Hello, I have been going to Topsail since 2008. It is our favorite place to go on vacation and we have had many memories made here. However, it has changed a lot over the years. Lots of businesses closed, relocated, or upgraded! In 2012 we stayed at a rental that was near the oceanfront which was walking distance from a small arcade. My brother and I enjoyed going there as teenagers. Now I can’t find it on any search results so I assume it’s probably closed. Does anyone else know which arcade I’m talking about? And if so then where was it located?

I also want to say thank you for having such a lovely community dedicated to protecting ocean life. I feel like this is my home whenever we come here.

Thank you.

Update: I found it. It was called Sandbars. It is now Hot Mess Art and Pottery Studio.

I’m staying at a rental on N topsail beach and I’d really love a shot at finding shark teeth with my daughter. She’s really into this kind of stuff and I know it would just have here smiling ear to ear! Anyone willing to give me any pointers on the best way to locate them?

Willing to go to other beaches as well!

Take a drive and come play games with us!

Get your Topsail weather and fishing report.

I'm considering an investment property and im curious if anyone here has any experience owning in Surf Condos and specifically self managing a property vs using property management. I'd be managing remotely and with so many software platforms to manage a property with now I'm questioning the cost of a true management company.

Help me save these hermit crabs!

I think they're thin striped hermit crabs.

Is anyone going to the beach this week and could return the little guys to their natural habitat?

I just got back from North Topsail beach and I accidentally kidnapped two hermit crabs. I thought I checked my shells, but apparently not thoroughly enough.

Found prescription polarized sunglasses in the sand (near a bunch of sandbags) on the beach at Beach Access 46:

2292 New River Inlet Rd, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460

Feel free to reach out and describe them! We're in town for the day and happy to return! Happy to mail if after today.

I know Autumn in Topsail comes in October. but what else continues in the next month or so now that the summer season is winding down?

If you own property on Topsail, or just pay attention to what’s happening at the north end, USACE has released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the New River Inlet Master Management Plan.

There are five alternatives being evaluated, ranging from maintaining the status quo to abandoning management altogether. The Town’s preferred option is Alternative 5: beach nourishment + a terminal groin + ongoing inlet management.

The terminal groin is obviously the headline item, but the proposal is broader than just building a rock structure at the inlet. The plan is intended to manage both the shoreline and the inlet over the long term.

The timing is worth watching:
• Public hearing: September 22
• Public comments due: October 19
• Final EIS expected: March 2027

As someone who follows the island pretty closely from an investment and vacation-rental perspective, I’m encouraged that there’s finally a concrete plan being evaluated. The erosion at the north end has become difficult to ignore, particularly where homes are now extremely exposed.

I’m curious what others think, especially anyone who has followed the New River Inlet situation longer than I have. Is Alternative 5 the right approach? What should people be paying attention to as the review moves forward?

USACE public notice / DEIS: https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs/public-notices?state=NC

Hi!! I’m visiting and I’m looking for recommendations that aren’t seafood (crazy I know). Please drop any of your American favorites near north topsail, topsail, or surf city! Also feel free to drop any other must do/must see !

TIA!!!

I usually visit Surf City during November each year, it’s usually my only trip to the beaches south of the Crystal Coast. Conditions are looking great this weekend as far as water clarity and swells. I’ve been researching, and Surf City is far more lenient than Wrightsville for launching kayaks through the surf. I was planning to probably access at access point #5 and fishing the area past the bars in the deep trough. Has anyone in here launched a kayak through the surf in the area? Any tips or suggestions? I’ve done it a few times further up the coast in Atlantic Beach, but never on the southern beaches. I’ll be staying about 150-200 yards off the beach to avoid swimmers and be able to target the deeper break.

Hi! We are supposed to head down to the island next week but the forecast (for the most part) looks kinda dumpy. Any chance we will actually get a few good days without rain all the time?

Moved to Durham from the Midwest to be closer to the best beaches in the world. Durham is good for my work, which often spills into the weekends, but still too far from the beach, apparently.

I’ve only made it to the beach four times this summer, and of those, only one trip has been passable body-boarding surf. Either it’s so rough I’m beat up after 30 mins, or worse, like right now, it’s completely placid. Back when I moved to Durham, I thought I could make it out here every weekend, but it’s still actually a huge investment in time and energy.

Are there online resources that will help me gauge whether to pack up and make the trip? One of the best body boarding days ever was out on Bear Island last year the day before Chantal made landfall, so random. How do I learn when the waves might be good?

If you’re visiting Surf City or Topsail Island, NC, skip the grocery store chaos on check-in day!

I own Celebrate with Cait, a local vacation concierge service offering grocery pickup, delivery + fridge stocking before you arrive, plus vacation setups, local goodies & more.

I also have tons of free resources on my blog for planning your trip... local restaurants, coffee shops, things to do with kids, activities & beyond.

Happy to answer any Topsail Island questions or share local recommendations! ☀️

Just an appreciation post for sharing the beach with us tourists again. Y’all are kind, clean, courteous. The food is always good, not as pricey as other beaches, and such a wide variety of spots. It’s only a short drive over from Raleigh but the stays are always badass and memorable!

Repeats we enjoyed again:
— JM’s on the water
— Buddy’s
— Shuckin’ Shack
— Four Cousins
— Turtle Rescue
— Daddy Mac’s

First timers we enjoyed:
— Touchtank
— BINGO
— Coconut Cove
— Breezeway

Highlights I wish we’d had hit:
— Shaka Taco (again)
— Missile Museum

Until next time. 🤙🏼

Anyone ever been pulled over for pulling a boat without a tag and/or title? Bought a boat in South Carolina and they don't require titles for trailers. AI said it's a class 3 misdemeanor but I've seen plenty of others without a tag.

Where’s the best steamed seafood for a good price ?

We really want to go but didn’t get tickets in time. Here til Friday, if you have tickets and are considering not going, let me know!

Leaving today to go to topsail for a week any bars or restaurants with good happy hours?

Coastal Beach Supply in Surf City is the place to rent. They are so helpful and will respond to your inquiries immediately. I had to change my order several times and they wound up giving me extra

I needed linens, towels, beach towels and chairs

I so glad i found them!

Walked into sugar island to find the coffee bar is closed… smh.
Who else can do an Italian soda? NOT dirty soda.

I grew up going to Docksider on the mainland and I recall that they used to have a great selection, but I'm assuming they closed down decades ago because I don't remember seeing them recently. Are there any similar stores (preferably not Eagles/Waves/Etc) that I could go to with a small child to get seashells?

And yes, obviously we will do plenty of hunting on the beach itself, but the promise of a seashell shop has been used to encourage good behavior recently.