Corolla, North Carolina

Corolla, North Carolina is the perfect place if you are thinking about a vacation in the Atlantic sun. Over the past few years, Corolla has changed from a sleepy fishing village to one of the most popular retreats in North Carolina. Corolla is located in the northern portion of the Outer Banks, an area thick in legend and engulfed in beauty. Modern flight was conquered here by the Wright brothers. Blackbeard the pirate met his demise along the coast. Seven lighthouses guided ships, sometimes unsuccessfully, through the "Graveyard of the Atlantic". Today, the Outer Banks is developing its legend as one of the most beautiful vacation areas in the country. Visitors have their choice of sun bathing, fishing, golfing, swimming, bird watching, scuba diving, sailing, and tons of other active pursuits.

Corolla is perfectly positioned as a jumping off point for numerous Outer Banks attractions. The Wright Brothers National Memorial, located in Kill Devil Hills, pays tribute to the two brothers from Dayton, Ohio who successfully completed the first sustained powered flights in a "heavier than air machine". Walk the First Flight Trail, and hear the park rangers give a recount of the famous event. Probably the most famous site in the area is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. At 208 feet, the lighthouse is the tallest in the US. It was recently moved to prevent the sea from carrying it away. The lighthouse was commissioned in 1870 to prevent sailors from running aground on Diamond Shoals, a treacherous stretch of sandbars just off shore. Today, it stands as a symbol for the Outer Banks, and is beloved by locals and visitors alike. The Lighthouse is located in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore area of the Outer Banks. This 70-mile stretch of land is protected from development and offers a view of the area in its most pristine state.

A day in the sun is one of Corolla's biggest assets. The beaches here are blessed with gorgeous sand that gently slopes into the Atlantic, making them perfect fun for the entire family. If you want to add some action to your tanning time, there are plenty of places to rent kayaks, wave runners, jet skis, windsurfing equipment, and sail boats. More beach fun can be found on any number of beaches on the Outer Banks. Pick one. The beaches are surrounded by huge sand dunes and supported by wispy sea oats that dot the coastline and add to the rustic, relatively untouched atmosphere.

The secret is out: the Outer Banks is full of fishin' holes. Anglers can employ surf and pier fishing, freshwater fishing, fly fishing, and inshore and offshore charter fishing to catch their favorite game. The area is probably best known as known as "the Billfish Capital of the World". Hundreds of blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish are caught in these waters each year. Another popular method is by small-boat fishing in the Albemarle, Pamlico, Roanoke, and Croatan sounds. Popular targets include trout, croaker, flounder, sheepshead, and red drum.

Golf in the Outer Banks is shaped by the terrain and the good humor of Mother Nature. Courses are reminiscent of Scottish links courses, and wind blown dunes rise up, seemingly out of nowhere, providing vigorous obstacles. The Currituck Club, designed by Rees Jones, offers gorgeous views of both Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Sea Scape Golf Links in Kitty Hawk offers undulating fairways requiring pinpoint accuracy. Dramatic elevation changes bring spectacular Atlantic views. Nags Head Golf Links offers no respite for long hitters as tee shots are gobbled up by the wild and untamed sea grass.