Topsail Beach reaches from Surf City’s town limits to the southernmost tip of the Island. Not only is it home to beautiful beaches, but it is also home to several restaurants, a general store, unique shops, and a fishing pier. Locally owned and operated motels offer views of the ocean or the sound. The serene beaches and small-town atmosphere offer a laid-back getaway. According to local legend, Topsail got its name centuries ago when pirates would hide their boats in the channel between the island and the mainland, and only the top of the boats’ sails were visible to ships approaching from the Atlantic. Rumor has it, Blackbeard’s treasure is still buried somewhere on the island. The town also has its own marina and boat ramp where visitors can participate in all sorts of water activities.
Topsail Beach is home to the famous Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center where staff and volunteers care for sick and injured sea turtles. Once the turtles are well, they are released back into the ocean.
