Topsail Beach

Topsail Beach Welcome Sign

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Topsail Beach (pronounced tops’l) is a small beach community located just off US Highway 17, about half-way between Wilmington and Jacksonville at the southern most end of Ashe Island (also called Topsail Island), North Carolina. There are two other beaches on Topsail Island: Surf City and North Topsail. The beaches here are some of the nicest in North Carolina. A wonderful place to go to get away from the traditional “commercial” beach and just enjoy the ocean. The water clarity is seldom seen on the east coast. There have been days we have been able to see our toes clearly in 6′ of water. The townspeople are nice and accommodating. Definitely one of our favorite beaches. If you are looking for a quiet day at the beach without the hustle and bustle of big city, Topsail Beach is the place to go.

Ashe Island is known for it’s affinity toward sea turtles and it’s “sea turtle sanctuary” legacy. Ashe Island is one of the northernmost nesting sites for loggerhead turtles and is home to the only sea turtle hospital in the state of North Carolina, Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Hospital, which is located here on Topsail Beach. The nesting season runs from mid-May through August. During this time, volunteers walk the 20+ miles of beach strand every morning looking for sea turtle tracks and nesting sites. It is estimated that only one in 1,000 baby turtles survive their first year of life and only one in 10,000 survive to adulthood. For these reasons, Ashe Island is one of the most visited sites among sea turtle enthusiasts.

Another interesting point about Ashe Island is that it was procured by the United States Navy during World War II for a joint venture with John Hopkins University known as Operation Bumblebee, the beginning of the space program for the United States Government. The island was used to manufacture and store rockets. Several concrete observation posts were built to monitor experimental launches, many of which are still in existence today.

  • General Information
    • Noise pollution is strictly enforced from the hours of 11:00pm until 7:00am.
    • It is unlawful to jump from the pier.
    • Any hole greater than 12 inches deep must be filled in prior to your departure from the beach.
    • Do not stand, walk, drive, dig, or otherwise get on the dunes. Doing so will result in a hefty fine. The dunes are the only protection the beach has.
    • Do not leave shade tents, chairs, or personal items on the beach overnight.
  • Special events. “Autumn with Topsail” is a festival that is held by the Town of Topsail the third weekend of October. Please visit www.autumnwithtopsail.com for more information.
  • Surfing
    • Surfing is not allowed within five hundred (500) feet of the pier.
    • Surfing is also prohibited in areas directly in front of ocean front motel property and within one hundred (100) feet of the side line of motel property
    • All surfers are required to use a leash.
    • Surfers are reminded to respect the “space” of other beach patrons. Reckless surfing that endangers another person is prohibited.
  • Alcohol. Consumption of alcohol on the beach is prohibited by town ordinance.
  • Fires and grilling. While open flames/fires are not allowed on the beach, cooking using a charcoal or gas grill is allowed. If you use a charcoal grill, make sure you bring something to put the burnt coals/ashes in, as leaving them on the beach is considered littering and you could be subject to fines.
  • Parking
    • Parking is free at Topsail Beach.
    • There is no parking allowed on sidewalks or bike paths.
    • Do not block driveways.
  • Camping. Camping is prohibited on the beach strip unless prior permission is obtained from the Mayor or Chief of Police. Violations will result in a fine.
  • Vehicles on the beach
    • Licensed 4-wheel drive vehicles are allowed on the beach on the very south end of the beach from 1 October until 31 March (or the weekend before Easter, whichever is earlier) for fishing only. A permit is required which can be purchased at Town Hall on normal business hours. Pricing is as follows:
      • Topsail property owners and residents: $25.00
      • All others: $50.00
      • Persons with handicapped placards or license plates: Free
    • ATVs and dune buggies are prohibited on the beach at all times.
  • Pets
    • Pets are allowed on the beach from 15 May to 30 September, but must be on a leash. All other times of year, pets may be unleashed, but must be under voice command of a responsible adult.
    • You must clean up after your pet and have the means to do so at all times anywhere in the town. Failure to do so will result in a fine. Dispose of waste in available trash cans. Animal waste needs four weeks to degrade, and if left on sidewalks and grass, it can get into the water supply.
    • Never leave your animal unattended in a vehicle. Even on just a warm day, your dog could die in a few minutes from heat stroke or exhaustion. The safest plan is to leave Fido at home. The town in summer is no place for a dog. Here’s a quick rule: if it’s too hot for you in bare feet, it’s too hot for your dog.
  • Bicycles
    • Every person riding a bicycle shall be subject to all of the laws of North Carolina applicable to vehicles.
    • Every person operating a bicycle shall ride as near to the right hand side of the roadway as practicable.
    • Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast.
    • Where bike paths are provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders must utilize it and thus, are prohibited from the roadway.
    • Riding a bicycle on the sidwalk is prohibited in business districts. While on other sidewalks, failure to yeild to the right of way of pedestrians will result in a fine.
    • North Carolina law requires every person under 16 years old to wear an approved bicycle helmet when operating a bicycle.
  • Fishing
    • Fishing is allowed in the surf. You will need a coastal or surf-fishing license, not an inland fishing license.
    • Licenses can be obtained at:
      • www.ncwildlife.org
      • Over the phone at the Wildlife Resources Commission (888) 248-6834, Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm
    • Fishing is also allowed from the pier without a license, but an additional fee is charged.
  • Weddings
    • Weddings are allowed on the beach.
    • If the wedding is held within own limits, no permit is required. However, it is a good idea to inform the Police Department several days before the event. Keep in mind, public access to the beach cannot and will not be restricted. Cars must be parked completely off the paved roads. Walking on or otherwise disturbing the dunes is prohibited.
    • A marriage license, issued by any county Register of Deeds office in North Carolina, is required.
  • Fireworks
    • It is unlawful to possess or ignite any firework that explodes or protrudes in the air within the State of North Carolina.
  • Lifeguards. Swim at your own risk. There are no lifeguards on Topsail beaches.
  • Handicap Access. Accesses 11, 15, and 18 are handicap accessible.
  • Public Restrooms. Public restrooms are available at accesses 9 and 16.
  • Emergencies
    • Police (910) 328-4851
    • Fire Department (910) 328-2980
    • Hospital New Hanover Regional Medical Center (910) 343-7000

As town laws and regulations often change, we are not responsible for any incorrect information contained within this review. The information listed was accurate at the time of publishing. If you find that information provided in this review is incorrect, please email the webmaster and let us know. To verify any information, the below listed links are provided. Thanks for visiting, and as always…happy beach day!!

View Map
Visitor Information
Surfing and Tide Information
Weather Information
Official City Website
Pender County Information
State of North Carolina Official Website
Laws and Ordinances

Beach accesses

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This page was last updated on September 27, 2009.