Row Wrapper 2

Sandy Paws

4.9474
(19 Reviews)

Capacity

6 Bedrooms
8 Bath
Sleeps 14

Search Availability

About

FREE POOL HEAT Sept 15th. $3545 total for the week.

Drive Your Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle Up the 4x4 Beach to Your Family’s Oceanfront OBX Happy Place!
Extraordinary experiences await your arrival at Sandy Paws, a tranquil, pet-friendly oceanfront retreat with heatable pool, elevator and everything you could possibly need for the ultimate vacation. This home was lovingly designed for your family AND your beloved dog to enjoy fun-filled gatherings on wild and wonderful Carova Beach.

Take in the panoramic views and sea air while watching the famous wild horses grazing peacefully on your dune. Delight in a lingering ocean sunrise, enjoy a seaside picnic with the kids and beloved dog, steal away for a refreshing afternoon dip in the private pool (heated for a fee), sunbathe in a poolside lounge chair with your favorite book, marvel at the sunsets over the sound from your front porch and then be dazzled by the starriest night sky from the serenity of your private spa with LED lighting. At 4,023 square feet, Sandy Paws welcomes your family to its casually gracious spaces as well as generously sized bedrooms with private bathrooms for each.

Bring your groceries and never leave! Three refrigerator/freezers and a chest freezer in the shed mean you don’t have to go back to town to replenish your supplies!! Grill on the propane or charcoal grill while enjoying happy hour at the picnic table and watching the kids in the pool. With its double refrigerator/freezers, double cooktops and double dishwashers, the spacious indoor kitchen accommodates many chefs – with ample room for all.

Use the high-speed internet service to stream on your private device or the large screens in the living areas. A vibrant, surf-themed recreation room offers lounge furniture, a dart set, retro-style refrigerator/freezer and pool table as well as a large screen television (Dish TV cable). When the day is done, restore your body and mind through revitalizing slumber in one of Sandy Paws’ spacious, themed bedrooms.

Whether you seek active adventures, shopping and dining in Corolla, (a 9-mile drive down the beach) a chilled-out vacation or anything in between, make Sandy Paws your ultimate, most memorable vacation. It has everything you need and more.

Please visit Carova Cottages website for the savings enjoyed when booking direct.

4-wheel drive vehicle required. Linens are provided. Sunday Arrival. Two dogs allowed with fee. Pool heat available for a fee.

Features

Pets

  • pets considered

Location

  • Oceanfront

Entertainment

  • Game Room
  • Pool Table

View

  • Unobstructed ocean view

Photos

Availability

Key
#Night Available#Night Unavailable#Arrive Only#Depart Only
November 2024
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December 2024
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January 2025
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February 2025
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March 2025
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September 2025
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Rates

DatesNightly
11/21/2024 - 03/29/2025$400
03/30/2025 - 04/05/2025$420
04/06/2025 - 04/26/2025$346
04/27/2025 - 05/10/2025$500
05/11/2025 - 05/17/2025$558
05/18/2025 - 05/24/2025$570
05/25/2025 - 05/31/2025$785
06/01/2025 - 06/07/2025$892
06/08/2025 - 06/14/2025$1,064
06/15/2025 - 06/21/2025$1,285
06/22/2025 - 06/28/2025$1,289
06/29/2025 - 07/05/2025$1,299
07/06/2025 - 08/09/2025$1,289
08/10/2025 - 08/16/2025$1,113
08/17/2025 - 08/23/2025$1,028
08/24/2025 - 08/31/2025$765
09/01/2025 - 09/06/2025$720
09/07/2025 - 09/13/2025$656
09/14/2025 - 09/27/2025$470
09/28/2025 - 11/21/2025$432

Map

Reviews

Leave a Review

Great Escape!

September 2024
, Altoona, PA US

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

This home offered plenty of room for the whole family. The kitchen with all it's supplies, extra cooktop, extra refrigerators, and extra dishwasher came in handy. The heated pool was perfect for the cooler days. Thanks for providing such great customer service too!

