Tour with us to see the
Outer Banks Wild Horses
what to expect during your tour
Want to see wild ponies and discover some of the most unique sights the Outer Banks has to offer? With new, exclusive access to the Wild Horse Sanctuary, we take you through three distinct ecosystems in search of local wildlife and the Outer Banks Wild Spanish Mustangs.
Feel the ocean breeze and taste the salty beach air as you cruise through the Carova outback in our exclusive OPEN AIR Hummer tours. With more terrain, no two tours are ever the same; so, if you like history, ecology, adventure, and quick-witted comedy, we have you covered!
Our highly trained tour guides tell stories of legends, local lore, and ecology. The route takes you past the Whalehead Club and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, commonly referred to as the Corolla Light. We will give you a brief overview of each and you can return at your leisure to tour them later. From there we hit the beach to cover almost 20 miles of pristine beaches to see sights you just won’t believe. We commonly see surfing dolphin and the occasional fox, deer, and boar.
The “Banker” horses roam free across the northern stretches of the Outer Banks. These legendary horses are a unique breed of horse due to their long history on the Outer Banks dating bank to the early 1500s. You will have the opportunity to see this amazing example of adaptation in their natural settings, on the beach, dunes and Maritime forests.
Feel free to bring drinks and snacks and most importantly- your camera. All tours last a little over two hours and allow for great photo opportunities.
Video Produced by Twiddy & Company
East Carolina Radio, Dixie 105.7 and 96.7 the Coast and Wild Horse Adventure Tours are honored to partner with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund for their Fall Fundraiser. With their facilities closed to the public and events for the time being cancelled, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund looks to find innovative new ways to endure in these difficult times.
Their fall fundraiser just happens to be a song. “Castaño” captures the spirit and the significance of the Corolla wild horses. This amazing song is the inspiration for this fundraiser.
The song, video, and lyrics are available as a download for $5 on the Corolla Wild Horse Fund’s website. You can click through to CWHF from here. Supporters will be given an opportunity to donate more if they wish. Your donation will help them continue their crucial work.
Working together with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund and Wild Horse Adventure Tours, we hope to meet the goal of raising $20,000 to assist the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. Thank you for your support!
Open-Air Tour in a customized Hummer H1
Our 13 passenger open-air Hummer starts life as a Hummer H1, we then upgrade many of the mechanical components to the military spec equivalents, recondition the engine and drive-train and finally extend the frame and body by two feet. After customization, the Hummer is capable of seating 13 passengers with more leg room than any standard SUV. Individual seats that are 21 inches wide (no bench seats), in a stadium seating configuration, offer ultimate comfort and visibility for all.
Meet the Guides
Tom S.
After 28 years with the U.S. Marshals Service, Tom traded in his badge (and chicken suit) for swim trunks and keys to a hummer. Tom is one of only a few hundred people to call Corolla his home year-round. When he’s not tracking down horses, Tom is volunteering as a firefighter/EMT or traveling with his lovely wife of 30+ years.
Ryan
Originally from Woodstock, GA, Ryan Riley is an avid surfer, hiker and world-wide traveler. South Africa, Mozambique, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka are just some of the places he’s explored. As a five-year veteran of WHAT, Ryan has attained extensive knowledge about the horses and local area. He will teach you everything you need to know about our coastal waters and wildlife. One of Ryan’s proudest moments was being voted, “Cutest tour guide” in 2016.
Charles
Charles is a real southern gentleman with an infectious Tennessee charm. During his younger days, Charles was a rugby player and member of the U.S. Air Force. When he’s not giving tours, Charles is driving cross country or sipping on fine bourbon. Charles is also known for his jailbreak from the company meditation/yoga retreat to find himself a chili cheese dog in town (only vegetarian and vegan options were available).
Aubrey
If you have any questions about living in foreign countries, Aubrey can give you the low down. Growing up, Aubrey moved often due to her dad’s job in the Air Force. Italy, Germany, and Korea are some of the places she’s called home. In her free time, Aubrey illustrates children books, paints, and advocates for animal rights. She has also traveled around South America to work for animal rescues.
Mike
Mike is a recent graduate from UNC Chapel Hill where he studied psychology. As a child, Mike often visited the Outer Banks with his family, but grew up in Richmond, VA. In his free time, you can find Mike watching documentaries with his dog Luke or indulging in local sea food. Mike’s passion for history provides him with ample information to discus on tour.
Nora (Pippy)
Ms. Pippy is an avid horse lover, artist, and educator. She loves sharing the regions history and horses with visitors and locals alike. Nora has a rescued horse she adopted named Mo, a mutt named Carl, and a chihuahua named Chihuahua. During the school year she teaches a variety of courses in the art departments of the local community college and university.
Kelly
Before working for WHAT, Kelly was a biology student at High Point University. After working in a research facility for a couple years, she ditched the lab coat and headed for the coast. Kelly has a unique, bubbly personality and lots of knowledge to share. Her co-workers often poke fun at her Minnesota accent and love for Vikings football. When she’s not driving hummers, Kelly enjoys spending time at the beach with her dog, Carova.
Wiley
A local legend, Wiley resides on an island in the middle of the Currituck sound and commutes via boat to work (weather and good water permitting). Wiley grew up hunting, surfing, and cruising these very beaches long before the town of Corolla was even a thought and has been with the company from its point of inception. His lifetime wealth of knowledge and epic stories make him a character as salty as the Outer Banks themselves.
Tom Baker (The Outlaw)
When Tom Baker joined team WHAT, he was already prepared with loads of information and classic stories of the area. It wasn’t far into his touring career that he obtained the nickname “The Outlaw.” Wiley and Tom grew up together surfing and causing mischief in North Beach long before route 12 extended through Corolla. If you’re lucky enough to have The Outlaw as your guide, you are guaranteed to learn everything there is to know about the horses, their preservation and other wildlife.
Stu
Stu’s interests include: local history, OBX lighthouses, The Wright Brothers, and of course, the wild mustangs of Corolla. Although he is originally from Virginia, Stu is an enthusiastic New England sports fan and detests the Yankees. Regardless of the weather, Stu is typically sporting colorful boardshorts that you can’t help but compliment. A four-year veteran of WHAT, he’s sure to provide you with an informative, entertaining tour.
Jessica
Born and raised on Cape Cod, Jessica is no stranger to the beach life. In her free time, she can be found surfing, hiking, climbing and traveling the globe. Jessica has been traveling to the Outer Banks since she was a child and has seen firsthand how the landscape has changed over time. A self-proclaimed “tree hugger/animal lover,” Jessica will teach you all about our environment, the horses and diverse ecosystems while having a ton of fun along the way.
Richard
After coming and going from the Outer Banks his whole life, Richard finally decided to settle down in Kill Devil Hills. He started surfing these beaches in the 70s which provided him with a passion for the ocean at a young age. Richard loves to educate people on respecting wild life and preservation. When he’s not giving amazing horse tours, Richard enjoys being outside and active. Fun fact: Richard was a voice major in college, but currently sticks to singing in the shower.
Dan
Dan is a recent graduate from University of North Carolina Wilmington where he was a member of the track and field team and studied political science. This Jersey native has a wild spirit and love for nature. Dan enjoys long walks on the beach searching for ghost crabs, studying astronomy, and is one our finest canal fisherman. He is a well-rounded guide who’s knowledge of the area spreads far wider than our beautiful horses.
