Topsail Area
About the Greater Topsail Area
Local folklore claims the name, Topsail (pronounced Tops’l), originated during the 1700s when pirate ships roamed the coastal waters. Historians explain that marauding pirates hid their ships in the channel behind the island and waited for passing merchant ships loaded with goods. Eventually the merchants became aware of this infamous hiding place and began to watch for the tops of the pirates' sails peeking above the live oak trees — hence the name Topsail Island.
A single main road runs parallel to the ocean along the length of this narrow 26-mile-long barrier island. In a few instances on the wider parts of the island, you will find an additional smaller street or two running parallel to the ocean, but there is still only one traffic light on the entire island strand.The 3,500 year-round residents here enjoy a relatively quiet lifestyle on the beach, that is until summer rolls around and Topsail's summer population swells to 35,000.
The island is located in both Onslow and Pender counties approximately 45 minutes north of Wilmington. Two bridges allow access to the island — a swing bridge in Surf City and a high-rise bridge that connects Sneads Ferry to North Topsail Beach. There are three towns on the island: North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach. The two mainland towns of Sneads Ferry and Holly Ridge complete the section known as the Greater Topsail Area.
North Topsail Beach, the northernmost town, is a residential community with oceanfront resort condominium complexes and rental cottages. With only two restaurants and a pizza shop, North Topsail Beach's visitors depend on Sneads Ferry or Surf City for most of their shopping and entertainment. Surf City, located on both the island and mainland, is in the center of the island. It is the commercial hub with a number of restaurants and retail establishments. A variety of vacation rental homes, condominiums and motels are also found here, along with the most year-round residents. Topsail Beach, on the southern end of the island, is accessible only through Surf City. It is a quieter area with year-round homes, rental cottages, motels and condominiums complementing a small downtown shopping area.
On the mainland, Sneads Ferry and Holly Ridge offer more choices for entertainment, dining and shopping. Sneads Ferry is a small village where shrimping and fishing are a way of life. In recent years, however, the area has grown and is now developing into a community of upscale housing developments. Holly Ridge once had a large population during World War II when Camp Davis was established as an Army coastal artillery and anti-aircraft training base. The town is now a quiet place enjoyed by longtime residents who find pleasure in the friendly services of locally owned restaurants, retail stores and service businesses.
Topsail Island is a small place with a big history, from the early Native Americans and explorers in the 1500s to pirates, the Civil War Era, World War II and Operation Bumblebee. This history can be found in the Missiles and More Museum on Channel Boulevard in Topsail Beach (see our Attractions chapter).
Local residents are protective of their environment. This is particularly evident in the Topsail Turtle Project and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, both run solely by volunteers. Many of the volunteers locate and monitor loggerhead turtle nests until the young turtles are hatched and make their way to the sea, while others maintain the center and care for sick and injured sea turtles until they have been rehabilitated and returned to the ocean. Still others take responsibility for the Turtle Talks, where participants can learn about the turtles and how they can help protect them. A visit to the Turtle Hospital, as it is affectionately known, is a real highlight of a Topsail Island vacation (see our Attractions chapter for more about the Turtle Hospital). The greater Topsail Island area is a friendly place, offering a nice balance between residents and visitors.
