A great OBX beach driving day starts with the right gear in your vehicle. Whether you’re driving Corolla’s wild horse beaches, the Cape Hatteras ORV ramps, or Ocracoke’s South Point, the same core gear list applies. Some items are required, some are smart, and a few will save your trip.
Required Documents
Keep these where a ranger can see them or grab them quickly:
- Your beach driving permit (Currituck, NPS ORV, or Nags Head town permit)
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of insurance
- Driver’s license
Recovery Gear (The Non-Negotiables)
This is the gear that gets you unstuck or helps another driver who is. Don’t drive on the beach without it:
- Tire pressure gauge — dial or digital
- Tire deflator (or a four-tire kit)
- Portable 12V air compressor — to air back up
- Tow strap with shackles or recovery loops — minimum 20,000 lb rating
- Shovel — full-size or folding, to dig out tires
- Traction boards — Maxtrax-style boards or wood planks for serious recoveries
- Jack and base plate — a regular jack will sink in sand without a flat plate or jack pad
Safety Gear
- First-aid kit
- Flashlight or headlamp (essential for evening recoveries)
- Cell phone with car charger
- Paper map of the area (cell service is spotty in Carova, Cape Hatteras, and Ocracoke)
- Fire extinguisher
- Spare tire (checked and properly inflated)
Sun, Wind, and Weather
- Sunscreen (high SPF, reef-safe)
- Sunglasses
- Hats for everyone in the vehicle
- Lightweight long sleeves for sun protection
- Windbreaker or rain shell — beach weather changes fast
- Beach blanket or pop-up shade
Food and Water
- At least 1 gallon of water per person per day
- Cooler with ice for food and drinks
- Snacks that don’t melt (jerky, nuts, fruit)
- Trash bags — Leave No Trace is the rule on every OBX beach
For the Beach Day Itself
- Beach chairs
- Towels
- Swimsuits and a change of clothes
- Bodyboards, surfboards, or fishing gear
- Camera or GoPro
Fishing-Specific Gear (Cape Hatteras)
If you’re surf fishing the seashore, you’ll also want:
- Surf rod and tackle
- Sand spikes
- Bait cooler
- North Carolina fishing license
See the OBX Surf Fishing guide for more.
What NOT to Bring
- Glass containers (broken glass on the beach is a serious hazard)
- Pets without leashes (most OBX beaches require leashes year-round)
- Drones in protected wildlife areas
- Open alcohol while driving (illegal in every OBX beach driving zone)
A Family-Friendly Tip
If you’re bringing kids, pack a small bag of “vehicle quiet activities” for the drive between stops, plus extra snacks. The beach is long and the drives between attractions can take longer than expected, especially in Carova and Cape Hatteras.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Before you leave the house or vacation rental, run through the Outer Banks Beach Driving Safety Checklist to make sure you haven’t missed anything critical.