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If you are heading to Corolla in the Outer Banks this summer, then you should know that it’s all about the beach down there. However, as is the case with most places in the world, there is more to it than meets the eye. Let’s get to know this quiet little seaside spot before you embark on a trip that’s bound to be as relaxing as it is memorable.
Corolla is not a city
Corolla is not actually an incorporated city, but merely the name associated with the southern portion of the area known as the Currituck Outer Banks. Many housing subdivisions make up this area, but it does not contain any actual cities.
Corolla was the original name of a much smaller area around the Currituck Lighthouse, and eventually became the name given to the post office. Over time it has come to be what the whole region is called for simplicity’s sake.
There is water on both sides
Corolla is flanked by two different bodies of water. The Currituck Sound borders the west side of the peninsula, and the Atlantic Ocean borders the east side. You get the best of both worlds, with the rolling waves of the beach and the calm sound waters.
I recommend the sound if you are going to kayak. I witnessed a couple people attempting to kayak on the ocean, and it did not look like it was going so well for them.
Corolla has beach for miles
The beach in Corolla is huge, stretching wide and long! There is plenty of room for you to spread out and be nowhere near other humans. In the early morning, enjoy a walk and have the beach mostly to yourself as you watch the sunrise.
You can drive on the beach
At the northernmost part of Corolla the main road turns into a beach that can only be driven on by 4 wheel drive vehicles. This road actually leads all the way up to Virginia. However, it is gated at the state border and traffic is no longer allowed to pass through it.
If you have the correct vehicle, deflate your tires a little and do some exploring! How often do you get a chance to drive on the beach after all? FYI – you do need a permit if you plan to park on the beach and if you get stuck the tow will be a hefty fee of around $500.
Enjoy wild horse sightings
Wild horses live near the northernmost part of Corolla’s beach, after the road turns into sand. The area is gated off to prevent the horses from entering the more highly trafficked parts of the area where they risk being hit by cars.
The easiest way to see the wild horses is to sign up for a tour. We were able to see around 30 horses over just two hours! They keep to themselves and mostly just eat the grass, but it was great to take a ride on the beach and explore this area. Please keep in mind that it is not legal to get within 50 feet of the horses.
Corolla is not a foodie town
We had trouble finding good food options here, and it seems like most families cook at home for the whole week. While there were definitely some very nice restaurants, it seemed like you had to spend $30 or more a plate to actually find good food. The cheaper options we tried were very hit and miss.
Our favorites were Lighthouse Bagels, Joe to Go, Urban Kitchen, and The Shack Coffee Shop & Beer Garden. Of those, Urban Kitchen is the only one suitable for dinner, but the others are awesome breakfast/lunch/snack options! Duck Donuts is another favorite of visitors to the Outer Banks, but my husband and I found it very sugary and more suitable for children.
Check out the lighthouse
You can climb all 220 steps of the Currituck Lighthouse. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound at the top – just don’t look down! Read how I overcame my fears of climbing these stairs here.
Sand dunes are holding everything together
The sand dunes that line the beach are manmade, and was done as part of an initiative under the New Deal after the Great Depression to keep the Outer Banks from eroding away. You will notice the stabilizing fences and seagrass on top as you pass over the dunes to access the beach.
The dunes were added to keep the sand in place, as the island had been slowly moving west over time, and there was no protection from hurricanes or other storm related flooding. Even today the area still faces threats from Mother Nature, such as rising sea levels.
It’s not an island
As mentioned earlier, Virginia borders the Currituck Outer Banks to the north. This would actually make them a peninsula.
Corolla is a ghost town in the off-season
Rental properties make up the majority of homes in Corolla, namely humongous homes meant to rent to large families. Only about 500 people are actually native to this area, and the summer tourists can swell the population to around 50,000!
View glorious sunrises over the Atlantic
I saw some of the best sunrises I’ve ever seen each morning while we were there. Take an early morning stroll on a near-empty beach to truly enjoy the beauty of the sunrise over the ocean.
It’s not pronounced like the car
Oh yeah… I guess I should mention one more thing. Corolla is not pronounced like the Toyota Corolla, but rather “Cor-RAH-la”.
Do you love Corolla? What is something every visitor should know?
