Soft shell crab season begins in early summer. The crabs molt (shed their shells) in the shallow grass beds in the bay close to land. When the watermen’s boats come to the docks in Crisfield, look to see if you can tell the difference between the live hard crabs and soft shell crabs.
Photo By: Fin City Brewing
During the summer, check out Assateague Island State Park for hands-on bayside clamming and surf fishing programs. Then enjoy the surf and sun with the wild ponies.
Camp in a cabin beneath tall loblolly pine trees near the waterfront at Janes Island State Park. Paddle a water trail to visit remote pristine beaches and see saltmarsh dwellers like birds, fish, and crabs up close.
Photo By: VisitMaryland.org
Sample the small town charm of Berlin and Snow Hill with their art galleries, boutiques, cafes, shops and a craft brewery. A vendor rents kayaks on the Pocomoke River, where you can see a grove of unusual bald cypress trees that grow in the water.
Photo By: Clark Vandergrift
Time your visit to take advantage of Maryland’s unique seasonal festivals, such as the Annual Skipjack Races (a traditional oystering vessel) in Deal Island on Labor Day Weekend and while you’re there, take in the Skipjack Heritage Museum. Watch live Chesapeake Blue Crabs in a race to the finish line at Crisfield’s Hard Crab Derby, also on Labor Day Weekend, or catch a seafood festival, like the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in mid-July in Crisfield.
