About Topsail Island

A barrier island just off the coast of southeastern North Carolina, Topsail is 26 miles of white Carolina sand. Divided into three towns - Topsail Beach, Surf City and North Topsail Beach, the island enjoys a temperate climate. Surf City is the island's commercial hub, with several restaurants, a market, retail shops and galleries. Residents and visitors alike enjoy a quiet, laid back beach atmosphere without the glare of neon lights, high rise condominiums or hotels. All three towns are family and water oriented communities. Surf City has a centrally located park with a boardwalk and boat launch providing access to the Intracoastal Waterway, and there are many convenient access points for both ocean and sound enjoyment.

The island is home to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and the Missiles and More Museum. The sea turtle hospital is staffed entirely by volunteers, who have devoted themselves to the rehabilitation of these seriously ill or injured ocean creatures. Many of the volunteers also monitor the nests of the loggerhead turtles from when the eggs are laid just above the surf line until the tiny hatchlings make their way into the sea.

From the early explorers and Indians in the 1500's to the Civil War Era, and World War II to the present, The Missiles and More Museum in Topsail Beach is dedicated to preserving the history of the island. Operation Bumblebee, the program code name for the development of the ramjet engine and the precursor to space flight, took place in the 1940's on the island. Many of the missile tracking towers still remain.

Topsail Island's location 40 minutes north of the port city of Wilmington, N.C. and 40 minutes south of Jacksonville, N.C., with its easy access to the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, make it attractive for a day, a week or a lifetime of living.