The 2,600-acre Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Audubon Sanctuary and Center at Pine Island was the first Audubon center in the State of North Carolina. It protects a mosaic of marsh, sound, and forest in a region that was famed for waterfowl hunting and bass fishing and is now a popular vacation destination. The Center came to fruition when the National Audubon Society, through the generosity of Mr. Earl Slick and his family, received ownership of parcels of land on the Northern Outer Banks that now comprise more than 2,600 acres of marshes and uplands within a 5,000-acre area of the Currituck Sound.
Named for Audubon’s legendary board chair Donal C. O’Brien, Jr., the sanctuary protects marshes along Currituck Sound, bottomland areas, and dry sandy areas and upland maritime forests. Audubon is working closely with community leaders to develop a vision for this sanctuary and educational center that will offer visitors an array of environmental experiences, from exploring the vast expanse of Currituck Sound to studying the smaller wonders of nature.
Walking Trail – Open dawn to dusk.
Tours of the Center are by appointment only.
Staff:
Robbie Fearn, Director
Butcher Block offers the highest quality meats, local seafood, and Boar’s Head deli meats & cheeses. Johnny Davis, (owner/butcher), brings 30 years of experience, knowledge, and pure southern hospitality to locals & visitors, alike, to the Northern Outer Banks. Our grade “A” Angus steaks are cut to order to your specifications. We also offer fresh ground beef, homemade sausage, pork, poultry, & seafood fresh from the dock of North Carolina & southern Virginia. Butcher Block is the only place on the OBX that offers whole hogs for your pig-pickin’. So come on in & let us fill your grill! We guarantee you won’t find any better!
Group Yoga classes held on the beach at various locations. All levels welcome. Private lessons at the location of your choice(includes 4×4 beach). Visit Corolla Yoga’s website for a full schedule of classes.
Corolla Kiteboarding! The hottest water sport to hit the Northern Outer Banks! We have scoped out all the best spots to get you up & riding! From body dragging to learning new tricks, we’ll be right behind you following on jet skis. And if you’re at a higher skill level, we will be happy to show you around our home turf too!
Steve Hauser is a professional Outer Banks musician from Grandy, NC. He is a member of The Outer Banks Wedding Association and a recipient of Wedding Wire’s 2023 Couples’ Choice Award. Steve offers a variety of wedding and event services and packages to suit every couple’s unique needs. His extensive repertoire of acoustic guitar and vocal selections, scanning multiple genres, includes both old favorites and fresh new selections. He’s always willing to learn your special song, too. Steve looks forward to sharing in your special day and ensuring you have an unforgettable celebration.
The Wild Spanish Mustangs are unique to Corolla and Currituck counties, and you won’t find them in any other part of the world.
The only remaining wild herd left in the world, these horses are a must-see when visiting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The wild horses were originally brought here in the 1500s on Spanish ships. The shallow nature of the coast off of Corolla and the unpredictable sandbars have caused the area to be known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, and caused many a shipwreck. It is believed that the horses survived such occasions to swim to shore, making a new home for themselves, and they’ve been here ever since.
Whether roaming the sand-streets or enjoying the fine sea mist on the shores of Corolla, these horses are free to wander as they please. They stroll through neighborhoods and yards, pausing to nibble a bite of grass, sea oats, live oak tree leaves or persimmons.
Their legs are short, their bodies stocky and their fur fluffier than domesticated horses. Locals and visitors alike steer clear, out of respect and concern for their protection. Their diets are narrow and their health precarious; the slightest contact with humans can be lethal for the horses. This is why it is so important to never get closer than 50 feet from one of these beautiful creatures.
Although mild in personality, these horses are entirely untamed, and can be quite territorial. Stallions regularly break into battle over mares, food and resources, and visitors are well-advised to keep a healthy distance for fear of spooking one. Although smaller than most horses, they are still extremely strong, and protective of their fellows.
The best time to view these living artifacts is spring, from mid April to the end of May. This is the off-season, meaning that the beaches are less crowded, and it’s also the mating season of the horses.
Whether your stay is a day, a weekend or a month, make time to visit the 4×4 beaches and see if you can spot some wild horses. Better yet, take a wild horse tour or visit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, whose mission is to protect and preserve the herd, and also educate visitors and residents on their history.
