Introduction to Crisfield

138 miles SE of Baltimore, 54 miles SW of Ocean City, 135 miles S of Wilmington

The remote town of Crisfield, on the extreme southern end of the Eastern Shore, offers an insider's look at the lives of the watermen and the seafood industry. Crisfield was once known as the seafood capital of the world. Even though the industry has shrunk over time, crab and oyster packing remain major employers here, along with services for pleasure boaters. Indeed, the crab-packing houses now share the waterfront with dozens of marina slips for yachts, as well as plenty of new condominiums. For visitors, Crisfield and its neighbor, Smith Island, make a great launching point for fishing and boating trips on the deep waters of the southern Chesapeake.