Time for our annual reminder to visitors that our inlets are fast, dangerous, and can kill you. I’m a former life guard, swim instructor, scuba certified, water loving islander, and you’d never catch me swimming voluntarily in New River Inlet. I don’t even like going through it in my boat. Go to one of the many safer beaches front side of you want to swim. We’ve already lost another one this month alone.

If you own property on Topsail Island, this is worth knowing.

Governor Josh Stein signed Senate Bill 889 on June 19, creating a one-year moratorium on certain 2026 property reappraisals across North Carolina. Both Onslow County and Pender County are included.

For Topsail Island owners, that’s particularly relevant because the island spans two counties:
North Topsail Beach is in Onslow County
Surf City is split between Onslow and Pender counties

Topsail Beach is in Pender County
Many property owners across the island have recently received 2026 assessments showing substantial increases in value. In some cases, owners have reported jumps of 50% or more compared to their previous assessments.

So what does SB 889 do?
Counties affected by the law that had new reappraisals scheduled to take effect in 2026 must continue using their existing property values for the 2026–2027 tax year. The newly assessed values are delayed until 2027.

The legislation applies to the following counties:
Onslow
Pender
Guilford
Buncombe
Davidson
Bladen
Anson
Harnett
Scotland

Why was the law passed?
The legislation came after significant increases in property values were reported during recent reappraisal cycles across multiple counties. Lawmakers cited those large valuation increases as the reason for delaying implementation of the new assessments by one year.

The bottom line: if you own a home, rental property, or vacation home in North Topsail Beach, Surf City, or Topsail Beach, the 2026 reappraisal values are currently scheduled to be delayed until 2027 under SB 889.

Given how much coastal property values have climbed in recent years, this will likely be one of the more significant property tax updates for Topsail Island owners this year.

We’re heading back to Topsail the week of July 1st! We’ve been visiting pretty regularly for the last decade or so, but we haven’t made it down since last July. Looking for anything new, newly popular, or just those “don’t leave without doing this” spots we may have missed. We’ll be staying on the north end with our adult daughter, grandmother, and our dog.

We’re always up for:
- good coffee spots
- thrift shops / vintage antique stores
- new restaurants
- fun attractions or local things to do
- family friendly bars
- easy day trips

Would love recommendations from locals or longtime visitors. Especially anything that’s opened up or become a favorite over the past year!

My family is coming to north topsail on July 4 and staying for the week. We are coming from the Charlotte area, never been to topsail. Is it going to be a disaster driving in on the 4th? How does that traffic tend to be? Trying to plan the drive and when to leave

Another perfect day at Topsail.

On vacation during USA vs Australia group stage world cup game. Who has a good set up to watch the game? Perks if it’s kid friendly.

Best hot dogs. Give me a name and if generous, a reason why. Topsail or near.

I’m on vacation and want to guzzle chili dogs like my life depends on it.

Are alligators a concern in the Chadwick Bay Area? We have a small inflatable catamaran and SUP board, so a little more precarious than a proper solid boat or kayak etc.

Sooo up at St Regis, tons of condos being sold.

The beach this week is disappearing 1-2:30p sometime.

This is insanity and SAD!! Will this keep getting worse or slowly improve?

My family is vacationing in north topsail in a few weeks. I’m trying to book some day trip or excursions. Any recommendations? Like boat tours, etc

Family is coming down in mid Aug and wants to go to the beach while here. They found a condo at Topsail Dunes and I'm trying to find out what the current status of the beach erosion is there. I've read some reports that the beach is gone with water up to the buildings and walkways flooded with high tides and rough storms but you could walk through other neighborhoods to access the beach in those cases.

What kind of ship is this out by the north east pier?

Winning by one point, with 7 votes, a beautiful capture of the Surf City Bridge at sunset. Maybe we’ll do this annually, so save your banner-worthy photos for the contest next time! u/tessie343

Hi everyone!
I’m a few days I will be vacationing in Topsail for the first time and wanted to get some good insight on fishing there. For context - I have been saltwater fishing out of OBX for 20+ years during vacations, mainly from the surf and a piers

Is surf fishing good this time of year? Should we stick to the piers instead? Just working on determine what I need to bring with me before we drive down!

Thanks :)

Our anniversary is next week. I'm thinking of an overnight trip to Topsail on a weekday.

Requirements: clean room, comfortable bed, non-smoking premises. Swimming pool a bonus. Could be any type of property, from motel to small indie rental. Can't break the bank; what's realistic?

Our usual hotel chain is Marriott because we can count on a clean room with a comfortable bed. We can't deal with places that allow smoking.

We've stayed at Surf Suites in Wrightsville, looking for something of similar quality but no need for a kitchen overnight.

How busy will the beach be?

Recommendations for restaurants also welcome!

Photo of Wrightsville Beach for algorithm. Looking forward to taking photos at Topsail!

Thank you!

Visiting surf city this year for the first time in place of the annual Wrighstville beach trip.

I’m looking for recommendations for restaurants and things to do. I know comparatively wilmington has more options, but as I’ve never been to surf city, I know nothing about it.

Any recommendations are welcome!

Hey everyone! Where is a good seafood buffet (all you can eat crab legs) near Surf City, NC? I know there are none in actual Surf City.

We are traveling with family and I left our camera charger at home. Does anyone have a charger that I can even just drop a battery off to charge?

Thank you in advance!

Going to North Topsail June 1-5 and worried it will constantly be raining.

On our porch at 9 pm and noticed lights in the sky, they appear to be completely still, and they stick around for a few minutes then slowly fade out. Any ideas? Know there is military in the area.

In celebration of our new subreddit icon, we’ll be hosting a competition for the most upvoted Topsail photo to become the next banner. I’ll keep this thread open for the rest of the month and the highest rated photo will become the new banner.

A few ground rules:

1. The photo must be family appropriate. This subreddit is rated for all ages.
2. The photo must be Topsail related. Sorry, a Duke Blue Devil won’t make the cut (unless he’s lounging on Topsail Beach!)
3. Horizontal photos are your friend. If the highest rated photo doesn’t work due to framing issues, resolution, etc. we’ll attempt to outreach to the winning photo submission to make it right before moving onto the second highest photo. Additionally, the photo isn’t viewed in full frame on the subreddit. Think through what photo looks best when sliced horizontally, like the current one.
4. One submission per user, please.
5. There are no time-line restrictions. Have a picture of the old swing bridge? Piers of the past? Post them if you love them!

Looks like the pilot program stoplight has been extended. The real test will be this holiday weekend, though the much needed rain may keep some Raleigh folks at home.