation at Sea Colony. Throw in a 2 Day Weekend Team Tennis Tournament for residents and guests and you quickly understand that Dave and his staff are working flat out to provide as much tennis as people want. Another big advantage at Sea Colony is the indoor Tennis facility. There is nothing worse than traveling all the way to the USA and then being rained out. What is impressive is that not only do Dave and his staff take care of visiting vacationers and residents, there is also the ongoing legacy of the continued development of top junior players from Delaware and Maryland. There are certain things that I take for granted whenever I travel to America. You know the accommodation will be first class. You know the facilities will be first class. You know that the service will be first class. All of these are in abundance at Sea Colony and with Dr Dave Marshall and his Team you get not only great instruction, game matching, hitting partners, tournaments but unbelievable value for money. Is there a downside? Yes, 16 days is not enough! I will be back!
MM
I loved Dave Marshall’s Tennis Weekend Mini-camp. The instruction was exceptional! I learned great technique and had numerous opportunity to practice the technique all weekend during the clinic. I would reccommend this tennis resort to everyone!
LC
This was the third year that my team and I went to Dave Marshall’s camp at Sea colony. We love it! The teaching professionals a re great – friendly and knowledgeable enough to give you that one tip that really helps your game. The drills and games are fun and really help your game.
NM
I am neither a beginner nor a solid player. But my 5 days of clinics and lessons at Sea Colony were the best time I could invest in bringing my game to a respectable level. Dave and his team are incredible at tailoring their instructor and support to wherever you are. And that can be in a private lesson or a group of 10. You can be a true beginner or one of those players many of us watch open-mouthed. The facility is perfect, rain or shine, with beaches and biking just moments away for the off hours. I will be back again and again; if only to see Dave’s face smile as I improve!
HF
I have visited Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, Delaware, at least twice a year for the past decade. Generally I go with a group of 8-12 friends and we take weekend clinics with Dave Marshall and his staff. Dave and his pros do a great job of blending instruction and competitive drills to create a dynamic learning and playing experience. They also continue to develop and customize their program so it is always fresh. The pros are knowledgeable and a lot of fun. I highly recommend Sea Colony as my favorite tennis destination.
KH
I went to Sea Colony with 3 friends for some tennis and fun. While there, we took a group lesson with Dave Marshall – and consensus opinion was best tennis lesson ever. Dave quickly figures out what you are looking for and jumps right into the lesson – not a minute wasted, and no one remains idle. He has latest information and tips – not the same old stuff. He also has fun teaching – something you miss from many tennis instructors. And the last thing that impressed everyone was – he doesn’t let his students pick up balls – that’s handled by his staff. I like that philosophy of using every minute of the lesson on actual lessons. We’ll go back for the tennis.
JC
Not very well run disorganized
AW
My 2 daughters have been training at the Sea Colony Tennis resort for about 9 years so I can speak first hand about the outstanding teaching, training, and clinics available at this resort. Dave Marshall, the tennis pro who runs the facilty keeps everything prisitne. Never a thing out of place or dirty. He has the junior clinics set up so kids get to practice every swing and receive constant positive reinforcement. Little kids can’t miss the balls. The adult clinics accomodate all levels of ability. If kids show up with parents a break away mini clinic is set up for them; no tears here!. The private lessons for my girls have been with the same pro for many years now (Stephen Huffnel). He is infinately patient with kids and detail oriented. When my wife saw how good he instructed my gilrs, she started taking lessons with him too! I’ve had lessons with all the pros; all outstanding. In summary, Sea Colony Tennis is a wolrd class resort offering the best in tennis clinics and private instruction; very affordable. The staff is knowledgeable, patient, fun and always curteous. Equipment and clothing are available for purchase and rackets are strung professionally on site; never a lemon in 10 years; I buy a new racket every yr. Fridays there is a BBQ preceding the round robbins. There are no weaknesses to this vacation tennis resort!
PR
Top notch instruction! I brought 19 ladies to Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, DE for a weekend mini-clinic in early April. The quality of instruction was outstanding! Every player went home ready to deploy new proficiencies. Everyone is anxious to repeat the trip next year.
LO
Great instruction! I took a group of girls from our High School tennis team, they had a wonderful time. The instruction was terrific and all the pros were very knowledgeable. Dave Marshall has a great program, we are already planning a return trip.