Manager's Response

That kitchen!!!! TWO of everything!! So cooking is a breeze and cleanup is a breeze and keeping track from the sidelines is a breeze with the plentiful island seating. ;-)

Sandy Paws will pamper you with an elevator and pool heat as well! And the gas grill right next to the pool area, makes for a fun picnic! Thanks for your nice review! Please come again!

Family Beach Getaway 2024

September 2024
, Eastlake, OH US

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
4
Property condition
5

For years we talked of going away with all of us and I made that finally happen! Sandy Paws was perfect for our multi generational family. The house was more beautiful than the pictures! Everyone enjoyed the pool and the gorgeous sun rises. These professional got to relax and appreciate what's important. Laura was wonderful. Hope to return next summer. Loved the hatching of the sea turtles and 4 x 4 beach driving was awesome.

Manager's Response

There are so many reasons to LOVE Sandy Paws. The fact that it was a long awaited family getaway makes it even more special! When you throw in the wild horses, a "turtle boil" of hatchlings, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, it reaches PERFECTION!

It was long awaited but maybe now it's time to make it an annual celebration... please come back!

Perfect stay

August 2024
, Oakton, VA United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

Everything was perfect as usual. Repeat customer for good reason, they are perfect.

Manager's Response

Wow, perfect is a pretty nice complement. :-) :-) :-)

Thank you! See you next year!

Amazing Vacation

July 2024
, Mountain Top, PA United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

Our first time at Sandy Paws, we were so excited we got to bring our dogs which made the experience better. Our family got to spread out in the many rooms which were very clean and comfortable, kitchen fully stocked and spacious for multiple people to be cooking at the same time. Outside the kids used the pool and hot tub every day, the adults loved to grill and of course the beach. What an experience driving on the beach!!!! A four wheel drive lovers dream and great to not have to lug all our beach gear. We had a wonderful vacation!
House managers are terrific, came right over when we noticed a safety issue with one of the beds, thank you again!

Excellent Family Vacation

July 2024
, Greenville, NC US

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
4
Property condition
5

Wonderful adventure for our family of ten. The house was perfect with plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms. The lay out provided room for everyone to spread out and spend time together or separately when they wanted to. The outside grilling area, hot tub and pool were great. A really nice sized pool with plenty of lounging furniture. View was obstructed a bit by the dune but that can't be changed. When they say you need a four wheel drive, believe them. Our family drivers had no problem but one of the riders (grandma) didn't exactly love the 9 mile drive on the beach. Luckily with all the refrigerators and freezers, we were able to take enough supplies that the only trip back into to Corolla was for sunscreen. Management team was so easy to work with and responded quickly when we needed some help with a smoke detector. The best part was the horses who came to visit almost daily. They truly are beautiful !!

Beauty and comfort and adventure all in one.

June 2024
, State College, PA US

Overall
4
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
3
Property condition
4

Laura was awesome and very responsive! The pool was perfect and it was awesome to be able to drive all our beach supplies down to the beach to set up each day. The house was perfect with a huge table and large family gathering area. It was quiet and beautiful and everyone loved seeing the horses along the beach, on the dunes and even up around the house. As for location, this was our first time staying on the OBX and we decided it isn’t for everyone. We had two medical emergencies which meant a VERY LONG drive to an emergency facility. Also, plan to bring basic supplies like shampoo, hand soap, hair dryer, dish soap, toilette paper, paper towels, all spices starting with salt and pepper. Because of the drive we only left for our 2 emergencies and a couple of times to get supplies. I have been to drive on beaches before, but this was a totally different experience. You HAVE to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle with plenty of clearence below your truck to get through the soft sand ruts. As for returning, some loved being in a remote area. Some wanted to explore the area and have easier access to the amenities of Corolla, Duck and sites off the island. The only time it rained was at night so I don’t know what it was like to drive on the beach in the rain. Also, because the dunes are so high, there is not a clear view of the beach. You can see the water, but not the actual beach. Bottom line, we are all glad we went there for our family vacation this year. The house was outstanding and we loved being in a rental property that quickly felt like home. And it offered bit of adventure and sights that you would get no where else! Oh yes. There is a shed in the driveway that is FULL with beach and pool toys which was awesome.

