Seaside stay .Stay at this Corolla vacation home and you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Outer Banks Beaches and 2 miles (3 km) of Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. False Cape State Park and False Cape Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels.
THIS HOUSE IS LOCATED IN THE 4X4 BEACH ACCES AREA - MUST HAVE 4X4!! You will be driving on the beach in sand. Newly updated water system! Totally remolded, new appliances, new furniture!! Low traffic Canal front with a Boat slip. 500 yards from the fire station. 6 minute walk to the beach ( 4 minutes if you are really excited!) . beach parking pass included. Decks , decks and more decks for your enjoyment!! Rain or shine you can take in all of nature’s beauty under the cover of a deck on every level. The bottom level includes a large covered deck great for entertaining, an outside shower, a utility room with a fridge , microwave, washer /dryer and a half bath. A large handmade surfboard bar welcomes you to unwind after a long day on the beach . Walk up the stairs to the second floor which is also surrounded by covered decks and fun seating including a large hammock , double seated swing hammock and a bistro table . The interior entry on the second floor accesses the bedrooms . Both sides of the hallway have a matching floor plan with 2 bedrooms on each side with a shared bathroom between for a total of 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths on this level . All rooms have smart TVs and WiFi. Go up the interior stairs to the third floor which is an open room including the kitchen , living room and a third full bath. From the interior of this level Step out of one of the 3 sliding doors onto the screened in porch Or to the open deck for a birds eye view . Take one more flight of steps up to the crows nest to enjoy ocean and sound views, bistro lighting to savor the moment while enjoying sunsets and moonlit nights . There is plenty of yard space including a fire pit, a park style charcoal grill and plenty of room for games and entertaining. 2 kayaks, miscellaneous boogie boards, Beach toys and beach chairs staged on the bottom deck under cover. With a surplus of amenities The Rusty Crab is sure to offer something for all. You must have 4x4 !! This house is located in the 4x4 beach Access area. You will be driving on the sand and beach .
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Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Garden
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
Pets are welcome
Only dogs and cats are allowed
Maximum 2 pets
Service animals are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.
Property is also known as
PRIVATE_VACATION_HOME
New Listing totally Renovated!! Escape Reality at the Rusty Crab
Frequently asked questions
How close is 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels. to the airport?
This vacation home is 105.5 mi (193-min drive) away from the Norfolk Intl. Airport (ORF) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.
Does 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels. have an airport shuttle?
Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.
How close is 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels. to the beach?
This vacation home is a short 7-minute walk from Outer Banks Beaches and 9.7 mi (60-min drive) from Corolla Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Does 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels. offer free breakfast?
This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.
Is there a casino at 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels.?
No, there is no casino at this vacation home.
What time is check-in at 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
Is there free parking at 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels.?
Free parking is not available at this vacation home.
Does 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels. have a pool?
This vacation home does not have a pool.
Does 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels. have a spa?
There are no spa services available at this vacation home.
How close is 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels. to downtown Corolla?
This vacation home is 0.2 mi away from Carova Beach.
Reviews
4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels. Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
9.8/10
Cleanliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 98 out of 107 reviews
10 - Excellent
98
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 107 reviews
8 - Good
7
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 107 reviews
6 - Okay
1
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 107 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 107 reviews
2 - Terrible
1
Reviews
6/10 Okay
Verified traveler
Sep 7, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Verified traveler
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Amber C.
Sep 2, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
The Carte’s were extremely pleased with our stay for the 2025 Labor Day holiday. The house was amazing, clean and Phil was extremely helpful with answering our questions about the area. The best part of our trip was by far the wild horses and the seclusion of the Rusty Crab. We recommend booking a visit at this house and giving it a 10 out of 10!!!
Amber C.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Rebecca M.
Aug 10, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
The house is well equipped for a family stay. Lots of beach chair and toys, games in the living room and the beach super close. We didnt have internet while we were there because of a lightening strike that fried the modem the wk before but honestly we didnt even need it. Phil dropped off a jet pack for us but we didn't even use the tvs.
Rebecca M.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Scott E.
Aug 9, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Place was great! Highly recommend!
Scott E.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kenneth H.
Jun 30, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Best Vacay, Ever!
