The main industry in Craster is fishing but as the stocks of white fish declined due to the advent of large scale trawling the whinstone platform extending into the sea nearby provides lobsters and crabs with an ideal setting in which to thrive. Now these shellfish are harvested for most of the year. Just up from the harbour, is the mainstay of Craster's economy today - the smokehouse where kippers are produced. Kippers are smoked herring. The raw fish were formerly locally caught, but now come to Craster from the ports of north-west Scotland. To smoke kippers in the traditional manner takes between 12 and 16 hours. The season lasts from May to September.
The ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle can be seen from the village and is reached via a 1 mile coastal walk from Craster car park. About a mile from the village is Craster Tower, dating from the 15th century. This is the home of the Craster family, who have been associated with the area since before the Norman conquest. Howick Hall Gardens is a mile south of Craster. There is a network of paths through woodland and glades and the Earl Grey Tearoom for a relaxing cup of tea and a slice of cake. The rhododenrons provide an exquisite display of colour during the season.
Other places of interest within easy reach of Craster include: Castles at Warkworth - Dunstanburgh - Lindisfarne
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