Blog

Topsail Island is a basic seaside vacation spot alongside the North Carolina coast. Due to its idealistic seashores and sleepy seaside cities, there may be a lot to like about Topsail.

Even the island’s identify harkens again to days of pirates who would conceal their boats within the channel between the island and the mainland. Solely the ship’s sails could be seen from the Atlantic.

It’s mentioned chances are you’ll discover hidden treasure from Blackbeard, however you’re extra more likely to have a splendid seaside trip on one in every of North Carolina’s greatest seashores. That is largely due to the plethora of issues to do in Topsail Island, which we’ll dig into!

The place is Topsail Island?

Earlier than we dig into one of the best issues to do in Topsail, let’s chat location. Topsail Island is a 26 mile lengthy barrier island proper off the coast of Southern North Carolina. It’s south of Jacksonville, however north of Wilmington. There are three most important communities on Topsail Island: North Topsail Seaside, Surf Metropolis, and Topsail Seaside.

It’s a preferred trip vacation spot in North Carolina with loads of trip leases alongside the entire coast. The one two methods onto the island are by way of a bridge in Surf Metropolis and a bridge in North Topsail Seaside.

Not like many Wilmington seashores, Topsail Island by no means will get too crowded and there aren’t any tacky chain eating places or vacationer traps to cope with.

Topsail Island Seaside Entry

Topsail Island presents a number of public seaside entry factors for guests which can be conveniently positioned and simply accessible from varied factors on the island.

North Topsail Seaside Accesses: There are numerous public seaside accesses in North Topsail Seaside, together with the New River Inlet, which is the most well-liked seaside entry on the island.
Surf Metropolis Seaside Accesses: There are public seaside accesses in Surf Metropolis, together with the Surf Metropolis Pier, which is a well-liked landmark and an amazing spot for fishing.
Topsail Seaside Accesses: There are public seaside accesses in Topsail Seaside, together with the Jolly Roger Pier, which is a widely known fishing spot on the island.

Finest Issues to Do On Topsail Island

Calm down on the Seaside

It’s robust to beat the seashores of North Carolina, and Topsail isn’t any exception. At 26 miles lengthy there may be lots of seaside house to unfold out and declare your spot on the beautiful seaside. Clearly, benefit from the seaside is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Topsail! The expansive pure seaside delivers loads of rolling dunes, pure vegetation, and a vivid teal-colored ocean.

With all that beautiful seaside it’s little marvel the highest factor to do on Topsail island is to loosen up on the seaside. So carry some seaside chairs, towels, and an umbrella! This seaside packing record is tremendous useful to be sure you have all of the necessities.

Seize A Taco at Shaka Taco

Top-of-the-line issues to do in Topsail NC is eat tacos and seafood – or each! For among the greatest seafood on Topsail Island head to Shaka Taco in Surf Metropolis. They serve up some superb fish, shrimp, and contemporary native catch tacos/bowls.

On our go to, the particular was blacked cobia tacos with pickled relish. Guests can count on some implausible contemporary meals with out of doors seating and craft beer.

Play A Spherical of Corn Gap

It’s robust to discover a recreation extra becoming for the seaside than corn gap. In fact, it doesn’t must be corn gap, however any seaside recreation is an effective way to move time.

Spikeball is one other hit and is addictively enjoyable regardless of your age! When you’re with buddies or have children it’s just about a necessity.

Drive On The North Finish

On the North finish of Topsail Island is the Onslow County Seaside Entry #3 which permits for automobiles to drive on the seaside. When you prefer to tailgate together with your truck that is an superior spot. Deep sand, wild rolling coastal sand dunes, and a turbulent inlet make for an attention-grabbing panorama.

To drive on the seaside a 4×4 automobile is required. No bikes, ATVs, or go-karts are allowed. Guests might want to drive on the seaside year-round and could be bought on the gate entrance. The seaside is barely open throughout daytime and no nighttime entry is allowed.

Entry Cross Prices

Every day – $25.00
Weekly – $100.00
Annual – $250.00

Lease A Surfboard

Heat waters and constant waves make Topsail Island a great spot to catch a wave. You may journey to the island with your personal surfboards or you’ll be able to decide up a rental at 50 South Surf Store in Surf Metropolis. The surf store delivers throughout the island and has a variety of boards obtainable to hire they usually supply SUP, kayaks, and bikes.

The principle surf spots on the island are across the piers and on the Level positioned on the north aspect of the aspect island. To test the surf forecast head to the Magic Seaweed.

