On October 2, Commissioners Tony Angell and Janet Rose accepted NBPA’s invitation to visit the North Beach (4x4), joined by Jennie Turner, Director of Planning & Inspections. Key topics of discussion included: Managed access The current condition of Laughing Gull Additional enforcement from Memorial Day through Labor Day County support for the Summer Beach Ambassador and Education Programs Flooding behind the dunes during rain events A roundtable discussion with horse tour co

During the recent Behind the Dune Beach Sweep, NBPA volunteers gathered a mound of loose Brightspeed cable from the sand roads in Carova, North Swan, and Swan. Black, yellow, and cream cables continue to litter the roads and snake through the grass, with many broken pieces still partially buried. The recent fiber installation has added to the existing debris. With the Lambert cable installation group having completed its work on our portion of the beach weeks ago, NBPA reache

As part of its ongoing effort to keep North Beach residents informed, the North Beach Preservation Alliance recently spoke with County Commissioner Tony Angell about several issues affecting the North Beach community. The discussion included the County’s proposed purchase of property adjacent to County-owned land, potential uses for the property, sand mining, infrastructure, and questions related to measures appearing on the November ballot. Below are Commissioner Angell’s re

This is the second in a series of informational articles concerning the Carova Beach Road Service District (CBRSD). You’ll remember (from the first article) upon creation of the CBRSD, it was determined economically feasible to provide services without an annual tax levy and to utilize Occupancy Tax revenue as the source of funding. However, in May 2019 the Currituck County Board of Commissioners (BoC) proposed and approved: 1. Creation of the Carova Beach Watershed Improvem

The 4x4 Beach had 5 turtle nests this past season. 3 out of the 5 successfully hatched while the remaining 2 were affected by the recent nor'easter with results unknown at the time of publication. Nest 18: A Determined Group Nest 18 was laid on June 26 and relocated, with 86 eggs recovered from a loggerhead nest. A small team of five began sitting on August 22 while also supporting activity at Nest 19. After several quiet nights, continuous sounds of hatchling activity bega

Our first summer of Ambassadors on the beach—and at community events—was successful and eye-opening all at once! North Beach Preservation Alliance Ambassador tents were set up in Swan Beach and Carova on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the summer. We talked with more than 1,500 visitors—some who have been coming here for 20 years, some visiting for the very first time, and many somewhere in between. Those conversations gave us plenty of opportuni

A year ago, several community working groups came together to explore some of the challenges and opportunities facing the North Beach. Each group had a different focus, from education and safety to technology, access, and long-term planning. One year later, some of those early discussions have turned into programs and initiatives, while other efforts are still taking shape. Here’s a look at what’s been accomplished and where things stand today. Committees & Objectives Educati

The August 17 meeting of the Currituck County Board of Commissioners covered several topics related to North Beach, including the proposed purchase of five parcels of land in the off-road area at MP14 and the Carova Roads Maintenance Service District. Sam Walker of OBX News posted a summary here. We also encourage you to watch the Currituck Commissioners meeting video. To view specific discussions, use the links within the agenda. The land purchase proposal is discussed under

This rare beach experience with no paved roads and no commercial development makes it an appealing place to visit. During the busy summer months of June through August, thousands of visitors enjoy this stretch of shoreline each week. The North Beach Preservation Alliance (NBPA) welcomes you and asks for your help in preserving this fragile environment by following these essential tips for safely and respectfully experiencing

We heard some important tips from local Sheriff Mike Corbell and Twiddy Ambassador Edward Ponton, a longtime local resident, during our Beach Ambassador training. When asked what they see most often, both emphasized the need for patience, as many visitors may be using four-wheel drive for the first time. They also shared some practical advice that we hope will help anyone planning a beach visit. Know Before You Go! How not to get stuck on the 4x4 beaches of Corolla. One of t

In our quarterly newsletter and on our website, we regularly share data and facts that highlight the growth, challenges, and opportunities facing North Beach. Like many vacation destinations, the beauty and uniqueness of our area have brought increasing popularity and economic benefits, along with the pressures that come with growth. How do we preserve what we love while still sharing it with the thousands of visitors who want to experience it? We hope these facts and trends

The EPIC Project held its first Community Coffee Hour in April, bringing together organizations that provide health and wellness services to the Currituck community. We live in a beautiful, awe-inspiring place, but we often hear concerns about the lack of accessible medical and mental health services. Fortunately, a number of organizations are working to help meet our community’s needs—offering transportation to appointments, wellness screenings, educational resources, and su

It’s sea turtle nesting time on the 4x4 beach, and you may spot the patrol at sunrise looking for tracks or signs of overnight nesting. Nesting season typically begins in late May and runs through September, sometimes into early October. Most sea turtles come ashore at night, except for Kemp’s Ridleys, which often nest during the day. The most common species here in the OBX is the loggerhead, but green and Kemp’s Ridley turtles also nest on our beaches. Leatherbacks and hawks

We get this question a lot. While most beaches are staffed with visible lifeguards, what makes the Northern Outer Banks beach special in its seclusion also places more responsibility on beachgoers to ensure their own safety. That said, Corolla Beach Rescue does actively patrol the North Beach during the summer season and responds to emergencies year-round through the 911 system. We asked Matt Hewes, Chief Information Officer, Corolla Beach Rescue to share how their team prote

By Edward Ponton That was my first reaction when I heard the North Beach Preservation Alliance’s s slogan, “saving the last 12 miles.” Around here, accuracy matters, and I’ll admit—I cringed a little and let it go. A few weeks later, Edna Baden said something that stuck with me: “the distance has changed over time and will continue to change." Bingo. That was the missing piece—history. Getting to the Currituck Banks wasn’t always as simple as it is today. Travel was by water

The condition of our sand roads, whether related to access, drifting sand, flooding or bone-rattling washboarding, always leads to passionate discussion. This is the first in a series of articles about the Carova Beach Road Service District (CBRSD)—how it began, how it has evolved, and how road maintenance decisions are made today. To better understand how road maintenance is managed today, it helps to look back at how the district was originally formed. On September 9, 200

The residential real estate market in the 4x4 continues to hold steady as we move through the first quarter of 2026, with encouraging signs of stability and improved efficiency compared to this time last year. In both the first quarters of 2025 and 2026, there were 36 homes on the market, with 9 homes sold in each period. What’s changed is performance. In 2026, homes sold at an average price of $670,722 and spent just 111 days on the market. In contrast, 2025 saw an average s

July 2, 2026: Stumpy spotted sunning himself on the beach at Cape Cod! Photo courtesy of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center May 27th: The Mammal Stranding Center released our rock ingesting seal, we affectionaly called Stump went happily back out to sea! We love a happy ending!! Watch his release with two friends on the Marine Mammel Facebook page. Our rock ingesting seal "Stumpy" is on his way to a full recovery!! The Mammal Stranding Center recently posted: Stranding Tec

We are pleased to share that, since this article was posted, the Currituck County Commissioners held a special meeting on April 6, during which a Dominion Energy representative provided an update on plans to help prevent future power outages in the 4x4 region. Planned investments include $550,000 to replace two miles of conductor (27 poles) along Teal Road, as well as $2 million to reconfigure circuits and build backup/alternate feeds. These improvements are intended to suppo

NBPA hosted the first of its kind collaborative training, bringing tour companies, local experts, and officials together to share knowledge and strengthen communication. NBPA recently hosted the first training of its kind for local wild horse tour company guides. The goal was to provide a forum to educate guides on topics beyond the horses, while also creating an opportunity to address questions, share concerns, and foster stronger relationships among the organizations involv