4TH Annual Poker Run Attracts Hundreds of Boaters to Great Harbour Cay

This past weekend, May 2-4, the tranquil seaside town of Great Harbour Cay, in the Berry Islands, buzzed with excitement as scores of luxury powerboats, yachts and seaplanes gathered at the final destination of the 4th Annual Poker Run. 

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA), in coordination with the Bahamas Powerboat Club, hosted this premier event to give local and international boaters and boating enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the joy of navigating the pristine waters of The Islands of The Bahamas for a grand prize.

Parliamentary Secretary John Pinder commended the growth of the annual event, this year welcoming over 100 pre-registered powerboats and more than 2,000 international and local boaters.

“The Bahamas Powerboat Club is a driven organization that offers a premier experience for local and international boaters and boating enthusiasts and we are proud to have them as partners in our common goal to highlight all our islands have to offer,” Pinder said.

“This overwhelming response is a testament to the growing popularity of this event. It further highlights the vigor of our tourism industry, as we continue to showcase The Bahamas as a premier destination for thrilling experiences on land and sea.”

This year’s Poker Run saw captains go head-to-head on a sailing route from the Pointe Marina Nassau to the Berry Islands.  Specialty cards were collected along the route with the winning Poker Hand taking home a $10,000 cash prize. A Helicopter guided the route to the finish line, elevating the experience of participants and spectators into a truly unforgettable one. As the host location for this year’s event, Great Harbour Cay was poised to experience a significant boost in its economy with increased flights, heightened hotel occupancy, and additional employment opportunities for local residents.

BMOTIA Regional Manager Ahmad Williams, who has responsibility for the Vertical Markets said, “This Poker Run serves as a catalyst for growth and development in this market and additional events like this, spearheaded by the BMOTIA, such as our boat flings, fishing tournaments and private pilot fly-ins are key contributors to our tourism development strategy.”

“The Bahamas has a longstanding reputation as a boating paradise and with the tremendous potential and demand seen throughout the boating and superyacht market in recent years, we are courting it very vigorously,” he added.

Whether persons are planning a quick trip or a leisurely island-hop across multiple islands, The Bahamas’ crystal-clear waters and warm temperatures make it an irresistible destination for boating. Throughout The Bahamas, boating enthusiasts can find well-equipped marinas with all the boating and docking essentials for boats of all sizes and stays of any length. The Association of Bahamas Marinas also offers boaters convenient reservation and booking services available via call center, toll-free: 844-556-5290, or U.S.: 954-462-4591, or email [email protected] .