Topsail Island, North Carolina

There is not a better way to escape reality than a good, relaxing vacation.  If you’re looking for this type of vacation, then the beaches of North Carolina have all that you will need to really enjoy yourself and a nice relaxing time.  One of my favorite places to visit is Topsail Island in North Carolina.  The island consists of Surf City, Topsail Beach, and North Topsail Beach.   The island itself is 26 miles long off of the North Carolina coast.  The island is really a great North Carolina secret, because it is truly amazing, yet never crowded.  You will not find a bustling town, yet a calm and serene, easy going beach town instead.  This is a great trip for families, and couples who like to just hang out.

There are not a ton of things and activities to do on the island.  There are a few restaurants, all of them very tasty, and there is a museum that reveals the history behind Topsail Beach.  Topsail Beach also boasts the Sea Turtle Hospital, where sea turtles are rescued and rehabbed.  The endangered loggerhead sea turtle uses Topsail Island as a nesting ground.  You can visit the hospital and see the turtles being help during the summer.   There are quaint shops where you can find rare and unique treasures too, and don’t forget the miniature golf for the little ones.

A big reason that we go to Topsail each year is because of the fishing.  There are three fishing piers on the entire island.  The Sea View Pier is in North Topsail Beach, The Surf City Pier, Surf City, and the Jolly Roger pier is in Topsail Beach.  The great thing about it being an island is you can also fish on the sound.  That’s right, you get the relaxing sounds of breaking waves on one side of the island, and just a few blocks over, you get the calm and beautiful waters of the sound.  To fish in the area, you will need to have a saltwater fishing license.

If you are looking for some local fare, then you do have some selection.  Daddy Mac’s in Surf City offers seafood specials.  There is a back deck where you can enjoy your food and watch the sunset over the ocean.  On the opposite side, the Intracoastal Waterway side that is, you can partake in some Beauchaines 211.  The grilled local yellow fin tuna is outstanding.  If you’re looking for fresh caught, and you aren’t afraid to get a little down and dirty, then head to the local fish market and get some crab legs, shrimp, potatoes, and corn.  Boil it all together in a big boil pot with plenty of old bay seasoning, and serve it all with a lot of butter.  That is some of the best North Carolina seafood eating you can find.

The thing that really keeps my husband coming back to Topsail Island, aside from the fishing, is that it truly gives us a break from the fast-paced world we live in, and allows us to be us.  Only we’re the chilled and laid-back version of us when we’re on Topsail.

 

One Response to “Topsail Island, North Carolina”

1. Monica Pereida says:

   September 25, 2011 at 8:10 pm

   Great post. The next time I need info I am coming here first.

   Reply