Topsail Island has five main communities – Surf City, Topsail Beach, North Topsail Beach, Sneads Ferry and Holly Ridge. It’s a narrow 26-mile long barrier island bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway, with easy access points from both I-40 and I-95 . Topsail Island is located five miles east of US Highway 17 via NC’s Route 210 and Route 50. Visitors can easily reach the island from access points along Interstate 40. Travel across a landmark swing bridge on NC Route 50 to Surf City or by NC Route 210 over a high-rise bridge near the northern end of the island.
Topsail Island, Surf City, and North Topsail Beach like to say they're “like most East Coast beaches were fifty years ago.” Definitely, it is hard to find a place with such diversity – uncrowded, white sandy beaches, recreation, fine dining and shopping, both beautiful sunrises and sunsets, all in an area with tons of history... including famous pirates, military, maritime and much more! Fishing is one of the most popular activities in this area--- whether it's from a charter boat, the pier, or right from the shoreline. Other relaxing activities such as strolling the endless miles of clean, quiet beaches: shell-collecting, bird watching, wave gazing, sunbathing, sculpting sandcastles, flying kites, reading, drawing, napping, pointing out the dolphins surfing at sunset, marvel at the panoramic views ( hopefully capturing the beauty on film), listening to the surf, or just relaxing in this undisturbed natural dreamland! Other more recreational excursions include scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, surfing, kayaking, parasailing, hiking, jogging on the beach, roller blading and tennis. Speaking of golf – six beautiful and challenging courses are found on Topsail Island, with hundreds of others in the near vicinity. Surf City is the largest of the island towns and is located in the center of Topsail Island. It offers a number of restaurants, shops and retail stores, nightclubs, and the island’s only traffic light! The possibilities are endless...the Greater Topsail Area is the place where special times become favored memories that will last for years to come.
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 What are the average temperatures?
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Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Avg. High |
56°F |
59°F |
67°F |
76°F |
81°F |
86°F |
89°F |
88°F |
84°F |
76°F |
68°F |
60°F |
Avg. Low |
31°F |
33°F |
40°F |
46°F |
55°F |
63°F |
68°F |
67°F |
61°F |
50°F |
42°F |
34°F |
Mean |
44°F |
47°F |
54°F |
62°F |
69°F |
75°F |
79°F |
78°F |
73°F |
63°F |
56°F |
47°F |
Avg. Precip. |
4.40 in |
4.10 in |
4.20 in |
3.30 in |
5.00 in |
5.30 in |
7.00 in |
7.10 in |
5.00 in |
3.40 in |
3.10 in |
3.70 in |
Avg. Water
Temp. |
45°F |
45°F |
49°F |
63°F |
66°F |
77°F |
79°F |
77°F |
77°F |
68°F |
60°F |
55°F |
* Average temperatures courtesy of www.weather.com |
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 What is the current weather?
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 What is the ocean like on Topsail?
Generally Topsail Island section of the Atlantic is calm with only moderately sized waves of 3 or 4 feet. We will have occasional storms that create large waves. Our beaches do not have lifeguards and children should never swim without adult supervision and adults should not swim alone.
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 What are the beaches like on Topsail Island?
Like most beaches in North Carolina we have beautiful sandy beaches. We do not have large boulders or cliffs like the coast of Maine. Our homes and condos are protected from storms by large mounds of sand and sea-oats called sand dunes. It is important to use the beach crossovers in order to protect the integrity of our dunes. The size of the beach will vary by location and most importantly the tides. For the most part, there is still room to lay out and walk down the beach even at high tide. Click here to find out when high or low tide will be during a particular day.
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 Are there restaurants on Topsail Island?
YES! We have some of the best seafood restaurants on the East Coast! Most of our restaurants are privately owned and offer laid back atmosphere and delicious offerings. Most of our restaurants are located in the Surf City section of our Island and the fishing village of Sneads Ferry (located behind North Topsail beach.) You'll find more info. on this website, under restaurants.
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 Are there grocery stores?
We do have a large Food Lion grocery store. Food Lion is located in the village of Sneads Ferry (just behind the Island). It is at the first intersection after leaving the Island by the North end High Rise Bridge. It is less than one mile from the Island. Vacationers often will stop to buy groceries before (it is on the way to Topsail Island).
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 What kind of things can you do on Topsail Island?
Topsail Island does not have the variety of activities you will find on beaches like Myrtle Beach. We are a much more laid back kind of place. But that does not mean that we have no activates.
1) Fishing: We are know as a fisherman's paradise. You can fish from the beach, fish from a pier, rent a private charter boat, or go deep sea fishing on of the the "head" boats.
2) Water Sports: You can rent a kayak from Herring Outdoor Sports. Herring's offers kayak classes and tours for both the ocean and the sound. There are several companies that offer jet ski, boat, surf boards, body boards, even parasailing!
3) Other Things: Great Golf!, mini golf, water slides, a miniature amusement park, Sea Turtle Hospital.
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 Where is Topsail Island?
Topsail Island is located in southeast N.C. We are only about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Raleigh and about 2 hours from Myrtle Beach, S.C. Topsail Island is located halfway between Wilmington and Jacksonville, NC. (about 25 miles from either city). |
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Surrounding areas:
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina (2.7 mi), Figure Eight Island, North Carolina (20.7 mi), Swansboro, North Carolina (25.1 mi), Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina (25.9 mi), Wilmington, North Carolina (31.8 mi), Emerald Isle, North Carolina (33.0 mi), Indian Beach, North Carolina (36.4 mi)
Some Fun Facts!
 As early as the 1700’s, the island was known as Topsail Island. The name "Topsail" (pronounced Topsul) is said to have originated during the days of piracy. Pirates hid their ships in the channels behind the dunes and waited for passing merchant ships, which they would pursue and attack. As the freighters became wise to the pirates’ ploy, they began watching for the tops of the pirates’ sails showing over the dunes - hence the name "Topsail Island".
 During the late 1940’s Topsail Island hosted a Navy missile development program, Operation Bumblebee, which was the precursor to the NASA program that is now found in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Assembly Building in Topsail Beach was where the experimental missiles were produced. The concrete towers you can see scattered about the island were observation towers for tracking the flight of the missiles.
More Specifically...
North Carolina’s untapped paradise...North Topsail Beach... on New River Inlet Road.
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