This house made us into diehard Carova beach fans and I cant imagine wanting to go anywhere else in the world besides there, including this particular home. EXACTLY like the pictures, but better. All outdoor areas were amazing, decorated impeccably with seating areas and absolutely breathtaking views. From the adorable surfboard seating area on the 1st floor, to the hammock swing i never wanted to leave on the 2nd, to the screened in porch and open air area on the third, to the amazing crows nest on the 4th, complete with a built in bench and views of the ocean, the amazing inlet in the backyard and the osprey nest with mom, dad and babies! Wild horses visited us frequently, chomping away at the grass in the yard. The inside was just as great as out, clean, comfortable, complete kitchen with anything you may need. The house is very spacious and absolutely perfect. Comfortable beds and furniture, linens provided, along with bath towels. The owner was so responsive and helpful, check in and out was a breeze. The perfect, most chill and relaxing getaway...the only noise we heard every night was the croaking of frogs. Kayaks provided, which literally made our lives worth living. We saw so much amazing wildlife, dolphins, turtles, frogs, herons, osprey, deer. The house is close to the beach and driving there made beach days (everyday!) incredibly easy. Couldn't have asked for a better spot. Thanks so much for letting us enjoy your home, Phil, we cant wait to come back next summer!
Kenneth H.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jenny S.
Jun 21, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful beach house
We really enjoyed the area, the property, & the ease of communication with the host. Would highly recommend!
Jenny S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Ellen S.
Jun 14, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Memorable week
A wonderful property in a great location. It is close to the beach and the canals. It has views of the Sound and the beach from the rooftop deck. A really comfortable and well-kept home with panoramic views of the area. We watched the horses and foals from the decks on several days during our stay.
Ellen S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kyle D.
Jun 10, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
fantastic stay. Phil is a great host. can not beat the location.
Kyle D.
Stayed 13 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Heather C.
Apr 22, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent and quiet stay!
We stayed as a family for our spring break. House was clean, beds were comfortable, and location was great! The kids loved seeing wild horses right off the deck and we found more by driving around. We spent one day on the beach and that was a lot of fun. Weather was a bit chilly, but nothing we could control!
Heather C.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Debra C.
Dec 2, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Thanksgiving Getaway
Our family of 4 enjoyed a quiet time in the outer banks at this lovely beach house. November isn't exactly the time most folks visit the beach, but we've spent most of our lives in the far north, so the "chilly weather" didn't prevent us from enjoying kayaking in the inner channels and viewing the sunset from the crow's nest. We found the kitchen very adequate; we were able to cook a lovely thanksgiving dinner and ate quite well the entire time. We packed all our needs/food for the weekend so we wouldn't have to make the drive back into town for anything. We did bring our bikes, but the soft sand proved too difficult for fun, so I would discourage anyone from bothering with hauling those out. The views from the deck were great and the glass doors allowed so much light in. The wild horses visited us directly on the property on our first night and on the morning of our departure. They were such an added bonus to the trip. The drive wasn't too difficult (in our 4x4 F150)- it's much easier if you can time your drive to be during low tide, however the on and off ramps to the beach are soft sandy dunes, so it can still get you into trouble if you stop in those areas. I really liked the remoteness of the property, my kids really enjoyed their own bedrooms, kayaks and the horses. My husband enjoyed the crow's nest the most, especially when our girls played their flute and clarinet at sunset. Overall, an excellent visit, my kids want to come out again when it's beach season!
Debra C.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
James A.
Oct 10, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Relax
Quiet, relaxing weekend with friends. Great house and location.
James A.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
8/10 Good
Jason H.
Sep 6, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location
Property was perfect for a small family trip to the beach. Just a short walk to a beautiful beach. House was clean and well appointed
Jason H.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jeff D.
Jul 24, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Beach Getaway
We greatly enjoyed our stay. The house was perfect and the location was unique. My wife and daughters loved seeing the horses in the yard each morning. We hope to come back.
Jeff D.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kyle D.
May 26, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic as always
Great property in a great location. Phil is extremely nice and has everything ready the minute you pull in. Always a great stay!
Kyle D.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
8/10 Good
Sharon R.
May 14, 2024
Great location
This was a great location! It was a 2.5-hr drive from Norfolk airport. The house rooms are nicely arranged. Plenty of bathrooms. We cooked breakfast and lunch at home and ate supper in town. About 45-minute one-way beach/sand ride into town, returning to the house before dark, so we wouldn’t have to drive on the beach at night. Great restaurants in the towns.
Sharon R.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Joshua A.
Apr 21, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect relaxing family vacation
Our family of 5 had a great time. The 4x4 area is a great place to go if you want to hit the beach but not do all the touristy things. It's a much quieter spot. We didn't have many questions but Phil quickly answered the ones we had. The home has a deck on 4 different levels and we hung out on each. The crows nest had great views. Our daughter picked this vacation because of the horses and we saw horses every day we were there. About 2/3 of those from the home and 1/3 from walking around. The beach itself is out an 8 minute walk.