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616 Reviews on “Sea Colony Racquet Sports”
In my opinion, the Sea Colony Tennis Camp is outstanding. The Pro’s are great at instruction and skill development. They not only lead one to enhancing ones ability and stamina, but they make it fun to as well. I really enjoy playing tennis and I believe that I, and everyone else, are improving their game with the clinics and lessons at Sea Colony. The Sea Colony Tennis Camp truly is an excellent place with great coaches.
I would highly recommend the Junior Tennis Program at Sea Colony. Our daughter was new to tennis, actually new to playing any sport, and after six weeks she could play tennis ! More important is that she was treated in a positive, encouraging manner. I can’t say enough about the program and especially about Coach Alex . He has given our daughter a gift, self confidence and the love of tennis!
My son has taken tennis lessons from many tennis camps, but Sea Colony was different. In tennis camps, there are many kids per each class, typically at least ten. What was amazing about Sea Colony – particularly Alex – was that he knew every student’s strength and weakness, including my sons. Each class session was actually more like a personalized tennis lesson. Â
 “Oh Yes I like It” ~ BURR
 My Kids are in the Sea Colony Tennis Junior Program, and its definitely something to look into. Not only do they have Quickstart for my younger children, They also have Various levels of Pre Teen to High School Kids. This Allowed my son to start in something that was not overwhelming, and worked his way up to the higher levels. The Coaches are energetic and make it fun for the kids, Most of the time they use music during the sessions which is a great addition.
I called a few days in advance for a one hour lesson and received excellent instruction and coaching from the Director of Tennis, Tom Johnston. He immediately asked what I wished to work on and during our hitting session he gave me the exact information I needed to improve my strokes. He also talked singles and doubles strategy which made sense to me right away. Â
Sea Colony Tennis is the Greatest! From the Annual Breast Cancer Round Robin to the fabulous instructors. My game definitely improved after a weekend of instruction from Thomas and the entire staff. Will definitely return! Â
Spend the weekend at Sea Colony for some tennis fun. I live just outside Washington DC and it was a short drive. Me and a buddy did a two day clinic, one day with Thomas and one day with Alex. I’ve been going to Sea Colony for a few years now and what a difference Thomas makes as the new Director. The atmosphere there is so much more professional and inviting and did I mention FUN!
My buddy and are 4.0 players but they refined our games quickly and efficiently producing higher quality strokes and exposing weakness in our footwork that makes us much quicker on the court. We will be back, that is for certain. Anybody from the DC area, I highly recommend a weekend trip up there in the winter for some tennis. Â
I have been going to Sea Colony for over 10 years and the tennis program has continued to be one of the strongest and most experienced in the area. The tennis staff is well-qualified and the reason I play tennis there. Throughout my entire time at Sea Colony, I have taken lessons from Assistant Director Pete Silverman. And, he is the reason that I will continue coming back there. Â
Very experienced staff, who were patient and gave very useful,easily understandable instruction .
My family has spent every summer for the past six years at Sea Colony, but this was the best year yet, due in large part to the improved tennis program. My husband and two children are avid tennis players and participated regularly in clinics, private lessons, and junior programs — all were top notch. While I am not a tennis player, I thoroughly enjoyed the cardio tennis classes, which were a great workout.
The new tennis director, Thomas Johnston, is a big part of an overall commitment to making the tennis program one of the best in the country. I would highly recommend this resort to anyone who plays tennis, but particularly those with children who play, or are interested in playing, as there is a real commitment to junior players at all levels. There are a number of great young players coming through this resort on a regular basis, which made for terrific hitting partners and fun for my kids this summer.
Coach Johston and all the pros take a personal interest in helping young players improve their games, build confidence, get in shape, while having a lot of fun at the same time.
The lodging and tennis facilities are excellent. Staff is friendly and helpful. The tennis director, Thomas Johnston, is a highly motivated and motivating coach. He knows the game inside out and surrounds himself with very good pros. For example, one of my clinic instructors was Craig Wittus, a top US professional doubles player in the ’80s and an outstanding tennis coach.
Great tennis instruction, very organized.
Head Pro is a good manager and attends to everyone. The young tennis pros are great. Alex and Tim give great cardio classes. There is a nice variety to the offerings. Big improvement over the last few seasons at Sea Colony.
