Sep 12, 2024

Exploring the Differences: Duck and Corolla

Blog / OBX Guides
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Duck or Corolla?

This is one of our most commonly asked questions from guests when booking a vacation home. Both towns offer beautiful beaches, fun activities, good food, and cute shops. Without a doubt, you can’t go wrong with either town, but we understand that everyone has their vacation preferences. We also want our guests to be informed of each town’s atmosphere. If you’re looking for larger beaches, Corolla will be your comfort zone. If you’re looking for activities and shops while beaching it up, Duck may be more your speed. Let’s explore the different experiences you can have in Duck and Corolla!

The Sand

While Duck and Corolla are right next to each other along the East Coast, they do have different sand. Many people notice that the sand in Corolla is softer than in Duck. You may find more pebbles and shells washing up along Duck while Corolla sand is more powdery and fine. The cause of more pebbles and shells comes from Duck’s recent beach restoration project that took place in Spring 2024 and the previous restoration project from 2017. Corolla is the only Outer Banks town that has not had a recent beach restoration project. You can learn more about the Outer Banks beach nourishment projects here.

Getting To & From the Beach

Beach walkways are all over the Outer Banks to make your journey to the beach easier. A big difference between Duck and Corolla is that Duck does not have public beach walkways, and Corolla does. 

Duck offers the luxury of having beach walkways for each neighborhood. You have nice, quick walks to the beach from many areas in Duck. Duck Village also has sidewalks that run along the streets, as well as many crosswalks to help you get to where you need to go. The town is pedestrian-friendly, so you and your family can safely walk to the beach.

While Corolla has plenty of semi-private beach walkways, it also offers public walkways. Corolla has much more land, and some guests may want to drive over to the beach, especially when carrying all the beach gear. You can learn more about your town’s beach parking availability here.

Wildlife & Wildlife Conservation

The Outer Banks is a prime destination for exploring nature. Whether you choose bird watching, a kayak tour, or searching for dolphins along the horizon, Duck and Corolla have many different areas of nature to see. In Corolla, you have the opportunity to see the famous Corolla Wild Horses on the 4×4 beach, spot otters swimming around the sound, and maybe a snake or two. In Duck, you will for sure see ducks. The town was even named after duck hunting and the abundance of ducks in the area back then. You can also see nutria (river rats), ospreys, and of course, deer. 

Should you encounter injured wildlife, please contact the North Carolina Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401, email wildlifehelpline@ncwildlife.org, or click here for FAQs. Both towns are committed to preserving their natural environment, including protecting all wildlife and promoting conservation efforts for coastal habitats.

Restaurants, Shops, & More!

Something these two towns have in common is the popular local businesses you have to check out. Duck has a beautiful boardwalk with waterfront shops, and Corolla has the famous Timbuck II shopping center.

Duck’s village center is pedestrian-friendly, with boutique shops, art galleries, and local eateries. Visitors can explore unique shops offering everything from beachwear and souvenirs to handmade crafts and artwork. Our shopping day starts with an Iced Swan from Duck’s Cottage. If you’re looking for stylish clothes, we recommend shopping at Amity Boutique. All your surf and Outer Banks needs can be found at Kitty Hawk Surf Co. For dining, we never turn down a sunset dinner on the sound at NC Coast!

 

The Kind Cup

Corolla has a selection of shops, boutiques, and galleries where visitors can find beachwear, souvenirs, and artwork by local artists. Dining options range from casual seafood restaurants serving freshly caught fish to upscale eateries with waterfront views. We start our day with a coffee from Kind Cup next to our Twiddy office. You can shop all kinds of places in Timbuck II and jump on a jetski at Corolla Watersports. Corolla Surf Shop will get you all set with surf lessons and gear.

Things To Do In Duck

With Duck being easy to walk around, you can hit all the popular places. Here’s a list of our favorite spots in Duck.

Things To Do In Corolla

While Corolla may not be as easy to walk around, there are just as many, if not more, places to see!  Here’s a list of our favorite spots in Corolla.

Now that you’ve gotten the inside scoop on Duck and Corolla, which town are you staying in?

Click here to see the best of Duck and Corolla vacation homes.

Bailey Wilson

Bailey Wilson

Sep 12, 2024

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