Manager's Response

I think the beach driving is a love/hate thing. LOVE that you are secluded and there aren't many people around, HATE that you have to travel so far to get to the store. Emergency services are available from the local fire dept/ems but I guess if it isn't an emergency, the drive to Kitty Hawk is a slog, particularly if someone isn't feeling well. SO SORRY you had that happen TWICE!!!!! Somehow that drive gets longer and longer when you need to be somewhere fast!!


It sounds like you enjoyed the house, but maybe the drive was a detraction... as you say, it isn't for everyone. So bring your supplies, don't have any stressful emergencies, and experience the adventure that is Carova. It can be very relaxing!!

Wonderful spot for family fun!

June 2024
, Morgantown, WV United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

Perfect spot for family fun. The house is set up to accommodate a crowd of all ages. The pool and hot tub were perfect and the location was remote enough to not feel crowded.

Manager's Response

HAHA, you are right, it is the perfect spot for a crowd of all ages!! Three living rooms means you don't have to agonize over who gets to watch what on the living room tv since there are THREE living rooms!! ALSO, I don't know about your family, but in our family, there is always a group playing PS5 or some other game, so they can set up and play wherever they want! It's a pretty great setup for any largish family. And the elevator is a HUGE plus to get all the supplies up to the kitchen!! That's for any age group to enjoy!! LOL

Thanks for your nice review. Hope you enjoyed your OBX Boil!!!

Great house!

May 2024
, Bensalem, PA US

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

This house has absolutely EVERYTHING you need for your stay. It’sa welcoming space with great decor and enough room for everyone comfortably. Having your own bathroom for each room was a big plus. Only recommendation is to bring your own hand soap for the bathrooms.

Manager's Response

You are right, this house is really comfortable for any group. There are plenty of spaces to group together or find respite in your own bedroom with private bath. The location can't be beat either, with a dune walk to the ocean, and a quiet section of beach. You can really relax here!

Thanks for your nice review and so glad you are coming back in 2025!! We LOVE our repeat guests!

Neat Experience!

May 2024
, Columbia Station, OH US

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
4
Property condition
5

We had a fantastic time at Sandy Paws! The house was HUGE, the pool was perfect, and the direct access to the beach was great! The drive to get there was crazy (9 miles on the sand!) but as long as you catch it when the tide is lower it’s not too bad. Definitely an adventure! Saw lots of wild horses — a couple even came trotting through our carport at one point during the week. The one downside to the wild horses were the horse flies that bothered us on hot days both on the beach and at the pool — didn’t think to bring bug spray, though not sure it would have helped with the biting! Luckily it’s not like mosquitos where the bites itch afterward, they were just a bit of a nuisance. Other than that just make sure to bring your own spices as the house only has salt and pepper, though it was definitely a well-equipped kitchen and had all the equipment/utensils we needed to make meals (which was good because it was a 30 min back down the beach to get to any restaurants). My husband also enjoyed seeing military aircrafts fly by during the day — some came super close and made for a really neat experience!

All in all it was a great vacation and we were so grateful to have been able to make so many wonderful memories!

Manager's Response

What a nice review. You are right, the kitchen at Sandy Paws is very well equipped, even if your go-to meal is frozen pizza!! Three fridges means you could just stock up and go nowhere!! Sounds like a VERY nice way to spend a week at the beach!

So sorry about the horseflies. The wind must've been out of the west that day, so the bugs come west with it. When the wind changes, they go with it. Maybe a tennis racket would have made it into a sport? Send them west!!! Lol

We're so glad you enjoyed your stay. Hope you will return! We'd love to have you.