We just returned from a 1 week stay at Sea Colony and thought the tennis program was terrific. My husband and I attended the 1 hour clinics focusing on different strokes each day. Our children participated in the afternoon clinics and my husband had 2 matches set up with other visitors to Sea Colony. We also rented the ball machine one day. The strengths were: quality of instruction, variety of programs and availability of programs.
We thought Thomas Johnston, the tennis director and Lou, one of the pros were exceptional. There were no weaknesses- we thought it was great.
The new tennis director, Thomas Johnston, is an excellent teacher and very up-to-date on the latest techniques in tennis. He is personable, fun and creates a friendly environment. Some of the youg pros who work there are likewise excellent in their tennis skills and interactions with clinets, in particular, Alex Justiniani, head pro. Pete Silverman always dows a wonderful job as well.
The clinics are, for the most part, fast-paced and invigorating. Most (but not all) guests participate at the appropriate level.
There was a lot of activity, with all ages and levels of participation. There were flexible hours and the instructors were readily available and talented.
We are writing in order to thank Alex for his coaching of our 14 year old daughter. Alex worked with her almost daily during our week at Sea Colony. I am not sure what magic he was doing, but I suspect that it was great communication, patient coaching and a good alliance with her. Not only is her game greatly improved, she has a lot more confidence in her ability. Her tennis coach said that Alex should be congratulated–“she came back more confident and with a much improved forehand. — tell him thanks!” So Alex, thanks — You definitely helped her when she was starting to get a little discouraged with her game.
The quality of tennis instruction was excellent. We participated in cardio-tennis and several clinics. My wife, my older daughter, and I are avid tennis players and we all thought we benefited from the experienced instruction. My younger daughter is a D-1 Collegiate Field Hockey player and doesn’t play tennis often. However, she was made to feel welcome and got a good workout from the cardio-tennis.
Great tennis vacation. I was pleasantly surprises with the new tennis management team headed by Thomas Johnson who’s enthusiasm and dedication to the game is very inspiring. I attended daily tennis clinics which are well run and significantly improved comparing to two years ago when Sea Colony Tennis was under Dave Marshall’s management. Private lessons experience with Alex was outstanding. Great personality and professionalism. Overall the tennis program is outstandingly run by group of enthusiastic coaches. You will find your like with no problem.
My children attended kids camp- great coaching by Tim and Lou. Sea colony is a great tennis vacation place for families sharing their passion for tennis. I would definitely highly recommend!
This tennis facility is terrific. Lots of hard courts and clay courts, even lighted. I had no problems getting a court reserved, or finding players. The big TV screen in the pro shop even shows you what court you have reserved,and was also showing the French Open. One night I played on the clay courts, which look like they are new, or extremely well maintained. If you just want a good place to stay and play tennis, this is clearly it.
Strenghts: very positive coaching style, focusing on things you should do, NOT things you shouldn’t do! Opportunities to correct the mistake immediately- very helpful.
It was an awesome weekend of tennis outside of the windy, cold conditions we played in on the last day. All the pros were friendly, fun and helpful. Loved the goalie drill to improve on attack volleys. The retail shop could be improved but they are working on that.
An outstanding, pristine setting with lots of tennis to go around. The courts are well maintained as is the landscaping of the resort with a private beach available for guests and owners. The tennis staff is talented and experienced and the combination results in a fun, well paced tennis program. My group was impressed with the depth of dinning options in and around Bethany Beach. After a weekend tennis camp I left with the feeling of having taken a well deserved vacation.
I highly recommend Sea Colony for a great tennis experience.
The program was well run and a good value. The staff was attentive and the instruction good. Would recommend to friends.
As a casual player attending my first tennis camp I was a bit concerned that it would be over my head. Those fears were unfounded and I had a great time. Thomas and his staff of professionals were top notch and I came away with a lot of great tips to improve my game, as well as having a very enjoyable weekend.
We really enjoyed our sea colony tennis weekend. We organized our girls weekend at Bethany Beach just a few weeks prior but Sea Colony was able to fit us in on Friday and Saturday afternoons for clinics despite having a full camp. We got a good workout while also tweaking strokes and the instruction was very good. I really appreciated the fresh approach as I had grown tired of the same instruction, drills, games etc.. under the previous management. I look forward to returning to Sea Colony and experiencing new programs under new tennis director Thomas Johnston.
