Emerald Coast Poker Run

The Emerald Coast Poker Run is expected to return to Florida’s Emerald Coast in 2026, continuing one of the largest and most recognized charity poker run events in the country. Centered around the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area, the annual boating event attracts hundreds of performance boats, center consoles, cruisers, and recreational boaters for multiple days of poker runs, waterfront parties, marina stops, and charity fundraising along the Gulf Coast.

Hosted by the Emerald Coast Foundation, the event serves as the centerpiece of Emerald Coast Boat Week and supports children’s charities and youth organizations throughout Okaloosa County. Organizers state that the Emerald Coast Poker Run has helped raise millions of dollars for local charitable programs over the years while becoming one of the premier summer boating events in the Southeast.

The poker run traditionally features multiple checkpoint stops spread throughout the Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Navarre areas, allowing participants to travel between waterfront restaurants, marinas, and entertainment venues while collecting poker cards throughout the day. Participants typically visit five to seven stops before returning for evening poker hand scoring and final table competitions.

Over the years, popular stops have included locations such as AJ’s on the Bayou, Legendary Marine, Adventure Marina, Juana’s Pagodas, Two Georges Marina, MarineMax, Gregg Orr Marine, and several other Emerald Coast waterfront venues. Organizers also continue to feature large-scale evening events including Captain’s Parties, Poker Run Parties, live entertainment, bikini contests, raffles, gaming tables, and dockside social gatherings throughout Boat Week.

The event remains open to a wide variety of boats and boating styles, ranging from offshore performance catamarans and V-bottoms to center consoles, fishing boats, cruisers, and recreational pleasure boats. Organizers have repeatedly emphasized that the Emerald Coast Poker Run is designed as both a charity fundraiser and a boating celebration for participants of all experience levels.

The Emerald Coast Poker Run has become nationally recognized within the performance boating community and is regularly listed among the country’s major poker run destinations. Large numbers of participants travel to Florida’s Panhandle each year for the combination of Gulf Coast boating, emerald-green water, Crab Island gatherings, marina parties, and organized poker run activities.

Additional registration information, event schedules, stops, lodging details, and updates for the upcoming Emerald Coast Poker Run are available through EmeraldCoastPokerRun.com.