Topsail Island, NC – A Local Artist’s Guide to the Best Beach in NC
Topsail, home sweet home!
Welcome to Topsail Island — one of my favorite places on the North Carolina coast! As a local artist who lives just across the bridge, I’m always inspired by the quiet beauty and small-town charm this island has to offer. With soft, sandy beaches and a friendly, laid-back vibe, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and soak it all in.
If you’re thinking about planning a trip, Topsail is the perfect spot for families, couples, or anyone craving a peaceful beach escape. I truly love it here, and I think you will too.
Here's why Topsail Island captivates my heart:
1. Uncrowded Beaches: While summer can bring a lively buzz to our shores, the tranquility of Topsail's beaches prevails from September through May. October is my favorite month for weather, balancing cool evenings with daytime sunshine that warms up enough for swimming and getting your toes wet. October's skies gift us with the most stunning sunrises and sunsets. Also, during the off season beach rentals become more affordable than during the peak summer months. Topsail also has dog friendly beaches, as well as free parking areas. Onslow County Parking lot #4 is my favorite free parking area with restrooms and easy access to the beach when you have your dogs with you. The address is: 484 New River Inlet Rd, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
2. Crystal Clear Waters: The clear, emerald-green waters of Topsail are perfect for swimming, shark teeth hunting, and discovering marine life. We’ve seen dolphins, stingrays, sea turtles, and sharks!! While jellyfish sightings, such as the Portuguese Man-o-War, call for caution, our personal experience has been sting-free for over five years. I would recommend staying out of the water at dusk and dawn. This is when the sharks feed! (I have seen them in the shallows myself!)
3. Local Seafood Delights: Living here means indulging in the freshest seafood. Local fishermen bring in the daily catch, offering an array of delicious options at Topsail's seafood markets. We have the best shrimp and oysters around! 🍤🦐🦪 We love to buy our fresh seafood at Midgett & Son’s Crab Company located at 2427 NC-172, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460. They have local baked goods and fresh eggs as well. Yummy!
4. Laid-Back Atmosphere: Topsail's laid-back charm and friendly community make it an ideal destination for a relaxing getaway. We have found the community here to be very welcoming and friendly. I think this was the main reason we decided to make it our home. I love that Topsail is a tight community with people that do live here year round. There are many beach rentals, but most of the businesses and restaurants remain open even in the off season, which is different than other Carolina beach areas. It also has less of an issue with crime. I have never had my sandals stolen, or my beach items rifled through when I’ve gone on long beach walks. I know I am taking a risk, but it is just that kind of place!
5. Artistic Inspirations: As an artist, I find endless inspiration in Topsail's landscapes. The play of light on the ocean, the vibrant sunsets – it's a canvas of nature waiting to be explored. My eyes and heart are always filled with inspiration!
I love painting sunrises inspired by my mornings spent at my favorite beach house on N Topsail Beach.
My Top Restaurants:
1. Splash By the Sea, great for gluten free options! I love their GF Bang Bang Shrimp, Bacon and Cheese Waffle Fries, and GF Key Lime Pie. They have an outdoor patio overlooking the pool and ocean. It’s a great place to have lunch on a warmer day! The address is: 790 New River Inlet Rd, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460, there is usually plenty of free parking across the street. They have fully glutenous options as well. I just love the GF shrimp personally (extra bang bang sauce on the side!)
2. Sears Landing Grill & Boat Docks: best Fried Green Tomato BLT I’ve ever had! They have great service, excellent sweet tea, and an outdoor seating area that overlooks the Intracoastal marsh. I have heard there are alligators around, so far I haven’t spotted any. The address is: 806 Roland Ave, Surf City, NC 28445, there is a decent sized free parking lot out front.
3. The Beach Shop and Grill: This is an excellent choice for a gourmet dinner. The chef creates seasonal specials that are always changing. If you like crème brûlée, definitely a must try! Always a bit on the busy side during peak season, so expect to wait for a table or be smart and make a reservation. Located at: 701 S Anderson Blvd, Topsail Beach, NC 28445, there are a few parking spots right off Anderson and a side road.
4. Shaka Taco: I love the fish bowl with the coconut rice. We always get the all you can eat chips and salsa. 😄 You can take it to go and walk or drive to your favorite beach to eat your food overlooking the ocean. The address is: 107 B, N Shore Dr, Surf City, NC 28445, the parking lot can be tricky during busy times but you can usually find a free spot.
