Carolina Colours, New Bern, NC

About Carolina Colours

Carolina Colours is in New Bern, in the Crystal Coast & New Bern region of North Carolina. Status: Open. Not age-restricted; it is included for retiree-oriented amenities.

Carolina Colours is a master-planned community on the New Bern side of Craven County, with its association office at 3300 Waterscape Way, New Bern, NC 28562. The Carolina Colours Association describes a contemporary southern coastal community adjacent to the Croatan National Forest, with mature pines throughout and what it calls the qualities of small Carolina towns. Its real estate page says the community's location, accessibility, beauty, amenities and active lifestyle attract both retirees and people raising families, so it is a retiree-friendly community rather than an age-restricted one.

The Association's amenity list is concrete. The Pavilion is a 17,000-square-foot community clubhouse with Kirkman's Cafe, a large ballroom, several gathering rooms, the Association staff offices and an extensive lending library. The swimming pool has a shallow wading area, a main pool and swim lanes, and hosts pool parties, swim meets and fitness classes such as aqua aerobics. There are tennis and pickleball courts, an activity center with exercise equipment and yoga classes, and a community dog park. Residents also point to hiking in the neighboring Croatan National Forest.

Golf is the organizing amenity. The Association describes Carolina Colours Golf Club as an 18-hole championship course of about 7,000 yards with eight marked tee boxes ranging from 4,000 to more than 7,000 yards, A1/A4 bent grass greens, and "L"-shaped tees. It says the course is rated number 50 of public courses in North Carolina by the NC Golf Panel and that memberships are available for singles and families. The Association also lists a Men's Golf Association and a Ladies' Golf Association that run weekly competitions. Because the course is described as public-ranked with memberships available, ask the club what golf costs for a resident who plays several times a week and whether a membership is required or optional.

The Association's real estate page describes an on-site commercial center anchored by an upscale grocery, and says the land plan uses natural features such as creeks, ponds, lakes and forests to form distinct neighborhoods, so a buyer can choose a quieter or more socially active setting. Homes range in size, style and floor plan; the Association does not post a price list, so use recent sold data for the specific neighborhood.

Ownership comes with design rules. The Association's information for prospective homeowners says approval is required before roof or siding replacement, exterior painting including doors and shutters, installing a fence, hardscaping such as patios, walkways, firepits, retaining walls and pools, a trash container enclosure, flagpole, storage shed or greenhouse, driveway expansion, tree removal, and planting trees or shrubs visible from the street. A volunteer Improvement Review Committee, approved by the Executive Board of Directors of the property owners' association, reviews new construction and those changes against the approved covenants, standards and policy guidelines. Anyone planning a pool, a fence or a larger driveway should ask for the review standards before closing.

Property tax depends on exactly where a lot sits. Craven County's 2026 tax rate sheet lists a county rate of 0.4448 per $100 of value and a $72.00 recycle fee, with fire district totals between 0.4648 and 0.5198 in the rural townships it lists and a total of 0.8648 inside the City of New Bern. Which row applies to a Carolina Colours address depends on whether the lot is inside city limits and which fire district serves it, so ask the county tax office or the seller for the specific code. The NC Department of Revenue's 2025-26 table lists Craven's latest revaluation as 2023 and next as 2028, so rates and values are likely to be reset then. See the New Bern page for the city's tax discussion and the NC retirement taxes guide for income tax.

Age restrictions at Carolina Colours

No age restriction is described for Carolina Colours. The Association's real estate page says the community attracts both retirees and those wanting to raise a family. Rules that apply to owners are set in the recorded covenants and the Association's standards and policy guidelines; request them before contract.

Housing types at Carolina Colours

• Single-family homes
• Homesites

Pricing at Carolina Colours

Prices vary by neighborhood and home. The Association refers buyers to a property search provided by Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage and to real estate agents; use recent closed sales in the specific neighborhood and a current appraisal.

HOA and fees at Carolina Colours

The Association's Information page, titled Before You Buy, says prospective buyers can find community standards, association requirements, fees, architectural guidelines and builder requirements there. Ask the Association office at 252-772-0200 for the current assessment, what it covers, any amenity or golf charges that are separate, the reserve position and any planned special assessments, and request the covenants and budget before contract.

Amenities at Carolina Colours

• 17,000-square-foot Pavilion with Kirkman's Cafe, ballroom and lending library
• 18-hole golf course with eight tee boxes and men's and ladies' golf associations
• Swimming pool with swim lanes and fitness classes
• Tennis and pickleball courts
• Activity center with exercise equipment and yoga
• Dog park
• On-site commercial center anchored by a grocery

Healthcare near Carolina Colours

CarolinaEast Medical Center, at 2000 Neuse Blvd. in New Bern, is the flagship of CarolinaEast Health System, described by the system as a 350-bed, multi-facility regional provider with an emergency room, cardiovascular services, a cancer center, orthopedics and neurology among its services. Test the drive from a Carolina Colours address at the times you would travel, and see the healthcare access guide.

Airport access from Carolina Colours

Carteret County's Port and Airports page identifies Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN), in the city of New Bern, as the closest airport with commercial air service to the Crystal Coast, with daily American Airlines service to Charlotte for connections. Check the drive time from the specific address.

Why Carolina Colours is included

A master-planned golf community beside the Croatan National Forest near New Bern whose association says it attracts both retirees and families, with a clubhouse pavilion, golf, tennis, pickleball and fitness amenities; it has no age restriction.

Guides relevant to Carolina Colours

• 55-Plus Community vs. Conventional Neighborhood in the Carolinas