Sanderling is the brainchild of Earl Slick, a Texas oil man whose aviation cargo service was the first in history to deliver fresh market goods by air transport to Texas and beyond. Eventually, Slick settled in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He fell in love with the Outer Banks after spending time here fishing and hunting.

In the early 70’s, he purchased land on the northern banks in the areas now known as Sanderling and Pine Island, including the private Pine Island Hunt Club, which became his Outer Banks residence. Mr. Slick also bought the old Caffey’s Inlet Lifesaving Station, located just south of the Club. In 1977 he applied for its acceptance into the National Register of Historic Places. It is now fully restored and serves as a restaurant on the grounds of The Sanderling Inn.

In 1979, he donated the nearly 3,000 acres of Hunt Club land to the Audubon Society. Most of the land to the west of 12 between Sanderling and The Currituck Club is still protected, thanks to this gift.

The development of the community of Sanderling began not long after that. His respect and love of nature and history was evident throughout the concept, design and attitude of the buildings. Still in the covenants of the community today are environmentally-friendly standards not seen in any other community. The trees on all properties are to be disturbed as little as possible and no private pools are allowed.

The Sanderling of today looks much as Mr. Slick would have wanted, with homes tucked into ancient oak tree groves that stretch over private roads, ocean to sound. Sanderling is the most northern community in Duck, comprised of about 340 individual homes and homesites. The Sanderling Inn is the crown of the community at the northern end of the property, with a spa, pools, and several restaurants.