Go Fishing on One of many Foremost Piers

You don’t want a ship or to pay the steep value for a constitution boat to go fishing on Topsail Island. As with many North Carolina seashores, there are a selection of fishing piers that present inexpensive entry to fishing. Pylons off the piers additionally provide a wholesome habitat for the fish and a variety of fish to be caught.

Topsail Island has three fishing piers unfold throughout the island. Fish typically caught off the piers are mullet, bonito, drums, flounder, blues, speckled trout, sheepshead, and Mackerels. Tickets or passes are required to fish off the piers, and spectators will pay a lowered value of round $2. Piers in NC function like business fishing constitution boats and company are usually not required to have a state-issued license.

Seaview Pier

The Seaview pier is positioned in North Topsail Seaside and incorporates a no-frills seafood restaurant that serves contemporary native catch.

Charges:

$14 Every day Fishing Cross (2 rods)
$2 Spectator Cross
$5 Seaside & Pier Entry

Surf Metropolis Pier

Surf Metropolis is essentially the most centrally positioned pier that incorporates a grill, present store, and huge bait deal with store. The deal with store additionally presents rod leases so you’ll be able to fish even should you shouldn’t have your personal deal with.

Charges:

$10 Every day Fishing Cross – Per Rod
$5 Every day Childs Cross – Per Rod
$1 Spectator Cross
$10 Rod Rental

Jolly Roger Pier

In Topsail Seaside is the Jolly Roger Pier extends 850 toes lengthy and is a great spot for fishing. Connected to the pier is the quaint Jolly Rogers Inn.

Charges:

$16 Every day Fishing Cross
$8 Every day Childs Cross
$2 Spectator Cross

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Middle

Simply over the bridge in Surf Metropolis is the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue Middle. The middle’s aim is to assist support within the conservation of the ocean turtle inhabitants round Topsail Island. It’s important work for the Loggerhead Turtle inhabitants because the island’s seashores are nesting grounds for the turtles.

Each season native volunteers work with the middle to stroll each mile of the seaside every day looking for turtle nests that want safety. As soon as recognized the nests are protected and noticed. Ought to any turtle require rescue or support alongside the seaside the middle will step in and supply assist.

If you wish to meet some turtles up shut and private the middle has excursions open to the general public for an affordable value. It’s an amazing thought for households and anybody desirous to study extra about sea turtles. As a bonus, ticket gross sales assist assist the middle!

$7 Common Admission (13 and up)
$6 Seniors and Army
$5 Youngsters (2-12 years)
$0 Infants and Toddlers (0-1 years)

Lease A Boat

Take to the Intracoastal Waterway and hire a ship to discover among the numerous ecological biomes of coastal Carolina. It’s an effective way to go fishing or simply discover among the quite a few islands round waterways.

Study About The Topsail Towers

The US Army launched Operation Bumblebee after the tip of WWII in 1946. The operational aim was to start testing fashionable propulsion for missiles and spacecraft. Throughout this time Topsail Island was an undeveloped barrier island and was chosen because the check facility.

A collection of photographic towers have been constructed alongside the island to check the rockets’ trajectory. Practically 200 experimental rockets have been launched from the bottom over 18 months earlier than this system moved to Cape Canaveral. Nevertheless, Topsail nonetheless has its mark in historical past and performed an essential function within the growth of recent rocket and jet propulsion.

Most of the towers constructed for the operation nonetheless exist and could be seen alongside the island. A small museum in Topsail referred to as Missiles & Extra Museum the place guests can study extra concerning the operation and historical past on Topsail Island.

Topsail Seaside Skating Rink

It may be robust to determine what to do on wet days in Topsail. Nevertheless, the Topsail Seaside Skating Rink presents a blast from the previous with curler skating. It’s an inexpensive expertise too and an effective way to move a while. Charges are $8 per skater with leases included.

Go For A Swim

The easiest way to beat the summer time warmth is by taking a deep within the Atlantic Ocean. I like to spend my time physique browsing within the waves, however it’s equally stress-free to drift within the shallows.

On a peaceful day and with good currents the ocean could be crystal clear on Topsail Island. You’ve come to benefit from the seaside and Topsail is an distinctive place to take action.

Browse Quarter Moon Books & Items

The eclectic Quarter Moon Books & Items has been a neighborhood establishment for a number of a long time. You may decide up a brand new e book, discover a present, have a cup of espresso, and even loosen up on their out of doors patio with a glass of wine or craft beer. All year long, Quarter Moon hosts quite a lot of occasions corresponding to dwell bands!

