The Definitive Guide to the Northern Outer Banks

Families visiting the Northern Outer Banks can enjoy a variety of activities, including exploring the area`s cultural and historical landmarks. The Currituck Lighthouse, located in the historic Corolla Village, is a striking landmark that stands tall against the Outer Banks sky, visible from miles away. Feeling energetic? Climb the 220 steps to the top and get a view of the Northern Outer Banks.

The Northern Outer Banks is a great place to enjoy the wildlife of the area. Birdwatching is extremely popular on the Outer Banks. You can see migrating birds in the winter months and birds returning to the warmer weather during the spring.

In the Historical Corolla Village, you`ll find the Currituck Maritime Museum. This museum highlights the rich history of boating through captivating stories shared by those who have experienced life on the water over the years. Visitors can explore stunning photography and videography, engage with interactive exhibits, and participate in educational programs featuring live demonstrations.

There are two ways to get to the Northern Outer Banks – driving and flying. The closest international airport is in Norfolk, VA (ORF). After landing in Norfolk, you will then head south on NC-168 and US-158. Part of the Northern Outer Banks includes the Currituck Mainland. Continuing south over the Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge, you will eventually see road signs pointing you to NC12 North. Turn left and continue Hwy 12 N (AKA Ocean Trail) through the towns of Southern Shores and Duck until you get to Corolla. At the northern end of Corolla, you will reach the 4x4. There are no paved roads here; only sand. A 4x4 vehicle is necessary to drive in this area. See the 4x4 Beach Details section below for more information.

The Northern Outer Banks is a great place to visit year-round. In the spring, there are still warm days, and the grass and landscaping are blooming. It is not as crowded, making it a little more peaceful. Many restaurants that closed for the season begin opening up.

The summer months are the busiest and most popular. There is plenty of sunshine, warm waters, and various activities like the 4th of July Fireworks. The ocean is perfect for all outdoor water activities as well.

In the fall months, the leaves are turning, it`s slightly cooler but there are all festivals and fall activities that your family will love. You will enjoy those sunny days hanging out on the beach.

Finally, winter. For those who cannot imagine visiting the Outer Banks in the winter, we are here to tell you it`s so relaxing! The water and air temperature are cooler but grab a blanket and sweatshirt and sit on the beach. The only thing you hear are the sounds of the waves crashing against the beach. Pure peace!

The Outer Banks continues to add more and more year-round events to provide fun things to do even in the winter and fall months.

The weather on the Outer Banks is traditionally mild year-round. The average temperature ranges from 38 degrees in the coldest month of January to a high of 84 degrees in July.

KEES Vacations has about 50 vacation rentals in the Northern Outer Banks. These homes range from two to 24 bedrooms. Most have a private pool, a hot tub to enjoy, are pet-friendly, and/or have a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, you can find some of our vacation rentals right on the beautiful Currituck Club golf course. All our vacation rentals are near stores, restaurants, historical landmarks, and of course the ocean or sound.

You can find your perfect KEES vacation rental in the following communities: Beach Club at Whalehead; Beacon Quarters; Beacon Villas at Corolla Light; Corolla Bay; Corolla Light; Corolla Shores; Ocean Hill; Ocean Lake; Pine Island; Soundfront at Corolla Bay; The Currituck Club; and Whalehead. Click the links to find properties in those areas.

KEES Vacations offers our Flex-Stay program where check in/check out date is determined by you, and you can stay for as long as you`d like.

There is a wide variety of delicious restaurants in the Northern Outer Banks. From seafood to pizza, there is something for everyone. The restaurants are family-friendly, and dining is pretty casual no matter where you go.

Many of the restaurants close for at least part of the winter and early spring, though a few do stay open year-round. If you do come during the off-season when some of your favorite restaurants are closed, luckily staying in the Northern Outer Banks is close enough to the other towns to enjoy one of the restaurants that do stay open year-round. Be sure to call ahead!

Some guest favorites in the Northern Outer Banks include:

• Agave Roja
• Corolla Village BBQ
• La Dolce Vita
• Lighthouse Bagels
• Mama Easley`s
• Mike Dianna`s Grill Room
• North Banks Restaurant and Raw Bar
• Northern Lights Bakery
• Sundogs
• Uncle Ike`s
• Urban Kitchen

You can explore locally owned shops filled with beautiful pieces inspired by the ocean. Stores like Ocean Threads and Island Bookstore feature everything from trendy apparel and accessories to books perfect for your Outer Banks beach vacation reading.

Forgot something for your day in the sun?
Many stores, like Corolla Surf Shop, Wings, and Kitty Hawk Kites offer sunscreen, beach towels, and beach toys. Be sure to pick up your OBX T-shirt or sweatshirt!

Corolla Village Market is a must-visit for unique gifts and locally crafted items that make perfect mementos of your stay.

