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4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels.

Photo gallery for 4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels.

Exterior
Smart TV, fireplace, books
Fitness facility
Property grounds
Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer

Explore the area

Map
Corolla, NC
  • False Cape State Park
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Swan Beach
    ‪55 min drive‬
  • Corolla Beach
    ‪98 min drive‬
  • Elizabeth City, NC (ECG-Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Regional)
    ‪206 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Corolla

With a stay at this vacation home in Corolla, you'll be on the waterfront and 7 minutes by foot from Outer Banks Beaches. .This vacation home is 8.1 mi (13.1 km) from Corolla Beach and 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from False Cape State Park.
View more Holiday homes in CorollaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • False Cape State Park - 16 min drive
  • Swan Beach - 55 min drive
  • Wild Horse Museum - 61 min drive
  • Corolla Beach - 98 min drive
  • Currituck Beach - 106 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Carova Beach - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Ole Mexican Foods - ‬191 min drive
  • ‪Moonrise Bay Vineyard - ‬193 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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 .
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. There's a private balcony or patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like wireless internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Phil Jethro

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach
  • Beach sunloungers

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking
  • Car recommended

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 3.5 bathrooms
  • Shared bathroom
  • Bath or shower
  • Towels provided
  • Outdoor shower
  • Hairdryer

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total pets
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the sea
  • On the waterfront
  • Near the bay

Things to do

  • Water sports equipment
  • Kayaking on site
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Surfing/body boarding nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

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 allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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 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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

PRIVATE_VACATION_HOME
New Listing totally Renovated!! Escape Reality at the Rusty Crab

4X4 only! Canal front. Ocean AND sound views! Decks and porches on all levels. Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 90 out of 98 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 98 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 98 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 98 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 98 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Debra C.

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!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

James A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relax
Quiet, relaxing weekend with friends. Great house and location.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Jason H.

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
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff D.

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kyle D.

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!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Sharon R.

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.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joshua A.

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anthony G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent Property and location
Property was very nice and communication with owner was excellent. Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adrienne N.

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.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie W.

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!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tori S.

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!!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sonya D., Charleston, SC

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angela D., Chester

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sherry W.

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.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maggie C., North Carolina

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Danielle F.

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!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erin B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful family trip
Beautiful house in a great location. One week wasn’t enough to use all of the amenities. The kids loved playing hide and seek in the house as there are many cool spots to hang out. The crows nest for great views, hammocks for relaxing after the beach… we caught a few crabs off the dock. The horses visit daily right in the yard. Close to the firehouse for ice and fun t-shirts. Very close to the beach. I enjoyed my daily runs on the beach. The dolphins, pelicans and wild ponies were all a magical sight each day. Worth the drive! Use a Chevy 2500 4x4 and you will have no issues driving on the beach. The owner was great too!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brooke H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Breathtaking Views
This was our first time staying on the 4x4 beach and the Rusty Crab was the perfect beach house for us! Decks, decks, and more decks! The wild horses hanging around the yard and star gazing up in the crows nest was amazing. Phil was great from the time we checked in until the time we checked out. Highly recommend the Rusty Crab!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tyler C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Serene Getaway
If you're reading this, book it, you will not be disappointed! Phil, the host was amazing. He's very informative and prompt with his responses. As Phil already mentiond, it's extremely important to air down prior to driving on the beach. Your PSI should be around 20, place your vehicle in 4hi, turn off traction control system(TSC), yes OFF, otherwise you'll bury your tires, lastly your vehicle must have 7.5 inch ground clearance minimum. One of my guests had an AWD GMC Acadia which did well in the sand, the key is to air down, turn off TSC, place it in 4x4 (4hi) if applicable, have the ground clearance, and you'll be fine. Bring plenty of ice and water. As for horses, if you don't see any, open your eyes, haha . . They're all over and yes, even on the property itself, which was defintely a sight to see, they're so majestic! The views of the ocean, from the crow's nest specifically, were breathtaking, not to mention to stargaze at night . . . A must! The Rusty Crab is certainly the place to be and build memories with family and friends, have fun and just RELAX!! I miss it already! Thanks for everything Phil!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Week Away!
This place was perfect for our family and friends!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic property, great owner
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the property. Corolla was great, beach was a blast and the property was well-appointed and was very clean. Close proximity to the water made getting out for fun quick and easy. Very grateful also got owner Phil's accessibility via text.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rusty Crab The Perfect Serene Getaway
We had the most peaceful and relaxing time during our stay. The cottage was beautifully decorated and stocked with all our necessities. It was our 29th year wedding anniversary and an amazing stay. The weather was perfect sunny in the 70s and 80s! Very clean and comfortable the decking is exceptional from bottom to top! The owner was wonderful texting us during our stay making sure that we had everything we needed. We definitely recommend this perfect serene getaway! Cannot wait to come again and again! Thank you so much, Phil
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ben V., Raleigh

Liked: Cleanliness
Very Nice House
Great place off the beaten path, but not too far. Had everything we needed plus some. Hope to stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Todd K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property, perfect location
If your looking for a perfect beach getaway. Check this place out.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kyle D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Place
The stay was amazing. Phil the property owner checked in via text occasionally (which was perfect) to make sure the stay was going well (which it was). Location is amazing, house, etc. No complaints at all. 10/10.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023