Once a 19th-century hub for oystermen and crabbers across the Chesapeake Bay, Tilghman Island is today a quaint coastal village on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Residents appreciate boating and fishing in the bay's brackish waters or enjoying drinks and freshly caught seafood at local restaurants. Though Tilghman Island can be a popular market for vacation homes, there is also a tight-knit community of locals who live here year-round. "It's a quiet island. There are locals who have been here for generations and newer folks mixed in," says John McGlannan, a Tilghman Island resident, local business owner and Realtor with Meredith Fine Properties. "There are people who are still working and future retirees, and some people who even own second homes here." The community is about a half-hour drive from larger communities like Saint Michaels and Easton, and just over an hour from Salisbury.
Locals watch the fisherman returning after a hard day of work near Tilghman Island.
Tilghman Island is a great place for those who love water life.
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Boating, hunting and bay fishing around town
Black Walnut Point Fishing Area is a coastal park with rocky banks, and it's a popular spot for locals to go shore fishing and catch rockfish and blue catfish. Boating is very popular for residents, with motorboats, sailboats and yachts often whisking around the bay. The Tilghman on Chesapeake Yacht Club & Marina was built on Avalon Island, where the old Tilghman Packing Company was once stationed. Today, the club has seasonal boat slip rentals, picnic tables and a pool for members. Locals often take boats out for pleasure rides or to go fishing and crabbing for the Chesapeake Bay's famous blue crabs. Black Walnut Point Natural Resources Management Area is a 53-acre woodland park, popular for birdwatching, hunting or kayaking the water trail that loops around Black Walnut Cove.
The sound of waves at Black Walnut Cove greets locals and tourists on Tilghman Island.
Nature lovers can soak in Tilghman Island’s serene woodland beauty at Black Walnut Point Natural Resources Management Area.
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Modest coastal cottages and waterfront home options
Buyers can find coastal cottages, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes along narrow, small-town streets. Home prices range from $280,000 to $1.2 million, varying by location, square footage and lot size. Waterfront options typically start around $750,000 and often feature private docks. "The upside for Tilghman is the value; it's better bang for your buck with a lower price point compared to Saint Michaels, and it's a slower pace of life," says McGlannan. Potential homebuyers need to be aware that the community has a severe flood risk, especially for homes closer to the water's edge, and many residents opt to buy flood insurance.
Many homes in Tilghman Island have large yards.
Tilghman Island offers larger homes for those seeking space.
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Unique, family-friendly island events
The Tilghman Island Day Celebration highlights the lifestyle and culture of the local watermen. "A lot of these Eastern Shore towns were geared towards working on the water historically, and though many of them have changed and moved on from the oyster and crab businesses, we're still at it," says McGlannan. "The watermen are still here; we actually have the last working skipjack fleet in the nation," he adds, referring to the traditional sailboats historically used for oyster-dredging that are today the official Maryland state boat. Activities include a work boat race and docking competition, as well as crab-picking and oyster-shucking contests. Kronsberg Park is also the site of live music performances during the festivities.
The Tilghman Area Youth Association is a nonprofit that hosts family-friendly events like the Fourth of July Parade, Picnic and Softball Game, the fall festival called Spooktacular, and a Santa's Workshop event for Christmas.
Local fishermen pass off their day's catch on Tilghman Island.
A fisherman gets his rods ready at a local marina in Tilghman Island.
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Waterfront restaurants and the Country Store for local dining
Gina's at the Bridge is a waterfront bar and grill beside the island's drawbridge. Patrons can order fish tacos, crab cakes and craft cocktails from the restaurant's outdoor patio, which offers sweeping bay views. Blue Waterfront Restaurant is part of the Tilghman Island Inn, and has a seasonal menu of seafood, soups and sandwiches. The Tilghman Island Country Store offers convenience items, local wine and spirits, hot food and deli sandwiches. Residents can head to neighboring Saint Michaels, just 12 miles east, to grab groceries at The Village Shoppe.
Gina’s at the Bridge offers locals a cozy spot for drinks and dining in Tilghman Island.
Tickler's is a great place in Tilghman Island to eat a crab cake.
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Tilghman Elementary offers after-school programs
Talbot County Public Schools is the main district covering Tilghman Island. Students can attend Tilghman Elementary School, which gets a B-plus rating from Niche, and Saint Michaels Middle High School, with a B-rating. Tilghman Elementary features the Tilghman After School Kids Program, or TASK, where students are engaged in enriching courses, from gardening and cooking to STEM-centered programs like Crazy 8s Math Club.
Tilghman Elementary School on Tilghman Island gives students a great start to their education.
St. Michaels Middle/High School has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 and recieves an overall Niche grade of B minus.
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Close to Easton or Salisbury
Easton is a 23-mile drive along Maryland Route 33 and is home to Memorial Hospital, while Salisbury is 70 miles east and is the site of Salisbury Regional Airport. "The watermen who work here are local and have their sailboats docked in Dogwood Harbor," says McGlannan. "People commute to D.C., Salisbury and even Baltimore from here." Depending on traffic, commutes to Salisbury and Washington, D.C., take between an hour and a half and two hours.
Salisbury is just a short drive from Tilghman Island.
Tilghman Island is about an hour and a half to two hours away from Baltimore.
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Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
Photography Contributed By
Bryan Allen
Video By
Daniel Willingham
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Deborah Shiley,
an experienced agent in this area.
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Sinclair Ave. Tilghman Island. Clear level building lot with public sewer. This lot is ready for you to make your dream of island life come true.Enjoy the best sunsets at the end of the street at Sinclair Community Park .
*A Once-in-a-Lifetime Chesapeake Bay Waterfront Offering – The Iconic Tilghman Island Inn* NOTE: Has public sewer and well. Welcome to a rare opportunity to own one of the most beautiful, fully reimagined waterfront hospitality properties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Set on five acres with sweeping views of the Chesapeake Bay, the Tilghman Island Inn is that extraordinary blend of romance,
Tilghman Island. Clear level building lot with public sewer available. The perfect spot for your new vacation / retirement home. Excellent opportunity to make your island dream come true.
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