There are a few fantastic shopping centers in the Northern Outer Banks:

• Timbuck II Shopping Village: This place features boutiques, gift shops, and restaurants. Here, you will find everything from clothing and accessories to souvenirs.
• Monteray Plaza: A family-friendly center offering a range of stores, including grocery options, toy shops, and clothing stores.
• Corolla Light Town Center: There is something for everyone at the Corolla Light Town Center. From local eateries, bars, ice cream, beach equipment, Adventure Horse Tours, shopping, arcade, mini golf, and even a bait and tackle shop. Be careful, you might never want to leave this fun place!

With some planning, a trip to the Northern Outer Banks can be quite affordable. Here are some ideas to help:

• Visit During the Off Season: Vacationing in the off season tends to offer lower rental prices.
• Book a Vacation Rental with a Kitchen: There are two grocery stores in the Northern Outer Banks: Harris Teeter and Food Lion. Stock up on groceries and cook meals at your vacation rental instead of eating out. We love to pack lunches and snacks for the beach!
• Take Advantage of Free or Low-Cost Attractions: A day at the beach, wild horse tours, and walking around Historic Corolla Park all offer low to no cost fun. It`s a small fee to climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, and a visit to the Whalehead Club and Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education are free. Outdoor activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, and paddleboarding are free if you have your own equipment. Rentals are also budget-friendly.
• Dining Deals: Many local restaurants offer early bird specials and/or kids eat free nights. Be sure to call ahead, visit their webpages, or grab a coupon book at the visitor`s center on your way down.
• Free Community Activities: Be sure to visit and find our local events pages for some free and/or low-cost family activities.
• KEES Vacations Payment Plan Options: Visit our payment plan options page to learn how to make paying for your trip easier.

Part of the Northern Outer Banks, north of the town of Corolla, are the 4x4 beaches accessible by driving a 4x4 vehicle. This 11-mile stretch of only sand includes Swan Beach, North Swan Beach, and Carova Beach and stretches to the Virginia state line. There is no access to or from Virginia from this area.

The 4x4 beaches are sandwiched amongst the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. You can find maritime forests and a marshy soundside in this area. The famous Outer Banks wild mustangs roam free in this area, which is their natural habitat.

Vehicles must have a county-issued Beach Parking Permit properly displayed to park on the beach from the last Saturday of April through the first Saturday in October. Visit the Currituck County website for permit information and for more information regarding beach driving.

Only four-wheel drive (4WD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles can be driven on the 4x4 beaches due to the fact it is all sand and no pavement. Using a tire gauge that you should bring with you, lower your tire pressure to about 15 to 20 psi. (You can lower the air at one of the air stations at the entrance of Historic Corolla Park.) All vehicles should have a bottom clearance of at least 7 ½ inches.

Feel free to stop by one of the air stations at the entrance of Historic Corolla Park off Corolla Village Road. You can refill your air at the Winks Convenience Store, a mile south from the beach area.

The best time of day to drive on the beach is during low tide. Check out the Outer Banks Tide Chart to determine when it`s best to go. You are allowed to drive during high tide although the sand might be a little softer making it more difficult to drive on. We suggest driving during the day. There are no lights along the beaches after dark making it difficult to see clearly. There might be items in the sand that you do not want to run into like debris and/or tree stumps. The speed limit is 35mph, but you must slow down to 15mph when approaching people or the wild horses.

Avoid driving through the surf as salt water is not good for vehicles as it causes corrosion. Drive along the firm sand near the water`s edge or on the softer sand closer to the dunes. Leave the middle of the beach for parked vehicles, which is where you should park if you do so. Make sure you look for signs that tell you where to start parking as there is no parking allowed in the first mile and a half. Do not block traffic with your beach gear and canopies. Finally, be sure to obey all the North Carolina traffic laws.

We recommend having a full tank of gas. There are no gas stations along the 4x4 beaches.

We propose bringing a tow strap, traction mats, and a shovel in case you do get stuck. If that is unsuccessful, there are two tow truck companies who can come help you out: North Beach Recovery and A1-Towing & Recovery. Be sure to have their numbers handy! There may be other beachgoers who will help you out as well.

We do not recommend walking along the 4x4 beaches from the paved road area. It can be miles before you find the horses and sometimes, they do not roam on the beaches and hide in the back roads. If you are trying to see the wild horses, we suggest reserving one of the organized horse tours.

There are no guarantees that you will see the wild horses when up on the 4x4 beaches, but you are more likely to see them in the spring, summer, or fall. Like us, they prefer to hide in the winter when it`s cold. If you drive your 4WD or AWD, you may get lucky to see one as you are driving. But there are several horse tour companies in Corolla where you can reserve a tour, and they guarantee to find the horses for you. If you do come across these beautiful creatures, it is against the law to get closer than 50 feet from them. Please do not feed them!

Actually, there are! Check out the Carova Beach Park which is about 9 miles from the entrance to the 4x4. Here you will find a public boat ramp, bathroom facilities, and a playground.

The Carova Beach Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is located on the 4x4 beach area about 9.5 miles (MP21) up the beach. As the norm, simply dial 911 for emergencies.

Carova Beach may lack roads, restaurants, and shops, but it offers stunningly beautiful beaches, free-roaming wild horses, and a truly perfect setting for a vacation.