Creative Catering by Wanda offers a taste of pure southern hospitality for your event. We have over twenty years of cooking experience and many more years in the hospitality field. We smoke Eastern NC BBQ, char-grill steaks and succulent prime rib, smoke brisket, saute and fry local seafood, chicken and our award winning crab cakes. We incorporate local vegetables and fruits with each menu with a farmer to fork menu.
- Mini Golf
- Corolla Raceway
- Kite Flying
- Educational Programs
- Wild Horses of Corolla
- Dennis Anderson’s Muddy Motor Sports
- Crabbing in the Currituck Sound
- Kayak Tours
- Family Photo Opportunities
- The S.E.A.L. Program
- If you see red flags flying, this indicates that a rip current has been spotted, or due to the conditions in the water, a rip current is likely. If you find yourself caught in a rip current, do not panic, swim out of the current, parallel to the shoreline.
- Always swim near a lifeguard. If you need assistance, wave your arms for help. You should never swim alone.
- Do not enter the water if you do not know how to swim.
- …I get caught in a rip current? Stay calm and try not to panic. Don’t try to swim directly to shore; swim out of the current in a direction parallel to the shoreline and slowly work your way back to the beach at an angle. For a great explanation on how to escape a rip current, check out the video below:
- …I lose my child? Locate a lifeguard who will use radios to communicate a description of your child. Stay with that lifeguard; he or she is your liaison with all other rescue personnel. Send a family member back to your house, if it is within walking distance, to determine if your child is there.
To prevent or minimize such a situation from happening, parents should discuss with their children beach safety and the importance of maintaining visual contact with one another. Make sure everyone knows where they are staying, including the house name. Put a bracelet on smaller children with all pertinent contact information. - …I get stung by a jelly fish? A normal reaction to a jelly fish sting is red welts and sometimes itching or stinging. Unless you are experiencing difficulty breathing or are breaking out in hives, your reaction is typical and the best thing to do is apply heat and/or ammonia to break down the proteins in the venom. Do not scrub the sting with sand; this only agitates the stingers. If you do experience any difficulty breathing or any other adverse reaction, contact a lifeguard or call 9-1-1 immediately.
- …I see a shark? Shark sightings at the Outer Banks are extremely rare. But if you think you see a shark, DO NOT yell “SHARK!” like they do in the movies. That’s like yelling “FIRE!” in a movie theater. You would do nothing but incite panic. In all probability, it is not a shark. It could be a ray, a dolphin, a floating piece of debris, etc. If you think you see a shark, you should locate a lifeguard and calmly relay the location of your sighting and a detailed description of what you saw. That lifeguard will contact the appropriate authorities and they will determine what action should be taken.
- …I see red flags flying? Red flags on the beach indicate that ocean conditions are considered unsafe and the risk is too high for the average swimmer. In addition, swimming when red flags are posted is against the law, and you will be fined. Churning water can easily knock you down, and reports of broken bones are not uncommon. Rough water also produces floating debris, such as ship timbers. Adults wading in knee-deep water can be knocked down by powerful waves and dragged by rip currents on red-flag days.
(Note: A surfer may enter the water if he/she is attached by leash to a fiberglass surf board of at least 5 feet in length and has at least one fin. Please be aware that most rental surf boards are not made of fiberglass and, therefore, do NOT meet this exception. - …I get caught in a backwash current? To escape this current, swim straight toward shore if you are a strong swimmer. If you are not a strong swimmer, do not panic; wait and float until the current stops, then swim in.
- Help keep our OBX beaches clean; remove all trash from the beach when you leave.
- Unattended items (canopies, umbrellas, nets, poles, grills, etc.) should not be left on the beach strand overnight and should not obstruct traffic or pedestrian movement during the day. Unattended items left on the beach will be tagged as a reminder to remove them each day by sunset. Any tagged items left on the beach after sunset will then be removed in order to ensure the safety of our beach visitors. Unattended items that have been removed will not be returned.
- Walking or driving on the dunes is prohibited. The dunes are home to nesting turtles and vegetation specific to the area. In addition, they protect homes from flooding during a storm surge.
- It is illegal to launch sky lanterns, commonly known as Chinese lanterns, anywhere in Currituck County. Sky lanterns are airborne paper lanterns and similar to a miniature hot air balloon. They are often powered by a fuel cell or candle that heats the air, fills the balloon and makes the lantern fly up into the sky.
- Open burning – including bonfires – along the OBX beaches of Currituck County is not allowed. Self-contained portable fire pits with covers are allowed on the beach, but they have to stay contained in the fire bowl and have to be removed from the beach every evening.
