Topsail Island North Carolina offers a laid-back getaway with serene beaches and a small-town atmosphere. Topsail Island is a 26-mile long barrier island just off the North Carolina coast, with three charming seaside towns: North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. Topsail Island is off the coast of North Carolina but is located farther north then the Outer Banks.
Stay in one of the three main towns: North Topsail Beach, Surf City, or Topsail Beach. Each provides a unique and fun beach experience. With its maritime forests and natural landscape, North Topsail Beach is surrounded by water on three sides and offers dog-friendly shores. Surf City, located in the middle of the island, is the most commercial destination, offering lots of dining options, shopping, and community events. Situation on the southernmost end of the island, Topsail Beach is a coastal town with untouched sands and unbeatable views.
Make sure to visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. Visitors can volunteer at the sea turtle hospital, take a tour of the facility, and help with the rehabilitation efforts of the turtle patients. Or cast a line off of the Surf City Ocean Pier. Or hop in a kayak to explore the sound, inlet, and ocean surrounding the town. In Topsail Beach, set up your chair at Serenity Point to catch a breathtaking sunset. There is plenty for everyone in Topsail Beach North Carolina. To learn about all the best North Carolina beaches, visit here.
Topsail Island Weather – When to Visit
Average temperatures for Topsail Island are in the 70s and 80s during the spring with less humidity then during the summer months. Spring is the perfect season for enjoying the best of Topsail Island, whether you choose to walk, run, pedal, or paddle your way around Topsail Island. Take advantage of the spring season lull where you have more of the island and its beaches to yourself and less crowds to contend with.
Best Topsail Island Beach Towns
North Topsail Beach
North Topsail beach is known for uncrowded and serene beaches and many say it’s the best place to look for shark teeth and sea glass along the sand. It is also the only place to drive a 4×4 vehicle on the beach.
.
.
Surf City
Surf City encompasses 5.3 square miles and has its own pier. That pier attracts a lot of visitors, especially those that love to fish! With white sandy beaches that beckon to sun worshipers and lovers of water sports.
.
.
Topsail Beach
In Topsail Beach enjoy sunbathing, swimming, surfing, fishing or whatever water sports you like to participate in. The beautiful sound front with access to the Intercoastal Waterway and nearby Lea Island is a great place to explore by boat.
.
Best Topsail Island Activities
Spend the Day at Topsail Beach
Lay down a beach towel and catch some rays on sandy Topsail Beach. Build a sandcastle or sunbathe and then cool off in the crystal blue ocean water. There are plenty of Topsail Beach activities to enjoy. In the evening, take a leisurely stroll along the shore and watch the beautiful sunset over the water. Visitors can have a relaxing day on the beach, whether they are there to sunbathe, surf or fish Topsail Beach is the perfect spot to have a fun and easy-going beach vacation.
Go fishing at Jolly Roger Fishing Pier
Topsail Beach is known for being a fishing town, and this is evident by the popular Jolly Roger Fishing Pier. Located close to Jolly Roger Inn, fishermen of all ages come to this pier for some quality onshore fishing. Right next to the pier is Jolly Roger Inn, which boasts beautiful ocean views, and is the perfect spot to stay if you’re planning on fishing or just exploring the area. If you don’t know what to do in Topsail Beach but you enjoy fishing, then head out to spend the day here!
Book an Excursion with Top Sail Island Tours
Those who want to fish offshore can always book an exciting fishing excursion with Fish Topsail. Half-day fishing trips start at $60.00 and all day trips start at $100.00. Not into fishing but still want to enjoy a boat tour? No problem – Fish Topsail offers evening cruises. Guests can bring their own drinks and food, then sit back for a relaxing cruise along Topsail’s pretty waters.
Learn about marine life at Ecological Marine Adventures
At Ecological Marine Adventures, children and adults can take advantage of some hands-on learning about marine life and their environment. Come take a one or three day class and learn everything from paddle boarding to crab hunting, to free weekly community classes. The free classes are perfect for visitors to Topsail Beach, as attendees are permitted to touch the various forms of marine life that inhabit the touch tanks.
Check out Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
For a friendly and fun family experience, visit the Sea Turtle Rescue Center. Young and old will enjoy seeing the turtle hospital. The place is wheelchair friendly and the guides are helpful and interesting. Check with them for release dates, as they do set the turtles free if they can. Tables are set out that explain the turtle mission.
