Topsail Island is unique in that it is a barrier island comprised of 26 miles with three townships. The townships are North Topsail Beach to the north, Surf City in the heart and Topsail Beach to the south. If traveling by boat, Surf City offers the Beach House marina which has the following eatries within walking distance: The Mainsail Restaurant, Indigo Marsh Restaurant, Max’s Pizza Hardees and Andys Cheesesteaks.

You can reach the island by two bridges. The swing bridge over Highway 50 is the main link to the island which has been in existence since the 1950s. You enter the Town of Surf City over this bridge into the business district. The second access onto the island is the high-rise bridge over Highway 50 which leads you into the Town of North Topsail Beach. On the mainland side of the high-rise bridge you will see the prestigious North Shore Country Club. Golf Digest has given this course a four-star rating.
The island is located between Wilmington, North Carolina, 30 miles to the south and Jacksonville, North Carolina, 30 miles to the south.

During the days of the Pirates roaming around the coast of North Carolina, it seems that Topsail Island was a favorite place for them to visit. If fact, the name “Topsail” was derived from merchant ships that would hide off the main waterway and look for the tops of the pirate’s sails to beware of them.

The overall, year-round population of Topsail Island is 5,000. However, when the sun comes out and mother nature brings warm air, the population increases to approximately 30,000. The island’s economic development is based largely on the tourist season. The islanders pride themselves on being a family-oriented beach and welcome the visitors during the vacation months