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Topsail Island, known simply as Topsail among locals, is a 26-mile-long barrier island in North Carolina. The island is so large that it houses an abundance of businesses, award-winning seafood restaurants, incredible vacation rental homes, and entertainment options.
Topsail is a picture-perfect North Carolina beach destination with a laid-back atmosphere, plenty of fresh fish, and true southern hospitality. The island includes three towns — Surf City, Topsail Beach, and North Topsail Beach. The barrier island is an ideal place for a family vacation or a romantic getaway for a weekend, a week, or even longer.
There is no easy way to put all the things to do on Topsail Island on a single list. However, these are the top 12 things every visitor should experience before crossing the bridge from the island back to the mainland.
1. Fish From the Surf City Ocean Pier
Surf City is the central tourist town on Topsail Island. It is home to around 3,500 year-round residents, but that number balloons with tourists in the busy summer months. The Surf City Ocean Pier is the town’s most iconic landmark. Historically, this fishing pier is for avid fishing enthusiasts and is open for fishing 24 hours a day. It’s not uncommon to see entire families with coolers and supplies on the pier ready to fish from dusk until dawn.
However, you don’t have to be an experienced fisherman to cast a line over the edge. The on-site gift and tackle shop provide rods, reels, bait, and everything needed to enjoy a few hours or a whole day on the pier. The attendants in the shop help locate exactly what you need and provide information about current fishing conditions.
The pier has restrooms on-site, fish cleaning stations, and a grill and ice cream shop when hunger strikes. Visitors can locate the Surf City Ocean Pier at 112 South Shore Dr. in Surf City or call 910-328-3521 for more information.
2. Host a Topsail Steamer Seafood Boil
A staple of North Carolina cuisine and entertainment is the iconic seafood boil. Carolinians toss a variety of local seafood, veggies, meats, and seasonings into a pot, steam it, pour it onto a table, and devour it. Topsail Steamer is a local company offering ready-to-steam pots delivered straight to your vacation rental door.
This company makes experiencing a classic North Carolina seafood feast easy for even the most novice chefs to prepare. The result is a delicious meal and lifelong memories of your beach vacation in Topsail.
3. Explore the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
All sea turtles in U.S. waters are currently listed as endangered, apart from the loggerhead, which is currently listed as “threatened.” The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is an active hospital for sea turtles that is open to visitors. The organization rescues injured or sick sea turtles, nurses them back to health, and releases them back into the ocean.
The sea turtle hospital is open for public tours several days per week. The number of sea turtles at the facilities varies based on need, but paying a visit always offers an invaluable educational experience for adults and children.
4. Go Paddleboarding on the Intracoastal Waterway
Topsail Island offers countless opportunities to get outside and explore the area’s beautiful beaches and waterways. Paddleboarding and kayaking tours are available via several companies on the island, including Paddle NC, North Topsail Surf and Paddle, and several local surf shops located in Surf City and North Topsail Island.
Tours lead visitors through the tranquil waters surrounding the Permuda Island Nature Preserve amongst shorebirds and marine wildlife. Paddle Boarding instruction and sunset tours are other visitor favorites.
5. Learn About Operation Bumblebee and the Topsail Towers
Drive along the beachfront road on Topsail Island, and you’ll pass several former military towers. They date back to the late 1940s when Topsail Island was barren and served as a site for testing missiles as part of a program called “Operation Bumblebee.”
A military research team constructed several items in 1947, including a launchpad, rock assembly building, control tower, and eight towers to track and study rocket flights. The Navy later left for larger facilities, but the towers remain.
Many of the towers still stand and now serve as homes, community buildings, government buildings, or as parts of larger structures. Drive from Surf City south to Topsail Beach and see if your family can spot them all.
6. Play Putt-Putt Golf at Patio Playground
Patio Playground is a Topsail entertainment staple dating back to 1955. It is an all-original mini-golf course with several other entertainment options. Patio Playground features bike and surrey rentals, a family arcade, an ice cream shop, and special events from Wednesday through Saturday, including a DJ, dance parties, trivia, and more.
The Patio Playground is located at 807 S. Anderson Blvd., in Topsail Beach.
7. Attend the Missiles and More Museum
Visitors looking to dive deeper into Topsail Island history don’t want to miss the Missiles and More Museum. The museum is in the Historical Assembly Building, formerly part of the Operation Bumblebee program.
Seven exhibits provide information about the island’s natural history:
- Operation Bumblebee
- Osprey Aircraft
- Camp Davis
- Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)
- area pirates, and more.
Visit during your first days on Topsail Island, and you’ll find yourself uncovering iconic landmarks throughout your stay.
8. Stock Up on Souvenirs at Locally-Owned Shops
There are plenty of commercial tourist shops in this North Carolina beach town, but we suggest venturing away from WINGS and EAGLES to some locally-owned specialty shops.
