12 Best Things To Do On A Trip To Topsail Island, North Carolina

Topsail Island sits about 40 miles northeast of Wilmington. The 26-mile-long barrier island off the North Carolina coast is home to three charming seaside towns: North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. This destination is easily accessible by car, or you can fly to a nearby airport and take a shuttle. That's a fairly recent development, as the laidback island wasn't accessible except by boat until WWII.

Topsail makes an ideal summer getaway as it rarely gets crowded even during the peak season. Each of the three main towns provides a fun and laid-back beach vacation. With its maritime forests and natural landscape, water surrounds North Topsail Beach on three sides and offers dog-friendly shores. Surf City, located in the middle of the island, is the most commercial destination, offering many dining options, shopping, and community events. On the island's southernmost end, Topsail Beach is an old-school coastal town with untouched sands and unbeatable views.

According to local legend, Topsail got its name centuries ago when pirates hid their boats in the channel between the island and the mainland. Only the top of the boats' sails was visible to ships approaching from the Atlantic. Rumor has it that Blackbeard's treasure is still buried somewhere on the island. Though you aren't likely to find buried treasure, there are plenty of reasons to venture to Topsail Island, North Carolina, for your next vacation.

Family-Friendly Activities

Spend The Day At The Beach

If you're lucky enough to snag a beachfront rental, you'll likely spend a lot of time sunning, shelling, and building sand castles on the beach. If not, there are dozens of public access points along Topsail Island (most parking lots charge an hourly rate). The beaches here are known as a hot spot for shark teeth; visit during low tide to find them. North Topsail Beach has 4x4 access onto the beach off of River Road. An access pass must be purchased before entering. Other beaches allow beach driving at some locations for fishing purposes only; this requires a pass and may be seasonal.

Pack a picnic and spend an afternoon at Richard C. Peters Town Park in North Topsail Beach, 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.

Learn About Sea Turtle Conservation

Topsail is best known for its sea turtle preservation and conservation efforts. Throughout the 26 miles of coastline, loggerhead sea turtles come ashore to nest and lay eggs from April through September. While you're here, visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. Visitors can volunteer at the hospital, take a tour of the facility, and help with the rehabilitation efforts of the turtle patients.

seaturtlehospital.org, 302 Tortuga Lane, Surf City, NC 28445

Fish At The Pier

Cast a line off the Surf City Ocean Pier, another point of interest here. Rods and crab traps are available for rental. Check the pier's website to find out when kids can fish for free.

surfcityoceanpier.com, 112 South Shore Drive, Surf City, NC 28445

Catch A Ride On The Water Shuttle

Tuck's Water Shuttle makes regular trips to Lea Island, an undeveloped barrier island that serves as a sanctuary for wildlife and a prime nesting spot for sea birds. Book a sunset cruise for spectacular views on the water.

facebook.com, 636 Channel Blvd, Topsail Beach, Topsail Island, NC 28445

Take A SUP Science Class

The whole family can join in a unique two-hour marine science class on stand-up paddleboards through Ecological Marine Adventures. Classes generally take place from June to August, but check the group's website for scheduling. They also offer night-time ghost crab hunts and have a touch tank aquarium with horseshoe crabs, bamboo sharks, and other marine life.

ecologicalmarineadventures.com, 106 North Topsail Drive, Surf City, NC, 28445

Visit The WWII Museum

Plan to visit another popular attraction, the Missiles and More Museum, and learn about the island's history during WWII. The museum is in a historic building used by the government for a secret missile operation in the 1940s. Exhibits also cover pirates and the natural history of the area.

missilesandmoremuseum.org, 720 Channel Blvd., Topsail Beach, NC 28445

Play A Game Of Putt-Putt

No family beach trip is complete without a round of mini-golf. Topsail Island has two courses to choose from: the pirate-themed Shipwreck Point Miniature Golf and an old-school mini-golf course and arcade called Patio Playground.

facebook.com, 107 Charlie Medlin Drive, Surf City, NC 28445
facebook.com, 807 S Anderson Blvd., Topsail Beach, NC 28445

Experience Ocean Fest

Ocean Fest's big event is in the fall, with a two-day live music festival in Surf City that raises funds to benefit the ocean. The nonprofit also holds a retro surf competition with vintage boards during the festival and other events throughout the year, like a family-friendly fair and parade in May. All are designed to "Surf and Protect" Mother Ocean.

theoceanfest.org

Food And Drink

Enjoy The View

Topsail Island has plenty of options for fresh seafood and water views. Dine at the Beach Shop and Grill for classic Southern dishes that use sustainable and organic ingredients from local farms. The first-come, first-serve patio within sight of the beach welcomes dogs and features live music.

Splash By The Sea specializes in popular seafood favorites and pizzas in a relaxed setting (though swimsuits aren't allowed). Their patio also offers ocean views and live music.

beachshopandgrill.com, 701 S. Anderson Blvd., Topsail Beach, NC 28445
splashbythesea.com, 790 New River Inlet Road, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460

Wash Down Some Oysters

Satisfy your shellfish craving at the Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar in Surf City, and wash it down with a rum cocktail or craft beer on tap. In addition to steamers and shooters, they offer fried fish and sandwiches.

theshuckinshack.com, 13460 NC-50, Surf City, NC 28445

Graze On Surf And Turf

Named for the island's history of driving livestock across waterways at low tide, the Low Tide Steakhouse & Sandbar is known for its excellent surf and turf menu. Try the steaks, grilled fish, or burgers topped with bourbon-smoked bacon. They also have an extensive bourbon list and serve weekend brunch.

lowtidesteakhouse.com, 13741-E NC Highway 50, Surf City, NC 28445

Make Your Own Seafood Boil

For a low-key dinner back at the beach house, stop at Topsail Steamer and pick up all you need for your low-country boil. Their seafood steam pots feature shrimp, clams, crabs, oysters, and even lobster tails, depending on your family's preferences.

topsailsteamer.com, 302 S. Topsail Drive, Surf City, NC 28445

Where To Stay

Rent A Condo

You'll find no shortage of old-school hotels on Topsail Island, though many families that want to spread out opt for weeklong beach house rentals. For something in between, rent a two-bedroom condo in the Sea Coast Suites, which has nearby beach access and an ocean view.

ti-rentals.com, 305 N. Topsail Drive, Surf City, NC 28445

Stay In A Luxury Suite

The new Saltwater Suites in Surf City are a hybrid between a hotel and a condo building. The 24 tastefully decorated suites include a kitchenette and washer and dryer, as well as a balcony with ocean views. The hotel's second project, a resort with a pool and two-story event space, is projected to open in July 2024.

saltwatertopsail.com, 605 North Topsail Drive, Surf City, NC 28445

Spend The Night In A Classic Beach Hotel

Another favorite of visitors is the Island Inn in Surf City. It's located directly across from the beach, has a pool, and is within walking distance of the town's shops and restaurants. They even allow dogs (with a fee).

topsailislandinn.com, 202 Goldsboro Ave., Surf City, NC 28445