Driving on the beach is a fun and exciting part of staying on the 4x4 area of the Outer Banks and the beach here changes everyday.  Below are a few helpful tips to consider before leaving the pavement:

• It is required that you have a four-wheel drive vehicle and to air your tires down to drive on the beach.  This is a significant factor in reducing the likelihood of getting stuck.

• Another reason four-wheel drive vehicles are required is due the ground clearance many of these vehicles have.  In areas where the sand is soft, deep grooves often get cut into the sand cause vehicles with lower ground clearance to catch the sand, potentially get damaged, and/or get stuck.  This is why a the most frequently seen vehicles on the beach are Jeeps and trucks.

• Air down!  Reducing the air pressure in your tires allows your tires to balloon out creating more surface area.  This in turn allows your vehicle to sit on top of the sand rather than sinking in, decreasing the likelihood of being stuck.  It is also the law and violating this law can lead to steep fines.  NOTE: NEVER AIR DOWN AT THE ENTRANCE  TO THE BEACH!  This is not only not allowed but also blocks the entrance for people getting on and off the beach.  Air down prior to the beach and turn on your four wheel drive prior to hitting the sand.  The entrance to the beach is often to most crowded, softest sand, and deepest ruts.  This is where most people typically get stuck.  Keep momentum and keep your turns gradual.

• Watch out for stumps!  The 4x4 area was previously home to a prehistoric forest and the remnants of that forest remain today.  The beach not only changes daily but also seasonally.  The depth of the sand on the beach can change by as much as 3 feet between winter and summer.  This migration of sand exposes the remaining stumps in the winter months as the sand drifts away, and can be hidden in the summer as the soft sand migrates back to the beach.  This can be especially challenging to navigate at night.

• Monitor the tide schedule and the weather.  Traveling during times of high tide can be difficult and during extreme weather can be impassable.   We use an app called TIDES BY ME.  Look up the SANDBRIDGE tides since this is the closest to our beach.  It will give you daily and weekly tide schedules.  Living and staying on the beach is an incredible experience but awareness of the weather and tides must be a part of your everyday life.

• Avoid driving in the ocean.  This can be tempting for many off-road enthusiast, or people that want to get an amazing picture for their social media.  Not only is the salt water highly corrosive to your vehicle, but is also dangerous.  Tides can come quick, vehicles can get stuck, and you cannot see the terrain under the water.  Imagine having that conversation with your insurance adjuster… Also when the ocean is rough, sea foam will form.  You never want to drive through that either.

• Be prepared.  As a part-time resident of the 4x4 area, my vehicle always has a tow strap, a small folding shovel (E-Tool), portable jump starter, portable air compressor, tire deflators, and a tire pressure gauge.  All of these items are not required but prepare me for some of the common scenarios that may occur.  Tow bills can be expensive on the beach, so help yourself and others.  Also, if you get suck, do not accelerate aggressively to get out.  This will often lead to your vehicle getting stuck deeper and resting on its frame.  Sometimes letting a little bit more air out of your tires is all you need, or having a handy tow strap on hand and friendly passer-by. 

• Pay attention to the speed limit.  The beaches are patrolled by the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office and speed limits are strongly enforced.  The speed limit is 15 mph around people and horses and 35 mph when no one is around you.

• Parking on the beach.  Parking on the beach is permitted with a pass.  Currituck County just changed how they will give out passes.  As residents, we will have 2 passes in the house that you can use while you're here.  If you want additional passes, you must pre-register with the county.  The will only be giving 300 passes out per week and once they are sold out, they are sold out.   When permitted, drivers can park in the middle of the beach perpendicular to the ocean.  The remaining beach in front of and behind your vehicle are considered lanes of travel.

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