With 26 miles of beautiful beaches and exquisite shorelines, Topsail Island is a little bit off-the-beaten path and well worth exploring. From the oceanside to the soundside and everything in between, you'll find unending ways to get outside in the fresh sea-salt air and embark upon coastal adventures to help get you more acquainted with this hidden gem of an island on the coast of North Carolina.
Are you ready to explore the great outdoors? Here are our favorite ways to get out there and do just that. Try one or try them all! Each offers a unique perspective that gives you local insight into the natural beauty and maritime landscape of Topsail Island, North Carolina, that promises to keep you coming back for more.
Get out on the water.
Embrace your favorite on-the-water activity or try something new! There are plenty of exciting ways to explore our local waters. Paddle your way around on a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Take a surf lesson. Rent a jet ski or wave runner. Enjoy a sightseeing cruise around the island. Explore your Topsail Island aquatic adventure options here.
Hike a local trail.
In addition to hiking around Topsail Island itself with its beaches, marshes, inlets, estuaries and abundant natural areas, you are close and convenient to some off-island hiking trails that will allow you to explore the greater coastal Carolina region. Some will take you north of Topsail Island to the Jacksonville area and some south closer to Wilmington, but either direction offers excellent opportunities to see the sights. You can read more about hiking trails near Topsail Island here.
Take a bike ride.
Biking through North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach is the perfect way to see Topsail Island. Choose a different starting point each day and pedal your way through our towns and beaches. Topsail Island has a bike-friendly mentality and offers lower speed limits than on the mainland. A pedestrian and bike path runs from the North Topsail Beach Town Hall to the North Topsail Beach Park. Cyclists have access to restroom facilities along the beach when using local bikeways. Highway 210 offers a bike lane that connects Surf City and Topsail Beach making it easy for motorists and cyclists to share the road. If you're interested in renting a bike during your Topsail Island vacation, Herring's Outdoor Sports and 50 South Surf Shop are both centrally located in Surf City and offer bike rentals offering hourly, daily and weekly rates.
Go fishing.
Fishing on Topsail Island is another great way to get outside and see the island views. Stroll the shoreline during a surf fishing excursion, check out the views from one of our three local fishing piers, find a quiet spot on the sound, or head out on a charter fishing excursion. Fishing not only brings in a great catch but also some fine Topsail Island views. You can read more about Topsail Island fishing in our previous posts Everything You Need to Know About Fishing on Topsail and 3 Big Reasons to Fish in the Fall and Winter on Topsail.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore Topsail Island and enjoy the great outdoors. But to do that you have to be here! Start planning your next Topsail Island vacation now. Then start counting down the days until your next Topsail beach vacation.