Top 5 Things to Do Nearby:
1. Explore the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center: Topsail Island is renowned as a sanctuary for endangered sea turtles. A tour at this center is not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable. You can even adopt a turtle and browse the turtle-themed gift shop. Don't forget to greet Snooki for me during your visit! In the summer, volunteers patrol the beaches for turtle nests, marking them for protection. Nest hatchings typically occur in late summer, with August being a prime month. If you're staying in a beach rental, watch for volunteers near nests in the evenings—it usually indicates they will be hatching soon. Witnessing these tiny hatchlings' journey to the sea is a truly magical experience. We have sat for hours waiting, for me it was well worth the wait. Seeing the babies hatch and make their way to the ocean is one of the best things I have experienced on the planet.
2. If you’re visiting Topsail Island and have time for a day trip, Wilmington is only a short drive away and has plenty to explore. Wander the historic downtown and Riverwalk, grab lunch along the Cape Fear River, and explore the many unique shops and restaurants. Art lovers can also make a little gallery-hopping part of the trip. My original palette-knife oil paintings and coastal landscapes can be found in Wilmington at Eclipse Artisan Boutique and The Bryand Gallery. As a coastal North Carolina artist, much of my work is inspired by the light, water, beaches and marshes surrounding Topsail Island, Wilmington and the Carolina coast. You can learn more about my artwork here or stop into one of my Wilmington galleries to see available paintings in person.
I love dropping off my work at Eclipse Artisan Boutique in Wilmington. They always have so many unique one of a kind items. Next door is Blue Moon Gift Shop and both are award winning favorites for our area!
3. Book a Boat Excursion to Lea Island: At the southernmost tip of Topsail, Lea Island is accessible only by boat. Rent a boat or hire the local boat taxi for a day of shelling and shark tooth hunting. Our pontoon rental trip to the island was filled with excitement and unique shell discoveries, with few others around. I can’t wait to go again and look for a Megalodon tooth! We rented from Aquaholics in Surf City located at 412 Roland Ave, Surf City, NC 28445.
4. Paddle Through the Intracoastal Waterway: The Intracoastal Waterway offers a myriad of spots to explore by kayak, providing both a fun adventure and a great workout. Launching from Morris Landing, we paddled to several small islands, taking in the sights of fishing ospreys and scurrying marsh crabs. While I didn’t personally encounter any alligators, it's wise to remember they inhabit these waters, so stay alert. 🐊 My father lives nearby and has proof they live here! The boat launch at Morris Landing is open to the public, has a nice fishing dock and short marsh walking trail. The address is: 899-837, State Rd 1538, Holly Ridge, NC 28445
5. Enjoy a Breathtaking Sunset Cruise: Departing from Snead’s Ferry, our sunset cruise aboard a pontoon was nothing short of dreamy. Our captain, James, tailored the trip to our interests, which led us to a charming island for more shelling and shark tooth searching. Guests are welcome to bring wine and snacks aboard, making it a wonderful experience as you watch the sunset over the water. Although we missed seeing dolphins, the cruise provided endless inspiration for my paintings and I would highly recommend it for anyone visiting Topsail. We used Topsail Intracoastal Adventures located at 104 James St, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460.
Spectacular views on our sunset pontoon cruise!
For those seeking Topsail Island rentals, beachfront properties, or simply the best spots to soak in the coastal charm, our island is a haven of relaxation and natural beauty. Join us and see why Topsail Island is the perfect choice for your next beach vacation getaway. 🌊🏖️🐚 As far as renting a beach home, I don’t currently have a specific agency I feel that does any better than the next. What I tell my friends and family before renting a beach home is to read the reviews. Each beach rental has different cleaning companies that are subcontractors coming in to clean the homes. If cleanliness is high on your priorities look for recent reviews that mention cleanliness. Good communication with the agency is very important. I would ask for a local contact phone number ahead of the booking, so if any issues arise when checking in you have the name and number of someone to address your issues instead of having to call the call center.
Topsail is really for ocean enthusiasts who prefer the peaceful rhythms of a seaside haven over the bustling attractions of a resort town like Myrtle Beach. Topsail offers an oasis of calm where you can immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of the waves and the soft embrace of the sand under your feet.
As you explore the island's serene beauty, I invite you to explore my portfolio where I try to capture the light and atmosphere of our beautiful coast. I would be honored to have a piece find a home with you.
Click here to join my collectors list where I share the inspiration behind my artwork, and when you join you will receive an exclusive digital download wallpaper of one of my favorite pieces.
Staying on the water I love to watch the moonrise over the ocean. Topsail doesn’t have much light pollution so you can even see the Milky Way on clear nights!