- Overnight camping on the beach is prohibited.
- Stay at least 50 feet from wild horses (per County ordinance). Please remember they are wild and should not be fed.
- Do not park or set up beach equipment next to the water’s edge or dune line; these are designated Fire, Emergency, and vehicular traffic lanes.
- For your safety, when red flags are flying, SWIMMING IS NOT ALLOWED! These red flags indicate rip current warnings. For current rip current information, click here to visit NOAA’s website.
- Fireworks and bonfires are illegal in all areas of Corolla.
- It is strongly recommended that all kayakers wear life jackets.
- All surfers must be tethered to their boards.
- Please refill any beach holes for which your party is responsible, as open holes are a safety concern for 4×4 vehicles and people.
- Before choosing your spot on the beach, check to make sure you will not hinder the performance of lifeguards during an emergency situation. Maintain a clear path along the dune-line for patrol units and in front of the stationary lifeguard stands.
- Please be sure to clean up after your dog(s). All dogs on the beach must be controlled by a leash or other like-device.
- Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) at all times. Avoid the hottest parts of the day, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- If a wave crashes on you while surfing or swimming, do not try to struggle against it to the surface. Curl into a ball, or go limp and float. The wave will take you to the beach, or you can swim to the surface when it soon passes.
- Do not touch dead animals. Notify a lifeguard.
- Jet skis are not allowed to be launched on the ocean or from any ocean beach location in Currituck. Riding and launching a jet ski is permitted in the Currituck Sound.
- Three miles of secluded beaches
- Beach accesses on every block
- New walkovers at Barracuda, Perch and Sailfish beaches
- 4 public beach parking lots (Shad, Sturgeon, Bonito, and Sailfish)
- Lifeguards at Bonito, Herring, Sailfish and Sturgeon beaches
- Quiet streets for walking or biking
- Municipal water (most areas)
- Private beach access
- Stocked ten-acre fishing lake
- Olympic-sized community pool
- Kiddie pool
- Tennis courts
- Private roads and security
- Tall, stable duneline
- Oceanfront pool
- Soundside pool
- Tennis Courts
- Playground
- Basketball courts
- Nature trails
- 10 acre fishing lake
- Fitness center (cardio and free weights)
Suit Up OBX
Tree House at the Pointe
The Pointe Golf Club and Tree House are the perfect setting for your ceremony, reception , or any event. Our beautiful clubhouse can accommodate up to 125 guests and our optional tent can increase the capacity to 200. The Pointe Golf Club is the perfect destination for your wedding on the Outer Banks! Visit our website for more information.
Deborah Sawyer – Wedding Photography
Deborah Sawyer of Beach Portraits has been capturing stunning moments for over three decades on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and throughout the United States. Deborah, with highly trained and educated photographers, work closely with you in telling your very own story through her images. To date she has photographed over 3500 weddings and even more portraits.
Equipped with professional, full-framed, over 23 mega-pixel still cameras, lighting, and in-house editing capabilities, they comply with the shooting style desired by their clients. Please call or email with questions. We can customize all our packages to your budget and your needs.
Things to Do With Kids in Currituck County
When it comes to planning out an adventurous family vacation comprised of nature and exciting programs, look no further than Currituck County and its Outer Banks in North Carolina. The county has 20 miles of pristine beaches, protected parks and plenty of kid-friendly attractions like go-karts and bumper cars. Plus there are a few surprising attractions that await small travelers. Here are the best things to do with your kids in Currituck County, North Carolina.
Tucked away in historic Corolla, families can play a kid-friendly game of miniature golf at Adventure Golf and Bumper Cars. On the mini-golf course, families will find funny Corolla themes such as a miniature model of Whalehead and statues of wild horses. The venue has an extended bumper car area for families to chase each other under the blacklights. The bumper cars are designed to be kid-friendly, providing more cushion and less jolt upon collision. The golf course accommodates kids of all ages and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Those with the need for speed will want to check out Corolla Raceway by Sanders Bay where both kids and adults can enjoy driving a super fast go-kart. The raceway features a large and spacious track for families to compete. Smaller children will be given a junior kart to play with other age-appropriate children. A bumper car rink is included at the raceway along with video arcades, a game room and a concession stand.
