Don't plan on bringing the family car, though, unless it's four-wheel drive. The community, which is found on Bodie Island, can only be accessed by boat or by four-wheel drive vehicle since there are no paved roads connecting Carova Beach to either neighboring settlements Virginia Beach, Virginia or Corolla, North Carolina. Four-wheel drive vehicles drive north along the beach from Corolla into the community. There are no paved roads in the communities of Seagull, Penny's Hill, Swan Beach, North Swan Beach and Carova, which consist of million-dollar homes, along with the more modest homes of year-round residents, scattered among the dunes and facing the Atlantic Ocean, on 11 miles of unspoiled beaches that stretch from Corolla to the Virginia Line.

To get there, follow N.C. 12 north to Corolla, to the ramp at the end of the road. Take a left, and drive straight up the beach. Don't forget to lay in some supplies before you go, though, as along with no paved roads, there are no grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants or hotels, or trash pickup and other amenities of modern life.

Carova is an unincorporated community in Currituck County in the extreme northeast corner of North Carolina, USA. It is located at latitude 36° 32' 43" North, longitude 75° 52' 19" West. The United States Postal Service has assigned Carova the ZIP Code 27927.

However, most of the upscale rentals are well-equipped, with heated swimming pools, hot tubs and Jacuzzis, game rooms, multiple televisions and entertainment systems, high-speed Internet access, gourmet kitchens and multiple bedrooms (eight or more, in many cases), so a vacation on the northern Outer Banks isn't exactly roughing it. Many of the larger beach houses sleep from 10 to 25 people, making them perfect for wedding parties and family reunions.

The vacation homes of Carova range from cozy and couple-worthy to huge, spacious, family-reunion style compounds. No matter what kind of travelers make up your group, there's bound to be something for everyone to take pleasure in. Because the area is indeed out-of-the-way, most places have been designed to make you feel a sense of privacy without having to suffer isolation and boredom. Pools, elegant and easy-to-navigate kitchens, entertainment rooms, and plenty of beds, seating, and linens all make for first-class comfort in this far-off place.

*Outer Banks Vacation Homes, condos and cottages direct by owners in North Carolina.