Sea Colony Resort is top notch! The staff is excellent! The facilities are beautiful, always maintained. The service, facility and the pros are the strengths of Sea Colony. I live in the area and play tennis 5 days out of the week at Sea Colony. Enjoy every moment of being in the Sea Colony atmosphere.
Excellent
This was my 3rd year attending Sea Colony for a tennis weekend with girlfriends. LOVE the new tennis pro Thomas and loved the clinics which were both fun and extremely helpful. Tennis pros gave wonderful individual instruction and also kept a very fun atmosphere. Can’t wait to return again next year.
The Staff was very knowledgeable and accommodating. The clinic focused on increasing the efficiency of my stroke by changing/enhancing technique & also improved court positioning. Instructors are excellent at breaking down every step of the process and enhancing what you already know….and having a lot of fun. Sea Colony has an excellent combination of instruction and fun!
Facility was great, the instructors were friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about improving our overall skill set and court knowledge. Three tennis playing members of our family were in attendance and all of us thoroughly enjoyed our time on and off the courts with the staff. We’ll be back again!
Great tennis facility in a great resort community. Very friendly staff that even showed up in a blizzard! Took excellent care of us with the storm and everything.
Excellent camp! Sea Colony Tennis provided a wonderful combination of instruction on technique and strategy and plenty of time to play points.
Learned how to improve my game with detailed instructions (not the same old drill). All drills were new and really enjoyed the tennis instructions. We even came down in a Blizzard and everyone was wonderful. This was my first time to Sea Colony.
Good weekend and good tennis. The only flaw was being placed with another large group far below our level. They got a great deal and the opportunity to play their game up. We were forced to do drills where some truly needed one on one instruction just to put the ball in the box, our game suffered, our instruction suffered and we all paid the same price!! Not to mention just plain rude behavior. I guess that’s how they roll in Philly!
Instruction was very good while we were playing as our 4 person team. A little disappointing to have had to do drills with others who were at a lower level of play.
In the words of John McEnroe “YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!” We live in Philadelphia suburbs. We have pretty good tennis programs in our area. So, to bundle up the family to go to the famed SeaColony for tennis, we expect better than what we have at home. WRONG! Sea Colony is a has been. Maybe they used to have great clinics, but this August they were mediocre at best. Sorry, never again!
I have attended the Sea Colony tennis program recently. This program is still one of the best. Other than Dave, all of the same pros are still there. working extremely well with my entire group. I found this experience to be as rewarding as those before it, and plan to return again.
I recently visited Sea Colony for a 16 day vacation from London, England. As you will appreciate flying all the way from the UK (8 hours on a plane) you want to be pretty sure the resort you have chosen will meet your expectations otherwise you could be stuck with not only a poor location but 16 days wondering why you didn’t just head back to Florida, like I always do. I picked Sea Colony as I had read a very positive review in Tennis Magazine and the feedback from the reviews on Tennis Resorts Online convinced me that I should give Sea Colony a shot.
As a traveling, slightly older, single player I have found that the Adult Tennis programs in the USA suit me very well but normally you have to sign up for a 3 or 5 day camp with 5 hours of drills a day and as I normally come to the States for at least 2 weeks this is fine but leaves little time or energy to enjoy your vacation. So the idea of as much or as little tennis as you want on a daily basis at Sea Colony really appealed to me.
My first impression of Sea Colony was one of visiting a very large Tennis Club (like the ones we have in the UK that are used to train top rated juniors from the surrounding area) but with a very warm friendly welcome. The first time you meet Dave Marshall (Dr Dave) you immediately sense his enthusiasm for the game of Tennis. Dave absolutely lives and breathes tennis and has that depth of knowledge which immediately transfers a level of trust that what he is telling you will actually help. What is also clear is that the teaching Pros and in fact all of the Staff work ‘The Dave Marshall Way’.
At every drill session and no matter which Pro you had, all the instruction was based on Dr Dave’s methods. From beginner to advanced Players, the instruction was not only clear and precise but demonstrated in a way that was simple to understand, simple to put into practice and very quickly produced a positive improvement in the stroke or tactic that you are working on.