The BumbleBee Market in Surf City NC offers an abundance of ocean-inspired gifts and clothing to take home as souvenirs or gifts for loved ones. The stock is always unique and always changing, so you’ll want to revisit this local favorite even if you’ve been in previous years.
Quarter Moon Books & Gifts is another locally-owned gem. The owner Lori Fisher is often on-site, serving coffee or greeting guests. The cold brew coffee and comfortable environment serve as a nice respite on hot, humid summer days in coastal North Carolina.
Other fun shops include Mia’s Marketplace, Topsail Island Trading Company, Southend Outfitters, and 50 South Surf Shop. These shops offer unique gifts, souvenirs, beach supplies, and more to complete the ultimate Topsail Island vacation.
9. Topsail Beach Skating Rink
Don’t forget to pack your roller skates because there’s a historic and fun roller skating rink on Topsail Island. The Topsail Beach Skating Rink is a classic Topsail activity dating back to 1969. The atmosphere is always family-friendly with music and games to keep everyone entertained.
The Topsail Beach Skating Rink is open every night of the week from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the entrance is just $8. Snacks, water, soda, and skate rentals are available on site.
10. Get on the Water in a Boat or Jet Ski
There’s arguably no better view of Topsail Island than the view from the water. Getting on the water is also one of the best ways to stay cool in hot summer weather. Surf City Jet Ski Rentals, Topsail Boat Rental, and Aquaholics Boat Rentals offer opportunities to rent boats or jet skis for days of sun and fun on the Atlantic Ocean or Intracoastal Waterway.
Owning a boat can be a hassle, especially if you don’t live near the ocean. A Topsail Island boat rental takes all the stress out of boating, so you can kick back and make lasting memories with your friends and family. Guided jet ski tours are also available for Surf City Jet Ski Rentals for those who want to see more of the picture-perfect coast of North Carolina.
11. Take Tuck’s Water Shuttle for a Ride
Visitors looking for a completely stress-free boating experience will love Tuck’s Water Shuttle. Captain Tate takes individuals, couples, and families on a boat ride to explore island history and view wildlife along the beach, sound, and inlet. Tate is an excellent entertainment equipped with a library of boat music and countless stories and tall tales. The sunset tour is an absolute must, and lucky guests may spot dolphins, sea turtles, and other unique marine life.
12. Learn to Surf in Surf City, North Carolina
Venture to the Surf City pier during your stay, and you’re bound to see surfers enjoying the latest swell. The Surf City Surf School, Topsail Surf Adventures, and Wave Catchers Surf Camp all offer surf lessons for beginner to advanced wave riders.
Visitors can join daily group lessons or private lessons for individuals or the whole family. Surf City Surf School and surf shops throughout town also offer a variety of surfboards for wave riders of all ages and skill levels.
More Ideas for Your Topsail Island Vacation
Topsail Island is 40 miles north of historic Wilmington, North Carolina, and its surrounding beaches. Visiting Wilmington is worth the day trip for anyone interested in historic cities and southern charm.
More family-friendly activities await in and around Wilmington, including the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, the downtown Wilmington Riverwalk, the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, and the famous WWII Battleship North Carolina, and more.
Another favored nearby coastal town is Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, just north of Topsail Island. This town is known for its seafood restaurants, the North Shore Golf Course, plenty of camping and vacation rentals, and the annual Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival. Many fishing charters also operate out of Sneads Ferry, offering plenty of opportunities to head onto the water with the experts and bring home some fresh catch for dinner.
When to Visit Topsail Island
Topsail Island is most popular in the summer months, from June to August when kids are out of school for the season. However, some of the best times to visit are in spring and early fall when the weather is warm and crowds are smaller. This time of year, known as the shoulder season, is when you’ll see locals taking advantage of the beach, waves, and fishing conditions.
Topsail offers a long stretch of sand and sea that doesn’t become as crowded as nearby beaches like Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington. It’s not common for a visitor to ever have to fight for a spot on the sand. However, restaurant and hotel reservations are often necessary during summer and spring break.
Before You Go: Topsail Beach Rules
It’s imperative to understand a few basic rules before you venture to the beaches of Topsail Island. Topsail is known as one of the most laid-back islands on the coast of North Carolina, but some rules have been set in place to help ensure safety and optimal fun for everyone.
The following are a few rules to read and understand before and throughout your visit:
- Firepits and bonfires are not allowed.
- Dunes are protected and are not for walking or exploring at any time.
- Do not disturb turtle nests.
- Camping is not permitted on the beach. However, campgrounds and RV parks are available nearby.
- Aluminum cans and plastic bottles are allowed on the beach, not glass.
- Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
- Driving is allowed on the beach but only for fishing. Speak with local authorities and obtain the proper permits before driving on the sand.
- Beer and wine are permitted for individuals of legal age; however, it is prohibited in some areas, including near the Surf City pier.
Find out more about the rules and regulations and an abundance of other travel information by visiting the Surf City Welcome Center upon arrival or contacting the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
