The people of Doring Bay make a living from the packaging and export of crayfish and the town's economy is closely linked to the operation of the crayfish factory. Crayfish can only be caught for approximately 6 months per year.

During the closed season people live from the fish they catch or they work on farms in the area. Farmers in the area surrounding Doring Bay produce wine, grains, potatoes, citrus, Rooibos tea and farm sheep and ostriches (small scale).

The other big industry is diamonds. Transhex operates in the area and several diamond boats are anchored in the harbour.