Topsail Island, North Carolina, is not only a great place to relax at the beach but is also filled with mouth-watering seafood, warm people, beautiful scenery, and a rich history. The island is 26 miles long and consists of three communities, North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach.

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The locals here at Topsail believe their island to be named after the stories of pirates hiding out in the waterway between the mainland and the island as they waited for merchant ships to sail by the island. The pirates would wait and then attack the ships and steal the goods. The cargo ships began looking out for the top of the sails of the pirate ships along the backside of the island, hence the name Topsail Island.

Topsail is lined with beautiful beaches that bring in anywhere between 10,000-15,000 tourists a week during the summer months. However, the weather stays mild year round and allows for outdoor activities throughout the off-season. Although Topsail is a very popular vacation destination, it is still a well-kept secret for much of the East Coast.

Not only is Topsail home to warm weather and white sandy beaches, it is also home to sea turtles, making the island a sanctuary for these ancient species. During the breeding season from spring to late summer, hundreds of sea turtles lay their eggs on the warm sands of Topsail Island. It is not uncommon for visitors to see turtle nests up and down the beach. However, these are protected sights, so pay attention to all signs and barriers. Visitors can also watch once-injured sea turtles released back into the wild by the Topsail Island rescue association located at the south end of the island.