Get pleasure from Dawn or Sundown

One among our favourite issues concerning the coast of North Carolina and Topsail Island is the astounding sunrises and sunsets. Due to the humidity and coastal breeze it’s fairly frequent for the sky to show a fiery orange and a myriad of colours.

Dawn is greatest close to one of many piers alongside the seaside whereas sundown is nice on the Intracoastal Waterway wanting westward.

Go to The Historic Wilmington Waterfront

Topsail lies solely 40 miles North of the historic port city of Wilmington. Personally, Wilmington holds a particular place in our hearts as it’s dwelling to our Alma Mater and the place Natasha and I met. My household nonetheless lives right here and we spend a lot of our time in Wilmington.

The historic downtown has loads to supply guests. You may try among the boutique retailers and ILM coffees retailers on the Cotton Mill, seize dinner at a restaurant, get pleasure from one in every of Wilmington’s many craft breweries, or scare your self on a historic ghost tour.

Hang around on Surf Metropolis

Topsail for essentially the most half is a charmingly sleepy seaside city, however Surf Metropolis has essentially the most to supply on the island.

Seize espresso and donuts on the Fractured Prune, dinner at Sears Touchdown, or a beer on the Salty Turtle Brewery. Surf Metropolis additionally serves as a hub for seaside leases corresponding to bikes, surfboards, and even boats.

Southside Park

For households, Southside Park is a superb place to let the youngsters play. The quaint park has a jungle fitness center on the water with a view of the Surf Metropolis Bridge. It has a fishing pier, boat launch, and picnic shelters that serve guests to the island.

Bike Alongside Topsail Island

A good way to get alongside the island is to hop on two wheels. You may bike alongside the Topsail Island bike path, the seaside, or alongside any of the island’s roads. At 26 miles lengthy and roads with slower pace limits, a motorbike is a fairly nice strategy to get round.

Simply be ready for using in opposition to the wind should you plan to cowl any distance! 50 South Surf Store, Experience TI Ebike Leases, and Mutiny Ebikes all supply bike leases for guests. The latter retailers supply e-bikes which make for a straightforward strategy to get round!

Paddle Board

We love paddleboarding because it’s a sport that may be as stress-free or sporty as you’d like. They’re just a little robust for areas with lots of waves.

Nevertheless, the Intracoastal waterway and marshlands on the western aspect of Topsail Island make for a implausible space to paddleboard. It’s an effective way to discover nature and luxuriate in some solar! You may hire paddleboards at Topsail Surf and Cycle.

Calm down Alongside the Coastal Marshes

The marshes that encompass a lot of the island are a serene location to spend your days. It’s our favourite spot to catch the sundown. Because the solar dips alongside the horizon the reeds tackle a golden hue and rustle within the wind whereas birds fly far overhead. Head to one of many quite a few boat docks alongside the waterway to catch a sundown.

Go Surf Fishing

When you like a bit extra space when fishing surf fishing is a superb sport. The seashores are free and it’s fairly straightforward to search out house on Topsail’s quiet seashores. You’ll need a rod and a North Carolina fishing license.

Hunt For Seashells and Shark Tooth

The picturesque pure seashores of Topsail Island are ripe for seashells and shark enamel. If you wish to discover one of the best shells, it’s greatest to stroll the seashores each morning! It additionally helps to go throughout low tide and to know the tide schedule for that matter! When you’re really fortunate chances are you’ll even spot some Megalodon enamel which have been discovered on the island.

Spot The Native Wildlife

You would possibly take into consideration recognizing an abundance of wildlife in your seaside trip, however you’ll be stunned by Topsail. The Carolina coast is filled with wildlife due to conservation practices put in place by the state authorities. You may repeatedly count on to identify dolphins, turtles, pelicans, crabs, jellyfish, and varied birds.

Stroll Alongside The Seaside

There’s no higher strategy to spend your time on Topsail Island than strolling alongside its shores. When you’re on the lookout for one of the best time morning and night are all the time greatest because it’s essentially the most quiet time of day.

Finest Eating places on Topsail Island

Surf Metropolis BBQ: Good little low key lunch spot in Surf Metropolis!
Daddy Mac’s Seaside Grille: For beachfront in Surf Metropolis right here you may get contemporary seafood, burgers, steaks, and pasta!
Ocean’s Edge: For a particular expertise in North Topsail Seaside, make a reservation at Ocean’s Edge so you’ll be able to dine with sea views.

Finest Issues to do in Topsail Island Map