Carova Beach
Carova Beach
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
375 reviews
Excellent
293
Very good
52
Average
12
Poor
8
Terrible
10
Hira R
7 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Wonderful experience at Corova beach. We took our Telluride 2024. Followed the guidelines shared by locals, brought the air pressure down to 16, stayed away from the dunes and closer to the beach. Such breathtaking views and amazing experience. Even got to see 4 ponies by the beach. Loved every bit of it!
Written August 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark M
55 contributions
Aug 2021
This was our first trip to the 4x4 beaches and we loved it! Beaches were beautiful and it was awesome seeing the horses! Only complaint is people fishing the shoreline a little too closely to other families that are playing in the water. Also there were some idiots letting off fireworks on the beach one night, despite the multiple signs that it is illegal - risk of fire and scaring/harming the wild horses - just disrespectful. Kids got a kick out of the random discarded bumpers and other car parts left along the beach from those who chose to drive the beaches not properly equipped. We'll definitely be back, this was a great beach vacation!
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacy D
Mount Washington, KY38 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Love the dunes but not for the faint of heart. The drive on the beach is scary and I wouldn’t advise trying to do it without having a SUV or jeep. We started to drive to our house on night 1. It was getting dark. There were tree trumps on the beach and it was so scary we went and got a hotel-cost $250, when we had a whole house waiting for us. Next day went to grocery store loaded up on food and tried it again the it was morning. We were scared but did it and arrived at our house and stayed there the rest of our trip. Walking the trails, sitting in the sand, and at night sitting around our fire eating marshmallows. Great family place if you want quite and want to play games with your family.
Written April 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southern Globetrotter
29 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Imagine how exciting it was to return to OBX after surviving the pandemic only to spend a lot of money to rent a dump on Carova Beach. Avoid Sea What Happens handled by Twiddy Realty — nothing will be done to address the list of over 25 condition issues (the busted, out of order fridge pictured was visible as you entered the house … what original décor) except wait 4-6 weeks for a resolution because that’s their policy at a time when Tourism is begging for business during a time of hyperinflation.
The horses are stunning except for the tour groups hounding the herds along the beaches. This stallion was grazing near the house.
The horses are stunning except for the tour groups hounding the herds along the beaches. This stallion was grazing near the house.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina O
Norfolk, VA326 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Honestly if I have to share the beach with cars driving by I might as well sit on the street corner. Not a beach for my family looking for nature and quiet.
And the beach access is leading to massive erosion.
And the beach access is leading to massive erosion.
Written January 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jim m
Charlotte, NC7 contributions
My family and I just returned from Carova Beach and we had a great time. Below is some information that may be useful for anyone traveling there.
Driving on the beach: We were 9.8 miles up the beach. Unless you are prepared to get stuck, you will need a 4wd drive vehicle. Most AWD vehicles will not work because of the clearance, not the traction. During high tide you must drive close to the dune line and ruts in the sand can be 1ft or more deep. My brother-in-law drove a 2WD Yukon and got stuck twice on the way in. I pulled him out easily with my 4wd, but a tow truck company (A-1 Towing [--]) is close and often "patrols" the beach. He drove his 2wd out during low tide without any problems. Also, I initially lowered the air pressure in my 4wd vehicle to 20 psi (Infinity QX56) but once I refilled the tires on a trip into town I never lowered the pressure again and had no issues.
We had 5 young children with us (ages 2-8) and worrying about "traffic" on the beach was not really an issue. We did have to keep our eyes open and occasionally remind our kids a car was coming, but the drivers were courteous and overall drove fairly slow. Of course we were 9.8 miles up the beach, it may be more of an issue closer to Corolla.
