Things to Do in North Topsail Beach: Plan Your Visit

Know before you go

Rip currents: take five minutes before your trip to review rip current safety with everyone in your group. The Town of North Topsail Beach posts guidance on its website.
Protect the dunes: they guard the island in storms. No climbing, digging, or playing on them (fines up to $500).
Septic is delicate: nothing but toilet paper down the toilets, even “flushable” wipes cause backups.
Sea turtle season: nests appear June onward. Fill in holes, take gear off the beach at night, and keep lights low.

Packing list

Beach towels, chairs, umbrella, and toys
Sunscreen, shampoo, and bath soap
Toilet paper and paper towels (starter supply provided, not a week’s worth)
Groceries for the first day or two: stores are slammed on turnover weekends
Laundry supplies (every home has a washer and dryer)

Groceries

Lowes Foods in Hampstead is on the way in from I-40 (order ahead with Lowes Foods To Go). Closest to the homes: Food Lion across the high rise bridge. In Surf City: Food Lion, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Publix (delivers), and Harris Teeter with Express Lane pickup.

Our honest restaurant picks

Oceans Edge (top floor of St. Regis building 2): awesome view, great food, steps from the condos.
Sea Star Cabana (poolside at St. Regis): Vicki makes a great breakfast and lunch, open 9am to 3pm.
Riverview Cafe (Sneads Ferry): our favorite. Fried catfish, broiled scallops, down home setting. Save room for pie.
Beach Shop & Grill (Topsail Beach): quite possibly the best restaurant on the island. Reservations recommended.
Splash By The Sea (Villa Capriani): pretty setting, great specials. We got married on that deck.
Daddy Mac’s (Surf City): oceanfront deck, good seafood. Andy’s and Island Delights: 50s soda shops the kids love. Michaelangelo’s delivers NY style pizza to the door.

Sunday morning

Several welcoming churches meet minutes away in Surf City and Sneads Ferry, with styles from traditional to beach-casual (some even meet on the sand in summer). Ask us when you book and we will happily point you to a service that fits your family.

With the kids

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City is a can’t-miss (check seasonal hours). Add pier fishing at Surf City Pier, kayaking the sound side, the pirate playset and pickleball court at St. Regis, and a rainy-day trip to the NC Aquarium or historic Wilmington, under an hour away.

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Things to do in North Topsail Beach: everything we tell our own guests