We chose to bring all of our food so we didn't drive anywhere once we arrived. If you do make sure you check the tide charts and plan to go towards the low tide times. If you have a very capable vehicle you can get by going whenever during good weather. If you have a borderline vehicle errors towards caution. There are a few places with limited beach where you really want that extra low tide space on the beach. Remember to air down your tires (16ish PSI). We brought an AWD Durango and despite pushing a little sand from the lower front splitter it did well in the flat areas up to about 12-14 inches of sand.
The kitchen is well stocked for most anything normal you might need. The water in the area is harsher well water so bring your own to drink (some is provided).
Well kept home. Well decorated. Everyone in the family would love to go back! If you are looking for a get away from the daily grind and want to put your feet up, this is a great place.
Joshua A.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
Anthony G.
Apr 7, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent Property and location
Property was very nice and communication with owner was excellent. Highly recommended.
Anthony G.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
Adrienne N.
Mar 31, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Spring break getaway
Going to OBX in spring is unpredictable! The weather did not cooperate with us for our trip, but Phil was super helpful in letting us know what was predicted and what the conditions were! We still enjoyed the house and the location. Loved the decor and extra little touches. Would love to come back when its warmer so we could enjoy everything it had to offer.
Adrienne N.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Stephanie W.
Nov 30, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect stay!
We had a wonderful time in Carova. The beach is a short walk from the property, and there is plenty of room for everyone inside the house. There is a rooftop area that provides a good view of the ocean and a nice downstairs area/bar. Phil was great with communication. Would recommend!
Stephanie W.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
Tori S.
Nov 17, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Beach side Getaway
We absolutely loved the property!! We saw horses every day and the beach was less than a 5 minute walk. The house was gorgeous and perfect for our group of 5. Definitely want to have a 4x4, and check the tide charts to plan your outings. We would absolutely stay again!!
Tori S.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
Sonya D., Charleston, SC
Oct 15, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
This was a dream trip and a bucket list item for my best friend. After getting over the initial fear of driving on the sand It wasn't amazing experience. We left the beach area once and went into town to take a tour but we honestly saw more horses on her own than we did the tour. We had heard that the house had daily visitors from some of the harem's but we didn't get to see it until the afternoon before we left. They did not disappoint there was 5 of them and they stayed for over an hour and a half. It was such an incredible experience for all of us. The house had everything we needed except we forgot to bring ice with us and Other than that everything was absolutely perfect!! 💯 If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and see nature at its finest then I suggest you book this home. The owner was amazing and calmed my fears of driving on the sand and dunes. We all lived!
Sonya D.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Angela D., Chester
Sep 19, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing stay!
We had a wonderful time at the Rusty Crab. The house was great and very clean. Tons of decks and the crow’s nest is the best for watching the sunrise and sunsets! The tiki bar was a favorite as well. Close proximity to the beach & canal. Great communication with the owner, very responsive! The wild horses were a joy to watch! It was definitely a highlight. Everyone had an amazing vacation. Highly recommend, you will not be disappointed.
Angela D.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Sherry W.
Sep 16, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Wild horse saloon
Amazing location. We enjoyed all the free amenities which included wild horses everyday, kayaks, peddle boat, grill and charcoal, fire pit, parking passes, beach chairs, and fresh spring water to drink. Beautiful house with convenience to the beach and bay. You can see and hear the beach from the Crows nest at top. Phil is a great host and very respondent when I had questions. Weather and water was fantastic. This was our first vacation to the OBX. Get groceries on the way in so that there is no need to leave, just fun and family. The place was stocked with everything we needed and more even down to a potato peeler, pizza cutter, and spice rack! Definitely well worth the money. Great experience, thank you Phil! Sherry W.
Sherry W.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Maggie C., North Carolina
Sep 7, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great house & great location!
We loved our stay! We were walking distance from the beach, we had wild horses visit the property during our stay. The house was spacious for our family of adults, children and dogs. We'll be back next summer!
Maggie C.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Danielle F.
Aug 21, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great house
This was our second trip to Carova and we couldn’t have been happier with our stay. We were visiting with our toddler and 7-month-old and joined by friends with similarly aged children. The house was exceptionally clean and visited by lots of horses each day, throughout the day. Right from the start the owner was accommodating, responsive, and thoughtful. The house had ample indoor and outdoor space for everyone, and the upper deck was especially nice to watch the sunrises over the ocean and sunsets while kiddos slept. The hammock, porch swing, and outdoor shower were features we used daily and the kayaks and beach toys provided lots of additional fun. It was also nice that the beach and fire station were a quick walk. I was particularly grateful for Phil, the owner. Not only did he get us into the house earlier than the scheduled check-in time, he also went out of his way to accommodate us when we forgot to remove our beach pass and left with it. Book this house, you won’t regret it!