Best family vacation ever!

August 2023
, Linthicum, MD Unknown

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

Sandy Paws is a great property. Kitchen has every single thing you can imagine and settings for 20+ people. My bartender daughter was especially impressed with the completely stocks barware to include all the glassware and gadgets. Elevator was a huge plus for my Mom who had knee surgery in the Spring. Loved having the little table on the same floor as the great room and kitchen for games and puzzles. Even though the tropical storm came to visit, we had plenty to do inside with the game room and tv's o'plenty. House is staged with beautiful artwork and is very updated and well kept. Pool and horrible are top notch. My only suggestion would be to include more beach chairs to replace some of the Sandy Paws camping chairs. They are cute with the personalized logo on the back but not practical for our older family members. As usual, Laura is a dream and is available and responsive to answer questions and assist with requests. Best family vacation ever!

Manager's Response

Wow, such a great review. Sandy Paws is a joy for most chefs as evidenced by all the "kitchen wows" we get!! ;-) The elevator is also useful for us lazy folks who don't want to carry 25 bags of groceries up two flights of stairs ;-)

I want to put a spin on the storm. I LOVE A GOOD STORM! When else can you sit and watch waves roll in from 500 yards out... white water for as far as the eye can see? What beauty! And it was short lived enough that you got your sun back before you departed. I think that is the best of both worlds.

I'll let the owners know about your beach chairs concern. I know it gets harder every day to get out of a low chair. I end up rolling out. Damnit. lol

Wonderful stay

August 2023
, Broomall, PA United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

We loved Sandy Paws, quick, walk over the dunes to the beach, kitchen was well stocked with all the utensils we needed, and beds were comfortable.
We are an older couple, and don’t have a lot of streaming apps on our phones, and the owner provided ESPN for us to watch the Little League World Series!! Much appreciated!!

Manager's Response

That was a first for us... Little League World Series please!! LOL So glad it worked out. I hope you all will come again. That would make it three years with Carova Cottages!! We'd love to see you again!

Lovely home!

July 2023
, Lincoln University, PA United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
4
Property condition
5

I’ve stayed in many rentals including in the Outer Banks. Sandy Paws is the best we’ve stayed at - well appointed, clean and just nice and comfortable all around. Location may be a bit far from Corolla if you like heading into town a lot. But if you want a relaxing time on the beach without a ton of people around, Sandy Paws is a truly lovely place to be. The kitchen is organized and had lots of things most rentals do not. The bed rooms are comfortable. We’ll loved the place. We loved our stay!

Manager's Response

Thank you so much for your great review. Everyone seems to feel the same way about the kitchen at Sandy Paws! Make your own meals in this fantastic kitchen with enough refrigerators to keep seven days of food on hand. Add the two dishwashers for clean up and all you have to do is work up your appetite while sitting poolside! We're so glad you loved your stay in this comfortable home. Please come again!!

Sandy Paws A++

July 2023
, South Elgin, IL United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
4
Location
5
Property condition
5

We could not have been more pleased with our week at Sandy Paws. Beautifully decorated home with a wonderful location and fully stocked with everything we needed. It was the perfect size for our family, and the memories created there will last a lifetime! Great dealing with Laura at Carova Cottages. We loved everything about this house and hope to be back again!

Manager's Response

We're so glad your family is returning for more "A++" vacation. Truly a testament to the wonderful family time you can get at Sandy Paws!! See you next year!!

Most relaxing vacation

July 2023
, Manahawkin , NJ United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
4
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

We have been going to carova for 15 years. This was our first year at paws. The first thing we lived was how clean they keep it. It was great to have everything there in the house. We loved the second couch on the middle floor. There was so much space for all of us.

Manager's Response

You are so right. There are living areas on every floor. It makes it easy to have a quiet conversation with a small group. But the house can certainly handle a big family.

