2-Hour Open-Air 4WD Wild Horse Tour

2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck runs through Benders Beach Services. Rated 4.8 across 2,871 reviews. Runs 2 hours. From $65.

Overview

This is a two-hour run up the beach and through the dunes north of Corolla in an open-backed 4-wheel drive truck, operated by Benders Beach Services. There is no hotel pickup. You meet at 1148 Ocean Trail, an unpaved lot next to the Beer Garden by the CITGO station, and arrive about 30 minutes early. From there the truck heads up the sand past Carova Beach looking for the wild horses that roam the off-road area, with a guide who explains the herd, the habitat and the local history along the way.

The vehicle is a truck, not an ATV, and it carries a maximum of 12 travellers. Reviewers describe being taken into the dunes and off the beaten path, and say the guides know where to look.

It suits travellers in reasonable shape who can handle a bumpy ride in an open truck and want a guided, ground-level look at the northern beaches. It does not suit wheelchair users, travellers with back problems, or children under five or under 40 pounds. The group size is capped at 12.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Ocean TrailArrive at 1148 Ocean Trail in Corolla, the unpaved lot shared with the Beer Garden next to the CITGO station, about 30 minutes before departure.
2. Drive the beachThe truck heads north up the sand in an open-air ride past Carova Beach.
3. Search the dunesThe route passes Carova Beach and works through the dunes where reviewers describe spotting the wild horses.
4. Return to meeting pointThe full tour runs two hours and ends back at the same lot on Ocean Trail.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the ride smoother, drawn from the listing and from what travellers repeatedly report.

• Dress for the open air. A hat may not stay on.
• Expect a bumpy ride. Several reviewers describe the ride as bumpy, with one comparing it to a rodeo through the dunes. Travellers with back problems are advised against the tour.
• Bring your own drinks. Food and drinks are not included, but you may bring them. Alcohol and glass containers are not allowed.
• Sightings vary. Horses are wild and move around, and one reviewer reported being warned they might not appear. Most reviewers report spotting them, some in several locations, but numbers vary by day.
• Getting good photos. One reviewer wished the truck stopped fully so passengers could take pictures.
• Arrive early. Traffic in the area is common and being stuck in it does not earn a refund. The operator asks travellers to arrive 30 minutes before the tour time.

Common issues. The ride is rough and not wheelchair accessible, and the operator advises against it for anyone with back problems or serious medical conditions. Children must be at least five years old and 40 pounds, and no exceptions can be made. The tour caps at 12 travellers. Some reviewers could not hear the guide over the wind and engine noise, an issue reported more than once. Weather and minimum traveller numbers can force cancellation, in which case a different date or a full refund is offered. Late arrivals stuck in traffic get no refund.

Before You Book