Horses and wildlife: We saw wild horses daily when driving into town. We also had one wonder down the beach past our house and within 15 feet of me (see pics). Be advised, there are posted signs where you could be fined $500 for approaching any horses. We also saw groups of dolphins every day swimming and jumping just 100 yards of shore. My kids loved it! Because you are in a remote area, expect to see other critters as well. We had a 6ft black snake visit the deck of our house 2 days in a row. We also had a mouse living in the bottom floor of the house. There are lots of bugs in Carova (mosquitoes, flies etc.), but it was never really an overwhelming issue or made our stay unpleasant. Once we left the door open for a while and several mosquitoes got into the house. Another time my wife was reading on the beach after at dusk and she got a few bites from sand fleas or flies. So there are lots of bugs, but it wasn't a big issue for us as I've read it has been for others.
Cell phone reception: Those of us with verizon had good (not excellent) cell phone reception. Nextel and Sprint did not work at all.
Activities: We played golf at Kilmarlic and The Pointe Golf Club. It took us 1 1/2 hours to travel the 35 miles (10 on the beach). The Currituck Club is a closer course in Corolla but a round was $180 compared to $90 at the courses we played. Kilmarlic was a great course with a great staff and a newly constructed club house. I would really recommend it.
We also enjoyed a trip to TimBuck II (www.timbuckii.com) in Corolla. A large shopping center with lots of restaurants, shops and fun things for the kids to do.
We also visited the Currituck lighthouse in Corolla and went crabbing under the bridge at the park-like area on site. It was a great day trip and crabbing or fishing supplies can be bought at the shops across the street. On another day we also ventured in Duck for lunch and souvenirs. We ate at the Sunset Gille on route 12. Although the food was nothing special, the service and atmosphere was excellent.
Overall we really enjoyed our trip to Carova Beach. While I am not sure if it would be our ideal vacation spot every year, I would return again. My family has a hard time relaxing so we seemed to head into town every day, which took 45 minutes one way. If you are looking for a place to bunker down and relax, you will really enjoy it. If you can't sit still like me, you may be better off staying in Duck or Corolla and then visiting the 4wd drive area. There are plenty of places to rent 4wd jeeps if you don't have one.
I hope this helped. I would be happy to answer any specific quesions -- just send me an email.
Have a great vacation!
Jim
Driving on the beach: We were 9.8 miles up the beach. Unless you are prepared to get stuck, you will need a 4wd drive vehicle. Most AWD vehicles will not work because of the clearance, not the traction. During high tide you must drive close to the dune line and ruts in the sand can be 1ft or more deep. My brother-in-law drove a 2WD Yukon and got stuck twice on the way in. I pulled him out easily with my 4wd, but a tow truck company (A-1 Towing [--]) is close and often "patrols" the beach. He drove his 2wd out during low tide without any problems. Also, I initially lowered the air pressure in my 4wd vehicle to 20 psi (Infinity QX56) but once I refilled the tires on a trip into town I never lowered the pressure again and had no issues.
We had 5 young children with us (ages 2-8) and worrying about "traffic" on the beach was not really an issue. We did have to keep our eyes open and occasionally remind our kids a car was coming, but the drivers were courteous and overall drove fairly slow. Of course we were 9.8 miles up the beach, it may be more of an issue closer to Corolla.
Horses and wildlife: We saw wild horses daily when driving into town. We also had one wonder down the beach past our house and within 15 feet of me (see pics). Be advised, there are posted signs where you could be fined $500 for approaching any horses. We also saw groups of dolphins every day swimming and jumping just 100 yards of shore. My kids loved it! Because you are in a remote area, expect to see other critters as well. We had a 6ft black snake visit the deck of our house 2 days in a row. We also had a mouse living in the bottom floor of the house. There are lots of bugs in Carova (mosquitoes, flies etc.), but it was never really an overwhelming issue or made our stay unpleasant. Once we left the door open for a while and several mosquitoes got into the house. Another time my wife was reading on the beach after at dusk and she got a few bites from sand fleas or flies. So there are lots of bugs, but it wasn't a big issue for us as I've read it has been for others.
Cell phone reception: Those of us with verizon had good (not excellent) cell phone reception. Nextel and Sprint did not work at all.