Currituck County’s open beaches and Outer Banks make it ideal for kite flying. On Austin Street in Corolla, a popular Flying Smiles Kite shop sells high quality and limited edition kites in the shape of animals (some designed by store owners). Kitty Hawk Kites is an outdoor recreation area with adventurous attractions like hang-gliding and flyboarding. However, Kitty Hawk Kites specializes in kite flying, where experts will assist your family in this activity. Thrill-seeking families with older children may want to amp up their experience by kiteboarding instead.
Children can enroll in several educational programs at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. The center has various lessons and activities targeted to children of different age groups, like Fish Sticks, where experts will teach young children the basics of fishing. Sound Sampler is a 1.25-hour program for kids to explore the marshland for insects and fish. Sea Turtle Activities invites children of all ages to dress up as sea turtles and play various turtle-themed games.
One of the biggest perks of Currituck County is its famous wild mustang horses that have inhabited the area for more than 500 years. The horses are believed to be descendants of Spanish explorers that had to abandon them due to a shipwreck in the 1500s. On the beach of Corolla, the horses roam freely and are easy to find, making for splendid photo opportunities. Families cannot pet or approach the horses, but they can join an off-road tour to see the horses up close. To learn more about the horses or buy a souvenir, Corolla Wild Horses Museum is within walking distance from its beach, where kids can ride on a tamed mustang at the museum.
At Dennis Anderson’s Muddy Motor Sports, families can watch hair-raising shows of monster trucks, including the world famous Grave Digger that pummels smaller cars with ease. The venue hosts monthly and annual mud bogging events for thousands of fans to enjoy and root for.
Children of all ages can participate in crabbing along the Outer Banks. Currituck Sound is an easily accessible place to catch your family’s dinner with a few key items that can be purchased at a local bait and tackle shop. Families can opt to go to Knott’s Island, which is only 45 minutes away by ferry. Despite the time and distance, the island is known to be a treasure trove of delectable crabs.
The best way to explore the Outer Banks is by kayak. In Currituck County, Kitty Hawk Kayaks & Surf School can give lessons to both kids and adults and take them through scenic routes to see wildlife like ospreys, turtles and fish. Families can also rent fishing supplies at Kitty Hawk. Plan ahead to reserve a late afternoon tour to catch the sunset as you and your family paddle back to the shore.
Whether your family is exploring estuarine reserves, kayaking along the Outer Banks or viewing wild horses in Corolla, Currituck County is full of memorable photo opportunities. Purchase disposable cameras to allow your children to get creative and snap shots throughout trips at the beach, parks or historic villages. Another place for scenic views is Carova, where it’s common to see families of red foxes romping around the dunes.
S.E.A.L. is a program to immerse your kids into beachside nature while teaching them the basic safety rules. The program stands for Safety Education and Aquatic Learning and the program is geared toward children age 7-14. Biologists and instructors will give lessons on the ocean’s wildlife and safety protocols like first aid, CPR and mock lifeguard rescues. The programs are held at Corolla beach so families are welcome to stick around for more beach fun.
Swimming Safety & Rip Currents
What Should I Do If…
Beach Safety Rules & Tips
Each year, thousands of visitors enjoy the beautiful beaches of Currituck and Corolla on the Outer Banks. Currituck County wants to ensure this natural environment is maintained for years to come, and that our visitors enjoy a “sunsational” Corolla beach vacation!
Safety Information:
Pine Island Station 470 Ocean Trail (Route 12) Corolla, NC 27927
Whalehead Station 827 Whalehead Drive Corolla, NC 27927
Corolla Fire & Rescue Volunteer Fire Department sells T-shirts at the Pine Island Station.
www.CorollaFireAndRescue.com
Please contact us with any questions.
Corolla Ocean Rescue website
Learn More About:
Swimming Safety & Rip Currents
SEAL Program
Water Sense
Shark Safety Info from NOAA
Beaches
Beach Driving Tips
Beach Access Locations
Handicap Accessibility
Here are a few tips, rules, and regulations that will keep our beaches safe, fun and clean for years to come:
Whalehead Beach
Whalehead Beach in Corolla, NC is a serene beach community on the Outer Banks of North Carolina that features large, beautiful vacation rental homes. Known for its nearby unspoiled beaches and close proximity to Corolla attractions, shopping and restaurants, visitors to Whalehead Beach enjoy its large lots and laid-back Southern family atmosphere. Located on three miles of secluded shoreline, this private beach community consists of three streets which run alongside the Atlantic Ocean. With convenient beach accesses on every block, beachgoers find it easy to make their way to a relaxing day of sun and fun on the Outer Banks.