Best Topsail Restaurants
Beach Bums Grill & Bar $11 – 30
A North Topsail Beach staple offering cold drinks, good food, and live music right along the beach. Telephone: 979-871-9145 Web: Beach Bums Bar & Grill
Seaview Pier Restaurant Under $10
Enjoy a fresh meal right on the pier! This friendly restaurant combines a picturesque view of the Atlantic Ocean with a nice little restaurant offering freshly prepared seafood and other delectable items. Telephone: 910-328-3172 Web: Seaview Pier Restaurant
Beach Shop & Grill $10 – 30
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this eclectic shop and restaurant uses the finest ingredients to create inspired takes on low-country inspired foods. They have an award winning wine list with more than 250 selections representing every major wine region in the world. Telephone: 910-328-6501 Web: Beach Shop & Grill
The Breezeway $11 – 30
This casual seafood family restaurant provides waterfront dining at its very best. Conveniently located 6.2 miles south of Surf City stoplight The Breezeway sits right at the waters edge. Telephone: 910-328-4302 Web: The Breezeway
Topsail Steamer $11 – 30
Topsail Steamer offers Seafood Steamer Pots prepared with fresh local seafood, meats, veggies and home-made spices to take home, steam, eat and enjoy. Telephone: 910-328-2645 Web: Topsail Steamer
Best Topsail Nightlife
Brass Pelican, Surf City
Known for its laid-back atmosphere and dive bar status, you can enjoy a cold drink, tasty bar food, live music, the outdoor area and a come-as-you-are atmosphere here. Telephone: 910-328-4373 Web: Brass Pelican
Hopsail Island, Surf City
This full service bottle shop and tap room serves up some of the best and most unique beer (and wine) on this island—and all with a smile coupled with friendly service. Check out their event schedule, too. Telephone: 910-803-2325 Web: Hopsail Island
Lor-re-lei’s Pub & Grill, Sneads Ferry
Go off island for this one and enjoy a full menu and some really cold beer. Lo-re-lei’s also offers live music, karaoke contests, dance parties, as well as pool and darts tournaments. Telephone: 910-327-0900 Web: Lor-re-lei’s Pub & Grill
Salty Turtle Beer Company, Surf City
Locals love the Salty Turtle and you will too. Enjoy this brewery and taproom complete with a beer garden. You can even bring your own food in with you. Telephone: 910-803-2019 Web: Salty Turtle Beer Company
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, Surf City
You can’t have romance without fresh local oysters—and they serve them up daily at Shuckin’ Shack. They also host “Sundays At The Shack” with live music on their pet-friendly patio every Sunday in June-August from 4-6pm. Telephone: 910-803-2037 Web: Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar
Best Topsail Hotels
Related Posts
Discover the Most Beautiful Gulfport Beaches of Mississippi’s Coast
The Most Beautiful Beaches of Hilton Head Island South Carolina
Discover the Most Beautiful Gulf Shores Beaches & Towns
Explore the Most Beautiful Del Norte County California
Explore the Most Beautiful Humboldt County Beaches
Discover the Most Beautiful Mendocino County Beaches
This sounds like such a relaxing beach getaway, especially with those quieter towns and long stretches of sand! I love that each area has a different vibe. Is Surf City the best place to stay for first-time visitors, or would you recommend one of the quieter areas instead?
Thank you! Surf City is definitely a great choice for first-time visitors since it’s centrally located and has the most options for dining, shopping, and activities. It makes getting around the island really easy, especially if you want a mix of beach time and things to do.
That said, if you’re looking for a quieter and more laid-back stay, North Topsail Beach or Topsail Beach are perfect. They offer more space, fewer crowds, and a slower pace while still being just a short drive from everything.
I actually visited Topsail Island a few summers ago, and this post brought back such good memories! North Topsail was my favorite—so quiet, and I really did find a few shark teeth along the shore. We also stopped at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center and loved the experience; it felt meaningful to support their work. Have you noticed if the island has gotten busier in recent years? And do you have a favorite spot to catch the sunset?
I love hearing that you’ve already experienced Topsail Island—North Topsail really does have that calm, uncrowded feel that’s getting harder to find along the North Carolina coast. The Sea Turtle Rescue Center is always a highlight, and it’s great that you were able to visit. The island has grown a little more popular, especially around Surf City, but the beaches still feel spacious compared to many others in the area. For sunsets, Serenity Point in Topsail Beach is still my top pick because the views over the sound are wide open and peaceful. If you ever head back, you’ll find plenty of new things to explore while keeping that same laid-back vibe Topsail is known for.
The fishing piers and boat tours sound interesting, and I didn’t realize Topsail Island had places for kayaking and exploring the sound as well as the ocean. I’m traveling with teens who like a mix of outdoor activities and places to grab casual food afterward. Would Surf City be the right spot, or is there another area that works better for active families?
Surf City is a great fit for active families because it offers easy access to paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and the pier, along with lots of casual restaurants and spots to grab food after a day on the water. Topsail Beach is another good option if your teens enjoy exploring the sound, boating toward Lea Island, or catching sunsets at Serenity Point. North Topsail Beach tends to be quieter, so it’s better for beachcombing and shark-tooth hunting. Topsail Island works well for families because everything is close together, so you can enjoy beaches, activities, and dining without long drives. If you share what activities your teens enjoy most, I can point you to the best beach areas and restaurants.
I’ve visited the Outer Banks before, but I’ve never made it to Topsail Island. The smaller towns and quieter beaches sound like a totally different experience compared to the busier tourism areas. The sea turtle rehabilitation center also sounds like something worth planning around. If someone only had a weekend, which town would be the easiest place to stay without doing a lot of driving?
Great question! If you want convenience for a short visit, Surf City is the best home base because it sits in the center of Topsail Island and gives easy access to both North Topsail Beach and Topsail Beach. It has the most dining options, shops, and community activities, plus it’s close to the Surf City Ocean Pier and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. North Topsail Beach is a good choice if you prefer quieter beaches and nature, while Topsail Beach is ideal for sunsets and relaxed coastal charm. If you tell me what time of year you’re planning to visit, I can suggest the best beach areas and activities for your trip.
Topsail Island sounds so peaceful! I love that it’s still got that small-town coastal charm but with so much to do — from sea turtle rescues to beachside dining. I’ve been torn between staying in Surf City or Topsail Beach. Which area would you recommend for someone who wants a relaxing trip but still a few restaurants and things to do nearby?
That’s such a great question! If you’re looking for a balance between peaceful and convenient, Surf City is your best bet. It’s right in the middle of the island, so you’ll have easy access to both ends, plus great restaurants, cute shops, and the pier. Topsail Beach is a bit quieter and more secluded — perfect if you really want to unplug. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either — both offer that laid-back, local vibe that makes Topsail so special.