Activities: We played golf at Kilmarlic and The Pointe Golf Club. It took us 1 1/2 hours to travel the 35 miles (10 on the beach). The Currituck Club is a closer course in Corolla but a round was $180 compared to $90 at the courses we played. Kilmarlic was a great course with a great staff and a newly constructed club house. I would really recommend it.
We also enjoyed a trip to TimBuck II (www.timbuckii.com) in Corolla. A large shopping center with lots of restaurants, shops and fun things for the kids to do.
We also visited the Currituck lighthouse in Corolla and went crabbing under the bridge at the park-like area on site. It was a great day trip and crabbing or fishing supplies can be bought at the shops across the street. On another day we also ventured in Duck for lunch and souvenirs. We ate at the Sunset Gille on route 12. Although the food was nothing special, the service and atmosphere was excellent.
Overall we really enjoyed our trip to Carova Beach. While I am not sure if it would be our ideal vacation spot every year, I would return again. My family has a hard time relaxing so we seemed to head into town every day, which took 45 minutes one way. If you are looking for a place to bunker down and relax, you will really enjoy it. If you can't sit still like me, you may be better off staying in Duck or Corolla and then visiting the 4wd drive area. There are plenty of places to rent 4wd jeeps if you don't have one.
I hope this helped. I would be happy to answer any specific quesions -- just send me an email.
Have a great vacation!
Jim
Written July 23, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hburgref
Charlottesville, VA1 contribution
Unless your perfect vacation involves parking in the median of a very busy devided highway and constantly being harrassed by local law enforcementr STAY AWAY!!! We have been vacationing here for years and this year the local deputies have decided for the first time ever to enforce a local ordinance put on the books in 1986. We love Carova Beach but have constantly been harassed by local deputies making us park accross a very busy roadway on the beach putting our small children in grave danger at every moment. It would not be so bad if they also enforced the 15 MPH speed limit but apparently that law is not important to local officers. It certainly appears that the local government officials, who obviously don't have small children, have absolutly NO concern for the safety of the visiting vacationers who pour thousands of dollars into their local economy. It truely is unfortunate that such a beautiful place to vacation is being ruined and made copletely unsafe by Barney Fife and his fellow one bullet band of wanna be officers. If you have children that love to SAFELY play on the beach under your close supervision you no longer want to choose Carova Beach as your destination!
Written June 9, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy D
Outer Banks, NC49 contributions
May 2013 • Family
Some can say I am a bit partial to this wild stretch of beach with its abundant wildlife and pristine beaches, estuaries and sound.
I could write a book on its beauty and the wild horses alone. But I choose to write this review for all you who may be planning a visit to our paradise.
Please for the sake of all that is holy, be respectful. Follow the rules which are posted before you enter the beach. Use the internet and educate yourself on the rules and regs before coming. Just google Currituck County and Corolla Wild Horse and read before coming.
Drive with caution when you enter the beach, no need to rush, it is not going anywhere. There are speed limits and the beach is both a playground for kids and dogs and horses as well as a roadway. And it is not your own personal roadway. Air down your tires, it is not a big deal to get air when you get back off the beach but you save your engine, the possibility of getting stuck and our beach and roads by not giving them the washboard rut effect from your overfilled tires. Turn off the a/c and enjoy the ocean breeze as you "slowly" traverse down the beach.
Don't drink alcohol and think it is okay to drive just cause you are on the beach and not the interstate.
Be respectful, take your trash with you.
Be respectful of others, just cause you saved all year and paid a lot of $$ for your vacation does not give you the right to be rude, low-class or think you are entitled. You are not.
Don't feed the horses, don't harass the horses, don't think it is cute to get close and take pics with the horses. Again, educate yourself and follow the rules. We have lost so many innocent creatures to tourists lack of common sense and respect. Just last year a self-entitled, low-class, speeding lady from Maryland decided to take out a beautiful stallion named Two Socks. Oh, and in addition, he suffered greatly because of her lack of respect.