Whalehead Beach Amenities
Swan Beach
Swan Beach has an interesting name, because when people come out to this secluded stretch of the North Outer Banks they are not looking for graceful winged creatures. Swan Beach is known by locals and tourists in the know as one of the best places in the Outer Banks to watch the wild horses in their natural habitat. When you book your vacation in Currituck, you may be interested in a trip up Swan Beach. The soft sand feels great on your feet, but bear in mind that it’s not an easy destination.
Swan Beach in the OBX is about three miles north of the beach access ramp in Currituck, which means if you park where the road ends you’ll have to do some hiking! No worries, though, if you have a 4×4 vehicle you can ride out on the sand, or you can book a horse-watching tour with the many companies in Corolla that guide visitors to where the horses are found.
You’ll love the Swan Beach area for its serenity and beauty. This part of the OBX borders the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, so you may also see marsh birds and other animals native to North Carolina enjoying the sunshine. It’s like stepping back in time to when the early settlers first encountered our coast. There are a few vacation homes for rent in the area, which require a 4×4 vehicle to access, so if you really want to get away from it all you can bring the family and celebrate a reunion or holiday at beautiful Swan Beach. Enjoy a perfect sunrise, then hop over the dunes into the water! Keep an eye out around your rental, too, because you may have a few four-legged visitors. Be aware that local laws forbid you to make physical contact with the wild horses, but definitely bring a camera.
Learn more about beaches on the Outer Banks of North Carolina:
Ocean Lakes
The neighborhood of Ocean Lakes can be found at the northern end of Corolla’s Ocean Sands beach community in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This 600 acre vacation rental beach community features beautiful ocean views and miles of pristine beaches to enjoy with your family and friends. Ocean Lakes is the newest section of Ocean Sands, and guests to this area enjoy amenities such as a fully stocked ten-acre fishing lake, community pool with sun decks, and tennis courts. Most of the beach rental homes in this area are 4-8 bedrooms. Corolla attractions, shopping and restaurants are all just minutes away as well.
Ocean Lakes Amenities
Ocean Hill
Ocean Hill is Corolla’s last paved community before the 4×4 beach area. Vacation rental homes range from 5 to 9 bedrooms and weave their way through the natural surroundings on both the oceanside and the soundside. At the Villages at Ocean Hill community, amenities include two community pools (oceanfront and lakefront), tennis courts, basketball courts, playground, fitness center (fee based) and a 10 acre lake for fishing. The Estates at Ocean Hill offers guests vacation homes located on the Oceanside in Corolla. Most homes are within walking distance to the Historic Corolla Village and have views of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.
Located near Corolla restaurants, shopping, and attractions, visitors enjoy Ocean Hill because of its pristine family-friendly beaches relaxing small-town southern atmosphere. Breathtaking soundside sunsets are enjoyed almost every evening in this serene vacationer’s paradise.
Ocean Hill Amenities
North Swan Beach
Have you longed for a vacation off the beaten path, literally? When we think of such a vacation, a trip to the mountains may come to mind, but did you know you can enjoy a week or two in semi-seclusion in any of the off-road communities in the The Northern Outer Banks? North Swan Beach, for one, is only accessible via 4-wheel drive vehicles, and here you’ll find many luxury vacation homes for rent. This is a great destination for small beach weddings, family reunions, and retreats for small groups looking for an alternative to busy vacations with packed itineraries. Here, you take each day at your leisure and enjoy and surf and sand.
When you book a vacation rental on North Swan Beach in Corolla, Outer Banks, you set the stage for memories that will last forever. Our off-road communities provide the best of both worlds – you can unwind all day on one of the beautiful Corolla beaches away from crowded sections of the shore, and you’re not far from fun activities like the Currituck Lighthouse, wild horse sightseeing tours, and great places to shop. Many of Currituck beach houses are equipped with luxury amenities like gourmet kitchens, Jacuzzis, and huge decks. You can have food catered by a top OBX chef or head into Corolla for groceries. Create a home away from home for your family.
Did we mention the wild horses? North Swan Beach is close to the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge and is home to sloping dunes where the Currituck wild Mustangs love to play. If you’re lucky you can sit out on the deck and watch them trot along the shore. Local laws prohibit contact with the wild horses of Corolla, but bring a video camera and take lots of pictures. You definitely don’t see wild horses exploring your back yard every day – it’s a great experience to share with the kids!
For a vacation just far enough from the crowds but close to great dining and shopping, North Swan Beach is a must. Get the extended family together for a week of fun and sun!
Learn more about beaches on the Outer Banks of North Carolina: