Four-wheel vehicles kicking up sand, wild horses grazing on sea grass, not a single person for miles and miles; sounds like a strange alternate reality but in fact, this reality exists in North Carolina. Drive to the tip top of the Outer Banks and you’ll be so lucky to find your own uncharted paradise in Carova.
Flickr / abbyladybug While North Carolina beaches are too beautiful to fly under the radar, some maintain that exclusiveness with hard-to-access and otherworldly aspects. Carova is an 11-mile stretch of beach located in the Currituck Region of the Northern Outer Banks. Here, you’re treated to a beach day, week or weekend unlike anything you’ve experienced.
Flickr / Jeff Self You know that feeling when you’re far away from home, from people who know you or from soil that feels worn down and unoriginal? In Carova, this beachside utopia is a place you can truly be yourself. Maybe it’s the fact you’re completely isolated on a hard to reach stretch of island, or maybe it’s from the lively community of beach-goers, vacationers and even some residents that you’ll meet. With four-wheel drive allowed on the beach, many drive along the sand letting their freedom flag fly high. It’s a place of mystery, unattainableness, and natural beauty mixed with a feeling it’s a secret yet to be discovered.
Flickr / Jeff Self Adding to the beauty aspect, much of the water here is pristine and blue. Occasional swells make it a popular surfing spot for the adventurous. Fisherman enjoy reeling in the day’s catch without nearby competition. Even the introverted sunbather can find peace and quiet.
Flickr / John Mcullough While many drive along the island in search of private sand, Carova is accessible by non four-wheel drive, there’s just a grand journey involved. Beach lodgings here range from a cozy beach shack to an extravagant 28-room lodge. If you and 20 of your closest friends want to get away for an adventure, this is certainly the place to do so.
Flickr / Jeff Self Sure, Carova does intrigue to those looking for a ‘private’ vibe, but in the more popular stretches be prepared to encounter many different walks of life. One aspect that makes this place so unique is that you CAN drive on the beach. While not a private island per-se, it’s a world away from our day-to-day. Got a rugged SUV you’re wanting to test the literal waters with? This is a great place to do just that - just be prepared and be cautious of other beachgoers. Also, the tide will come in eventually.
Flickr / Mike+Tiffy It’s hard to find peace and quiet these days, well, pretty much impossible. Here, it’s a great mix of accessible solitude mixed with a lively community and atmosphere. A long weekend here and you’ll be lamenting the drive back to ‘reality.’ While more popular OBX destinations often steal the spotlight, Carova is a place that is worth at least a one-time visit.
Have you visited Carova before? Any tips you’d like to share with first-time visitors?
Flickr / abbyladybug
While North Carolina beaches are too beautiful to fly under the radar, some maintain that exclusiveness with hard-to-access and otherworldly aspects. Carova is an 11-mile stretch of beach located in the Currituck Region of the Northern Outer Banks. Here, you’re treated to a beach day, week or weekend unlike anything you’ve experienced.
Flickr / Jeff Self
You know that feeling when you’re far away from home, from people who know you or from soil that feels worn down and unoriginal? In Carova, this beachside utopia is a place you can truly be yourself. Maybe it’s the fact you’re completely isolated on a hard to reach stretch of island, or maybe it’s from the lively community of beach-goers, vacationers and even some residents that you’ll meet. With four-wheel drive allowed on the beach, many drive along the sand letting their freedom flag fly high. It’s a place of mystery, unattainableness, and natural beauty mixed with a feeling it’s a secret yet to be discovered.
Flickr / Jeff Self
Adding to the beauty aspect, much of the water here is pristine and blue. Occasional swells make it a popular surfing spot for the adventurous. Fisherman enjoy reeling in the day’s catch without nearby competition. Even the introverted sunbather can find peace and quiet.
Flickr / John Mcullough
While many drive along the island in search of private sand, Carova is accessible by non four-wheel drive, there’s just a grand journey involved. Beach lodgings here range from a cozy beach shack to an extravagant 28-room lodge. If you and 20 of your closest friends want to get away for an adventure, this is certainly the place to do so.
Sure, Carova does intrigue to those looking for a ‘private’ vibe, but in the more popular stretches be prepared to encounter many different walks of life. One aspect that makes this place so unique is that you CAN drive on the beach. While not a private island per-se, it’s a world away from our day-to-day. Got a rugged SUV you’re wanting to test the literal waters with? This is a great place to do just that - just be prepared and be cautious of other beachgoers. Also, the tide will come in eventually.
Flickr / Mike+Tiffy
It’s hard to find peace and quiet these days, well, pretty much impossible. Here, it’s a great mix of accessible solitude mixed with a lively community and atmosphere. A long weekend here and you’ll be lamenting the drive back to ‘reality.’ While more popular OBX destinations often steal the spotlight, Carova is a place that is worth at least a one-time visit.
While here, you’re guaranteed to see a wild horse or two. Wondering just how they found their way to call this their forever home? Read our article on North Carolina’s wild horses.
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