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If you are looking for a beautiful place for your next oceanfront vacation, you should consider heading to Topsail Island, North Carolina. This is one of the most beautiful places along the eastern seaboard, filled with vacation rentals that provide spectacular ocean views, easy beach access, and even the historic fishing pier with numerous activities to enjoy on your getaway.
The island itself is divided into 3 parts: North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. I’ll dive deep into why you should consider staying in each of these areas and will also share with you some nearby spots you might prefer.
There are plenty of family-friendly and pet-friendly locations throughout this stretch of sand, so without further ado, let’s dive into the best areas in and around Topsail Island and get you one step closer to booking your beach vacation.
Topsail Beach
If you are looking for a good place to start your trip, consider staying in Topsail Beach. This is at the southern end of the island, and it is home to a lot of historical activities. For example, you might want to swing by the Missiles and More Museum. This is a museum that has exhibits that go through Operation Bumblebee, which is when the United States Navy seized the island for military purposes and self-defense during the Second World War.
At the same time, this is not the only historical exhibit to check out. There are also lots of attractions that pay homage to Blackbeard as well. People called Topsail Island the hidden treasure of the coast. It is called that because there are a lot of people who have not yet discovered the beauty of the island, which means this is also a great way to get away from the crowds. The other reason is that there is a belief that Blackbeard hid his treasure on the island. If you have time while relaxing in your oceanfront condo, you might want to look for the treasure as well!
When you aren’t enjoying the sandy beaches or checking out the historical exhibits, you can explore this beach town a bit more and discover why it is so popular. You might want to go kayaking or canoeing on the Intracoastal Waterway for a relaxing journey. Or, you might want to get your groove on at the Topsail Beach Skating Rink, which has been open for almost 60 years.
This is a fun location with a lot of great activities for your vacation!
Surf City
If you want to stay in the heart of the action, then you should consider looking for a vacation rental in Surf City. This is the center of the island, and it is home to arguably the biggest attraction on the beachfront, the historic Surf City Ocean Pier.
This is a great location to come and watch old pros and fishing experts cast-off to try to catch a huge fish. They might even catch your dinner as well! If you want to go fishing, this is definitely the place to go. Even if you do not have a lot of experience, you might be able to get a lesson or two from the old hats that fish from the pier.
If you aren’t in the mood to fish, you definitely need to come and check out the pier anyway. It is more than 900 feet long, so there is always something else to check out. You might want to get a scoop of ice cream from one of the stands, or you might want to poke your head into the shops and restaurants on the pier.
Don’t forget that there is a lot to do in town as well. There are a lot of shops and restaurants in the downtown area to explore. You can get a bite to eat at one of the popular restaurants, or you can explore the other attractions as well.
For example, you will definitely want to explore the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. This sea turtle hospital is an amazing location where locals and visitors alike can learn more about the operations and rescues that take care of the sea turtle population. You might have to observe light regulations on the beach depending on the time of year you visit, as lights can be distracting for sea turtles who are trying to find the best spots to lay their eggs.
Finally, Surf City is also the home of the island’s biggest public parks. You should swing by and check out Southside Park, which is a popular location for outdoor movies, concerts, festivals, fairs, and more. There is always something happening in this giant park, so take a look at the calendar to see what types of events are taking place!
North Topsail Beach
You might want to consider staying in North Topsail Beach as well. This is home to some of the largest Topsail Beach hotels and resorts, so this is where people tend to gravitate if they are looking for a luxury vacation feel.
This is also the home of the Sea View Restaurant and Fishing Pier. The Seaview Pier is one of the longest on the island, and it will give you some amazing views of the surrounding area.
In addition, it is home to some of the most undisturbed, sandy beaches. If you are looking for a way to get away from the crowd, this could be the place to go. You will have plenty of room to spread out and relax. In addition, if you want to go looking for shark teeth, this is probably the best place to do so.
Wrightsville Beach
One of the most popular beaches in the greater Wilmington area is Wrightsville Beach. While it is a bit further away from the other areas on this list, it is still one of the top places to stay. It offers an unbelievable view of the surrounding area, plenty of amazing beach houses, and warm waters to swim in.
This is a popular location for families with children, and there are lots of locals who have had homes on this beach for generations. If you are looking for a beach vacation that has a bit of everything, consider staying in Wrightsville Beach.
Sneads Ferry
Sneads Ferry is just north of North Topsail Beach and just south of Jacksonville, NC. This is a place that is known for its massive commercial fishing operations, so if you want to learn more about how the fish that ends up on your dinner plate is caught, you might want to check out this town.
One of the biggest attractions is the shrimp festival. It takes place every year, and it is a great opportunity to try some shrimp recipes that you might never have tried before. There is always something a bit spicy, and you will get the opportunity to try some amazing sauces as well.
Sneads Ferry also offers a wide variety of aquatic sports and adventures as well. For example, you might want to rent a jet ski and go out on the water. Or, you might want to explore some of the charter boat rentals for a great fishing expedition. If you want to spend as much time as possible out on the water, consider exploring the opportunities around Sneads Ferry.
Holly Ridge
You might want to consider staying in Holly Ridge as well. If you plan on exploring natural opportunities outside of the ocean and internal waterways, Holly Ridge will give you plenty of opportunities to do so. People call this town the Gateway to Topsail Island Beaches, and it is still on the mainland just on the other side of Surf City. There are lots of outdoor opportunities, with the coastline and local parks, and there are some historical attractions as well. This town was once the home of Camp Davis, a former military installation.
Hampstead
On the complete, other side of the island is Hampstead, which is just south of Topsail Island itself and just north of Wilmington, NC. If you love good food, you will love your time in Hampstead. This is the seafood capital of the Carolinas, and you may want to visit during the NC Spot Festival. That way, you will truly learn why so many people rave about the seafood in this small town.
This is also a great place to stay if you love golf. Some of the golf courses in the local area include the Olde Point Country Club, the Castle Bay Country Club, and the Belvedere Country Club. There are plenty of other courses to explore as well!
A Vacation to Remember
Clearly, this is a location that has a lot to offer, so make sure you find the best location for your beach vacation! There are lots of options that offer fast check-in, free WiFi, and even a relaxing hot tub!
If you are looking for a vacation home that is within walking distance of the beach, be sure to browse RentByOwner to find the right oceanfront home for your vacation to the coast of North Carolina!
Featured Image Credit: MICHAEL HUBEL