If you own a jacked up, rednecking diesel smoking four wheel drive truck, then good for you! That is awesome and we love that you love your truck. I have seen some pretty sweet looking ones. BUT....do not use that giant vehicle to show off by digging holes, doing donuts or otherwise destroying the beach. Your giant clouds of black diesel smoke are not attractive nor are they exactly healthy to breathe.
Oh, for all you that don't know how to read, make sure to read the signs before you turn in or off somewhere. Not every road over a dune is public. there is refuge roads and then there is private property. You are not allowed on either. Read and respect the signs. You never know what you might encounter at the other end of that private road you just decided to trespass on. That sign that warns you that the owner possesses shotgun is there for a reason. Think about it.
Please be kind to the waiters and waitresses and sales clerks. They don't get paid a lot, the cost of living here is high and the least you can do is tip well, don't be a scrooge and smile and be kind to them. Remember, if they weren't here serving you, you wouldn't be coming here. Again, your vacation rental price does not cover the cost of a tip or being nice, that is ala carte.
Oh, and one more thing, get your grocery list on paper before you hit the store. Don't stand there with your whole family debating what brand of BBQ sauce to buy while those of us who work are trying to get our groceries and get out in under two hours. Better yet, leave the family at the cottage and only take two people to shop, that is all you need. Help stop the barbaric sport of 'group food shopping'.
Again, respect, revere and relax.
I could write a book on its beauty and the wild horses alone. But I choose to write this review for all you who may be planning a visit to our paradise.
Please for the sake of all that is holy, be respectful. Follow the rules which are posted before you enter the beach. Use the internet and educate yourself on the rules and regs before coming. Just google Currituck County and Corolla Wild Horse and read before coming.
Drive with caution when you enter the beach, no need to rush, it is not going anywhere. There are speed limits and the beach is both a playground for kids and dogs and horses as well as a roadway. And it is not your own personal roadway. Air down your tires, it is not a big deal to get air when you get back off the beach but you save your engine, the possibility of getting stuck and our beach and roads by not giving them the washboard rut effect from your overfilled tires. Turn off the a/c and enjoy the ocean breeze as you "slowly" traverse down the beach.
Don't drink alcohol and think it is okay to drive just cause you are on the beach and not the interstate.
Be respectful, take your trash with you.
Be respectful of others, just cause you saved all year and paid a lot of $$ for your vacation does not give you the right to be rude, low-class or think you are entitled. You are not.
Don't feed the horses, don't harass the horses, don't think it is cute to get close and take pics with the horses. Again, educate yourself and follow the rules. We have lost so many innocent creatures to tourists lack of common sense and respect. Just last year a self-entitled, low-class, speeding lady from Maryland decided to take out a beautiful stallion named Two Socks. Oh, and in addition, he suffered greatly because of her lack of respect.
If you own a jacked up, rednecking diesel smoking four wheel drive truck, then good for you! That is awesome and we love that you love your truck. I have seen some pretty sweet looking ones. BUT....do not use that giant vehicle to show off by digging holes, doing donuts or otherwise destroying the beach. Your giant clouds of black diesel smoke are not attractive nor are they exactly healthy to breathe.
Oh, for all you that don't know how to read, make sure to read the signs before you turn in or off somewhere. Not every road over a dune is public. there is refuge roads and then there is private property. You are not allowed on either. Read and respect the signs. You never know what you might encounter at the other end of that private road you just decided to trespass on. That sign that warns you that the owner possesses shotgun is there for a reason. Think about it.
Please be kind to the waiters and waitresses and sales clerks. They don't get paid a lot, the cost of living here is high and the least you can do is tip well, don't be a scrooge and smile and be kind to them. Remember, if they weren't here serving you, you wouldn't be coming here. Again, your vacation rental price does not cover the cost of a tip or being nice, that is ala carte.
