Topsail Island (pronounced TOP’-sul) is one of many in a chain of barrier islands along the North Carolina coast; it is located midway between the mainland cities of Jacksonville, NC to the north and Wilmington, NC to the south. The Island itself is situated in both Onslow and Pender counties and is home to the three seaside towns of North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach with each providing a unique ambiance all its own.
Offering 26-miles of expansive shoreline, pristine beaches and a quintessential beach vacation experience, Topsail Island has quickly become a popular vacation destination for couples, families, and beach lovers from all over the country — and the world. Both residents and visitors consider Topsail Island a “hidden treasure” for two reasons: One being that the beautiful serene beaches are uncrowded and surrounded by local mom and pop stores, which makes for a truly peaceful place to vacation or live. The second reason is the legend that the feared pirate, Blackbeard, hid his treasure on Topsail Island. To this day, treasure hunters search for the hidden gems and gold throughout the island’s beaches and maritime forests.
Topsail Island is said to have gotten its name from the popular belief that pirates used to hide in the channel between the island and the mainland waiting for merchant ships loaded with goods to pass. The pirates would attack the ships and claim the cargo as their own. Eventually, the merchants became aware of the hiding place and began looking for the topsail, which was supposedly the only part of the pirate ship that could be seen by the passing victim.
North Topsail Beach
North Topsail Beach is located on the north end of the island adjoined via high rise bridge to the town of Sneads Ferry. With a total of 10 squares miles of gorgeous barrier island beauty, it just makes sense that North Topsail Beach’s town motto is “Nature’s Tranquil Beauty”—which is exactly what you’ll find here. Located in Onslow County and conveniently situation between the bigger cities of neighboring Jacksonville, NC to the north and Wilmington, NC to the south, it’s the perfect location for being close enough to city life and its valuable amenities, but far enough away from the traffic, busyness and congestion of the urban lifestyle.
Situated comfortably between the Intracoastal Waterway and soundside waters on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, gives North Topsail Beach double the benefits when it comes to on-the-water activities and adventures. The calmer soundside waters are ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing while the more charismatic ocean side offers opportunities to surf, sail, and kiteboard the undulating and sometimes challenging waves of the Atlantic. North Topsail Beach is home to the Sea View Restaurant and Fishing Pier (one of the longest piers in North Carolina).
Known for uncrowded and serene beaches, North Topsail Beach has been named as one of the best budget-friendly beach towns in the USA, making it even more attractive because it’s affordable as well as beautiful.
Topsail Beach
Topsail Beach is located on the south end of the island. Topsail Beach is home to the Missiles and More Museum, which exhibits Operation Bumblebee when the U.S. Navy took over the island during World War II. Topsail Beach is known for it’s “retro, laid back” feel with mostly residential areas and quaint locally owned shops and restaurants in the center of town, such as the popular Topsail Beach Skating Rink attraction (which has been around since 1964). At the southern tip of the island is a quiet beach on the Intracoastal Waterway side of the island.
Surf City
Surf City is sandwiched between the other two towns and is home to the Surf City Ocean Pier where visitors can walk or fish on the 937 ft long pier. Surf City is a popular tourist attraction with shops and restaurants within walking distance of each other and is the home of the favorite tourist attraction, the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital. Surf City also features one of the island’s largest public parks, Soundside Park, where concerts, outdoor movies and other special events take place year round.
On the Mainland
Just off the island, you will find the neighboring towns of Sneads Ferry, Holly Ridge, and Hampstead, known as the “mainland” to locals. These towns, while not technically located on the actual island, are still considered to be part of the greater Topsail Island area.
Sneads Ferry
Sneads Ferry is known mainly for its vast commercial fishing and residential setting, but is also home to the famous Shrimp Festival. Sneads Ferry is located in Onslow County just off of North Topsail Beach, NC on the mainland side of the high rise bridge and just south of Jacksonville, NC. Mostly a quaint little fishing village, Sneads Ferry offers their guests and visitors a variety of waterway delights from Jet Ski and Charter Boat rentals to some of the best fresh local catch in restaurants or to take home.
Holly Ridge
Holly Ridge is located on the mainland side of Surf City, NC and is centered between the towns of Sneads Ferry and Hampstead. Many call Holly Ridge the “Gateway to Topsail Island Beaches” as you must cross through the town before reaching one of the two bridges onto the island. Holly Ridge offers an abundance of outdoor opportunities in their natural coastal areas and has strong military ties as it was once the home to historic Camp Davis.
Hampstead
Hampstead is located just south of Topsail Island on the mainland and a few miles north of Wilmington, NC. It is known as the “seafood capital of the Carolinas” and proudly hosts the famous annual NC Spot Festival. Hampstead is home to many great golf courses, such as Belvedere Country Club, Castle Bay Country Club, and Olde Point Country Club to name a few. Conveniently located around Highway 17, Hampstead provides it’s visitors easy accessibility to travel south to Wilmington, NC or north to Topsail Island or Jacksonville, NC within a matter of minutes.