Located at the northern end of the Outer Banks and just under the Virginia state line, Carova Beach represents one of the last stretches of pristine beach in the area. “The beaches are just beautiful, and completely natural still,” says Scott Wheeler, real estate agent and longtime resident of the area. “It’s rare to find a place that’s still so undisturbed and undeveloped, even down to the sandy roads you drive on.” With miles of unpaved beach, relatively few structures spoiling the natural beauty, and the area’s famous roaming wild horses, Carova Beach is a unique slice of rural coastal life.
An aerial of the sand roads leading into the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
A large water tower on the outskirts of the Carova beach area of the Outer Banks.
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Miles of pristine, private Outer Banks coastline
“The beach is the biggest draw to the area,” says Wheeler. “Everybody staying here has their own private slice of the beach, basically.” With no paved roads either in the neighborhood or leading into it, the area exudes a sense of seclusion along with its classic coastal style. This seclusion serves the natural beauty of the area well, allowing residents and visitors to drive their vehicle along unspoiled beach right next to the wild Banker horses. Those looking for a bit more greenery will find it at Carova’s Currituck Banks Reserve, an area featuring numerous nature trails that take hikers through some of the most beautiful vistas around. Outdoors activities are a hit in Carova as well, with the area providing ample opportunities for hunting, fishing, and bird watching.
The Currituck Beach lighthouse near the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
There are beautiful walking trails on the mile and a half Currituck Banks Reserve in Carova.
A walker enjoying the beautiful ocean in the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
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Few full-time residents, lots of space
Housing in Carova is relatively sparse, with the number of full-time residents being even more so—something that adds to the peaceful nature of the area. “It’s a lot of vacationers mostly, so it’s really only busy during certain months of the year,” says Wheeler. “Otherwise, it’s very quiet and secluded.” Homes in the area are mostly made up of large, new traditional style and craftsmans—all of which have distinct oceanfront features, such as stilts and wraparound decks. These four-to-five-bedroom homes typically range in price from $700,000 to $1.65 million, though homes directly on the waterfront can go for higher. The neighborhood also has many empty lots for sale, with prices ranging from $30,000 to $250,000—though, once again, lots directly on the waterfront can go for much higher.
A colorful multi level beach home in the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
A few two level homes line the beach in the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
The homes are spread out nicely in the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
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Beach weddings, horse spotting, and surfing
Like any good beach, the area comes to life during the summer months. With an annual influx of beachgoers, Carova Beach makes for an excellent place to catch some waves—with over 11 miles of beach and breaks to take advantage of. Tying the knot is a popular event at Carova Beach as well, with the area being one of the most popular around for weddings (and wedding photographers). Guided tours are available for those wanting to catch a glimpse of the area’s wild horses, and general beach activity of all kinds can be enjoyed in an almost-private slice of the coast.
A tourist putting her camera to work in the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
The wild horses roaming the beach attract many to the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
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Unique shops and eateries in nearby Corolla
Seclusion doesn’t mean zero options when it comes to places to grab a bite to eat or do some shopping. Residents of Carova can head to nearby Pass the Salt Café, a charming sandwich shop with historic vibes. Similarly, residents can head to nearby Corolla Village and visit the historic Corolla Village Market for unique coastal treasures. For even more variety, Timbuck II Shopping Village features several shops and restaurants to choose from.
Uncle Ike's restaurant near the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
The Super Wings store near the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
Food Lion is one of two grocery stores near the Carova area of the Outer Banks.
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Carova students make music happen
Students in Carova Beach can begin their education at Knotts Island Elementary, then move on to Currituck County Middle and Currituck County High schools. According to Niche, the schools earned scores of B-plus, B-minus, and B, respectively. Students interested in band will be happy to know that Currituck County High’s band is a superior-rated program with all-district and all-state honors among its achievements.
The Currituck County High School sign where students from Carova and Corolla attend.
The Currituck County Middle School where Carova area students attend in the Outer Banks.
Currituck County High School knights are known for their wining various athletics programs.
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Located approximately three miles up the beach, this 5th-row lot at 1631 Sandfiddler Rd in Swan Beach offers the perfect blend of accessibility, elevation, and natural beauty. Situated in the X flood zone, above the 500-year floodplain, this mostly cleared homesite provides added peace of mind for future development, while an elevated build could capture sweeping ocean views. A 10-foot easement
Located approximately three miles up the beach, this 5th-row lot at 1631 Sandfiddler Rd in Swan Beach offers the perfect blend of accessibility, elevation, and natural beauty. Situated in the X flood zone, above the 500-year floodplain, this mostly cleared homesite provides added peace of mind for future development, while an elevated build could capture sweeping ocean views.A 10-foot
Enjoy brand-new coastal living in this thoughtfully designed home at 2337 False Cape Rd, located in the secluded Carova Beach subdivision, one of the northernmost and most secluded communities of Corolla, North Carolina. This new construction offers 1,152 sq/ft of living space in the main house, plus an additional 368 sq/ft in a partially finished ground-level apartment-with a mini-split system,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Robert Ladd,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
726
Median Age
60
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
9.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
40.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$83,673
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$107,904
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.9%
College Graduates
49.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16.9%
% Population in Labor Force
44.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
42/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
5/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