Oh, and one more thing, get your grocery list on paper before you hit the store. Don't stand there with your whole family debating what brand of BBQ sauce to buy while those of us who work are trying to get our groceries and get out in under two hours. Better yet, leave the family at the cottage and only take two people to shop, that is all you need. Help stop the barbaric sport of 'group food shopping'.
Again, respect, revere and relax.
Written May 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Big J
Goldsboro, NC4 contributions
Sep 2014
I have been to every corner of the obx. Carova is the absolute worst. The idea of it is great. Drive on the beach to your quiet house with horses, but it's not like that. Its more like a beach turned into an off raid park. Nobody drives the speed limit and there are not designated traffic lanes. Trucks everywhere going 50 mph. The only thing worse than the tourist traffic is the horse chasers in humvees with 20 people packed in. This is the worst beach in America. I couldn't relax because I was worried about my kids getting run over. I will never ever go there again.
Written November 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim C
Chesapeake, VA10 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
This place is awful. Too many people on the beach. Our fishing poles got ran over by some redneck in a jacked up old truck. My kids got yelled at by some fake horse police people. We heard coyotes at night and saw big wild pigs running around peoples yards. Yes, the horses are cool, but one peed and pooped under our rental house and the entire house over the entire week smelled like a crap filled barn yard. Locals seem to dislike tourists, as I waved at several people only to be met with scowls. I haven't even started on the getting stuck in the sand part, just trying to get to the house. Our house's ice machine was broken and we had to drive literally 1 hour one way to pick up some basics. The bugs were vicious, take some Benadryl and the highest DEET bug repellent you can find. We were attracted by the desolation, but were repelled by the lack of friendly people, the bugs, the animals, the traffic, the lack of nearby stores, and the thick soft sand that buries 4x4 vehicles. Thanks, I'll go to another beach and I suggest you do the same.
Written November 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Id like to meet my family at Caribs beach but hate to ask them to drive to Corolla to meet me. Are there taxis or tour companies who will drop you off about 3-4 miles up the beach?
Written August 6, 2021
Where do you get ice to fill the coolers? We will have 15+ people and the only place I saw that has ice is the fire dept
Written May 9, 2021
I would like to find a nice place to stay between va beach and outer banks nc for one night august 31, 2019
Written August 25, 2019
We are traveling to Carova to stay for the week with several other family members. They have 4x4 vehicles and we do not. Last year the realty company we used had a place to park our non 4x4 vehicles and this year my sister rented from someone who does not offer parking. Where can we park our car for the week? I am sure we will have to pay I am just not sure where to park or how to find it. The only threads I can find are very old. Thanks!
Written July 12, 2018
Will an AWD Ford Edge with good clearance be ok to get to our place on Sandfiddler Road? Thanks!!!
Written March 27, 2018
Questionable depending how far back this road is....on the beach you should have no problem but when you go off the beach the sand can be unforgiving. We have had trouble in our four wheel drive truck with the loose sand and steep hills. We just returned from OBX ocean sands area and the beach still was not cleaned up from the storms. Lots of wood debris on the beach still.
Written March 27, 2018
We had no trouble finding the horses among the houses behind the dunes. As another response says be careful of the water holes as some are quite deep and will swamp your vehicle. A 4wheel drive is a must. If you are staying on the beach you have no worries about seeing the horses as early in the morning you will see them in your front (or back) yard and on the dunes. Also remember you are not allowed within 50 feet of them and yes there are horse police!
Written February 9, 2018
kymberlykaye
Baltimore, Maryland
Can you bring you boat to one of there house on the beach or is there a Marina you can keep it!??
Written January 1, 2018
You might pose this question to Corolla Outback Adventures. They would know. Look up the phone number and give them a call.
Written February 14, 2018
We are renting a house on Carova Beach in October and wondered if we could do some clamming? I see info for other beaches but not Carova. Any advice would be appreciated.
Written September 27, 2017
I would doubt it. The beach is protected due to the wild horses. I would imagine there is a restriction on the water access as well. I would check with NC Wildlife Resources Commission 888-247-6834.
Written September 28, 2017
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