We're so glad you found it clean and complete!! Thanks so much for your review!

Most relaxing vacation

July 2023
, Manahawkin , NJ United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
4
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

We have been going to carova for 15 years. This was our first year at paws. The first thing we lived was how clean they keep it. It was great to have everything there in the house. We loved the second couch on the middle floor. There was so much space for all of us.

Manager's Response

You are so right. There are living areas on every floor. It makes it easy to have a quiet conversation with a small group. But the house can certainly handle a big family.

We're so glad you found it clean and complete!! Thanks so much for your review!

True Getaway

June 2023
, Schuylkill Haven , PA United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

Our vacation to Sandy Paws was simply, perfect! The home, location, and amenities created a relaxing getaway from life! This was our first vacation to the Outer Banks and the 4x4 beach location is going to be hard to top! We were away from crowds and most days, had the beach to mostly to ourselves! There are so many positives this house has to offer: elevator, huge open upper floor, pool, hot tub, drive your belongings to the beach, beautiful views, and many more. But really, the best part was the daily visits from the many horses that roam freely. Most times, they were between the houses, on the dunes, or in our driveway! This vacation was definitely one of the best!

Manager's Response

NICE!! Sandy Paws is a relaxing spot in a relaxing spot! What more could you ask for? LOL.

The horses love those dunes, and isn't it picturesque to see them grazing? I bet you got some pretty fantastic pictures.

So glad you had such a great week. Please consider a return visit. We'd love to have you!

Highly Recommend Sandy Paws!

June 2023
, Van Meter, IA United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

Our family (6 adults & 5 children) all highly recommend Sandy Paws!
We loved all the space, beachy decor, boardwalk to the beach, wonderful views of the dunes, ocean, sunrises & wild horses! We saw wild horses everyday! One wild horse even pooped on the boardwalk that leads to the beach! How’s that for wild horse beach charm?! Funny!
The kitchen is perfect for 3 families. It has all the equipment you could want and then some! Three refrigerators, a freezer, 2 dishwashers, 2 stove tops, many quality kitchen appliances, a crab pot, and every imaginable kitchen utensil! Thanks, Sandy Paws owners!
The elevator was a life saver in getting all our supplies upstairs. It has safety features which we appreciated since our group included 5 children, ages 5-8.
The fenced in pool (we paid the extra to have it heated) was great! The outside pool seating & chairs on all the decks were plentiful & perfect.
Laura James, Carova Cottages, answered our many questions promptly. We appreciated her help!

Manager's Response

What a wonderful recap of what sounds like a wonderful vacation! We're so glad you had so much fun. Sounds like the horses provided plenty of entertainment!! They are so funny sometimes.

Sandy Paws really does have everything you need for a large family to just relax and enjoy each other. Meals don't prepare themselves but at least the cooking is easy in the well thought out kitchen.

I hope you will bring your family back to Sandy Paws, though your trip to Alaska sounds pretty enticing too! Can I come along?.. what's one more? ;-)

Thanks Kathie!


After this review went public, the owner wrote to me and I am copying her words here:

"We work hard to make sure that the kitchen has everything anyone would need. Just stayed in a rental cabin in TN with our friends and their teens. Couldn’t find a single platter to present a family meal. It lacked a lot of things that cooks need. I was missing the kitchen at Sandy Paws!!! "

McMullin - Sandy Paws - Week Ended 5-14-23

May 2023
, Harleysville, PA United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

We had a great time and loved the house! Would definitely stay again.

Manager's Response

Come back any time. We would LOVE to have you! :-)

Amazing house, amazing location

April 2023
, North Reading, MA United States

Overall
5
Services from rental manager
5
Cleanliness
5
Location
5
Property condition
5

House is beautiful and stocked with everything you need. So close to the beach and the pool area with hot tub was great.

Manager's Response

Sandy Paws really is a beautiful home. The owners have thought of everything!! So glad you all enjoyed your time there!