The flexibility of the Sea Colony program means you can have 3 hours of forehand drills on a Monday, play doubles with similar level players on a Tuesday and then do a one hour drill session on a Wednesday. It’s this flexibility which is the key to a Tennis vacation at Sea Colony. Throw in a 2 Day Weekend Team Tennis Tournament for residents and guests and you quickly understand that Dave and his staff are working flat out to provide as much tennis as people want.
Another big advantage at Sea Colony is the indoor Tennis facility. There is nothing worse than traveling all the way to the USA and then being rained out. What is impressive is that not only do Dave and his staff take care of visiting vacationers and residents, there is also the ongoing legacy of the continued development of top junior players from Delaware and Maryland.
There are certain things that I take for granted whenever I travel to America. You know the accommodation will be first class. You know the facilities will be first class. You know that the service will be first class. All of these are in abundance at Sea Colony and with Dr Dave Marshall and his Team you get not only great instruction, game matching, hitting partners, tournaments but unbelievable value for money. Is there a downside? Yes, 16 days is not enough! I will be back!
I loved Dave Marshall’s Tennis Weekend Mini-camp. The instruction was exceptional! I learned great technique and had numerous opportunity to practice the technique all weekend during the clinic. I would reccommend this tennis resort to everyone!
This was the third year that my team and I went to Dave Marshall’s camp at Sea colony. We love it! The teaching professionals a re great – friendly and knowledgeable enough to give you that one tip that really helps your game. The drills and games are fun and really help your game.
I am neither a beginner nor a solid player. But my 5 days of clinics and lessons at Sea Colony were the best time I could invest in bringing my game to a respectable level. Dave and his team are incredible at tailoring their instructor and support to wherever you are. And that can be in a private lesson or a group of 10. You can be a true beginner or one of those players many of us watch open-mouthed.
The facility is perfect, rain or shine, with beaches and biking just moments away for the off hours. I will be back again and again; if only to see Dave’s face smile as I improve!
I have visited Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, Delaware, at least twice a year for the past decade. Generally I go with a group of 8-12 friends and we take weekend clinics with Dave Marshall and his staff. Dave and his pros do a great job of blending instruction and competitive drills to create a dynamic learning and playing experience. They also continue to develop and customize their program so it is always fresh. The pros are knowledgeable and a lot of fun. I highly recommend Sea Colony as my favorite tennis destination.
I went to Sea Colony with 3 friends for some tennis and fun. While there, we took a group lesson with Dave Marshall – and consensus opinion was best tennis lesson ever. Dave quickly figures out what you are looking for and jumps right into the lesson – not a minute wasted, and no one remains idle. He has latest information and tips – not the same old stuff.
He also has fun teaching – something you miss from many tennis instructors. And the last thing that impressed everyone was – he doesn’t let his students pick up balls – that’s handled by his staff. I like that philosophy of using every minute of the lesson on actual lessons. We’ll go back for the tennis.
Not very well run disorganized
My 2 daughters have been training at the Sea Colony Tennis resort for about 9 years so I can speak first hand about the outstanding teaching, training, and clinics available at this resort. Dave Marshall, the tennis pro who runs the facilty keeps everything prisitne. Never a thing out of place or dirty. He has the junior clinics set up so kids get to practice every swing and receive constant positive reinforcement. Little kids can’t miss the balls. The adult clinics accomodate all levels of ability. If kids show up with parents a break away mini clinic is set up for them; no tears here!.
The private lessons for my girls have been with the same pro for many years now (Stephen Huffnel). He is infinately patient with kids and detail oriented. When my wife saw how good he instructed my gilrs, she started taking lessons with him too! I’ve had lessons with all the pros; all outstanding. In summary, Sea Colony Tennis is a wolrd class resort offering the best in tennis clinics and private instruction; very affordable. The staff is knowledgeable, patient, fun and always curteous. Equipment and clothing are available for purchase and rackets are strung professionally on site; never a lemon in 10 years; I buy a new racket every yr. Fridays there is a BBQ preceding the round robbins. There are no weaknesses to this vacation tennis resort!
Top notch instruction! I brought 19 ladies to Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, DE for a weekend mini-clinic in early April. The quality of instruction was outstanding! Every player went home ready to deploy new proficiencies. Everyone is anxious to repeat the trip next year.
Great instruction! I took a group of girls from our High School tennis team, they had a wonderful time. The instruction was terrific and all the pros were very knowledgeable. Dave Marshall has a great program, we are already planning a return trip.