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Top 10 Things to Do on Topsail Island This Summer

May 21, 2026

Sunny beach day on Topsail Island with gentle waves and blue sky

Topsail Island is one of the North Carolina coast's best-kept secrets — a 26-mile barrier island with uncrowded beaches, excellent fishing, and a laid-back vibe that bigger beach towns lost years ago. Whether this is your first visit or your twentieth, there is always something new to discover. Here are our top ten picks for making the most of your Topsail Island summer.

1. Spend a Full Day on the Beach (the Right Way)

This sounds obvious, but a Topsail beach day is different from most. The beaches here are wide, clean, and never overcrowded — even in July. Set up a Shibumi shade for all-day sun protection, bring a cooler packed with drinks, and let the kids go wild with sand toys and boogie boards. The key to a great beach day? Arriving with the right gear and zero stress. That is where renting your equipment with free delivery makes all the difference — everything is waiting at your rental when you pull in.

2. Fish from the Surf City Pier

Surf City Pier stretches over 900 feet into the Atlantic and is one of the best fishing spots on the island. You can catch spot, flounder, bluefish, and red drum depending on the season. The pier rents rods and sells bait, so you do not need to bring anything. It is also a great spot for watching the sunrise or catching dolphins playing in the surf. If you want to try your luck from the beach itself, we rent fishing poles by the week.

3. Explore the Missiles and More Museum

Most people do not know that Topsail Island was once a top-secret military testing ground for ramjet missiles in the late 1940s. The Missiles and More Museum in Topsail Beach tells the island's fascinating Cold War history with original artifacts, photos, and rocket parts. It is free to visit (donations welcome) and makes a great rainy-day activity or afternoon break from the sun.

4. Kayak or Paddleboard the Sound Side

The Intracoastal Waterway on the sound side of Topsail Island is calm, warm, and perfect for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. You will spot herons, egrets, and the occasional sea turtle. Several local outfitters offer rentals and guided tours. The sound side is especially great for families with younger kids who are not ready for ocean waves.

5. Play Beach Games Until Sunset

There is something about the golden hour on Topsail that makes every beach game better. Spikeball, cornhole, Kan Jam, Giant Jenga, and ladder toss are all perfect for the beach. We rent all of these by the week — delivered to your door — so you can have tournament-level fun without packing a single game in the car.

6. Eat Fresh Seafood at a Local Spot

Topsail Island punches way above its weight when it comes to seafood. Local favorites include Daddy Mac's Beach Grille in Surf City for fish tacos and live music, The Beach Shop & Grill for their famous grouper sandwich, and Breezeway Restaurant in Topsail Beach for classic shrimp and grits. Most restaurants are casual — flip-flops and sandy feet welcome.

7. Hunt for Shells and Sea Glass

The beaches on the south end of Topsail Island near Topsail Beach are excellent for shelling, especially at low tide in the morning. Look for scotch bonnets (North Carolina's state shell), whelks, sand dollars, and the occasional piece of sea glass. Bring a mesh bag and make it a family competition. Kids love it and it is completely free.

8. Grill Out at Your Beach Rental

Nothing beats fresh seafood grilled on the deck of your beach house with the ocean breeze rolling in. We rent Weber charcoal grills, 4-burner gas grills, and Blackstone flat tops by the week — delivered right to your vacation rental. Pick up fresh shrimp or mahi from a local market and you have the best dinner on the island without a reservation.

9. Visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center

Topsail Island is one of the most important sea turtle nesting areas in North Carolina. The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital in Surf City rehabilitates injured and sick sea turtles and releases them back into the ocean. Tours are available during the summer and it is one of the most popular family-friendly attractions on the island. During nesting season (May through August), you might even spot nest markers along the beach.

10. Watch the Sunset from the Swing Bridge

The Surf City Swing Bridge is one of the last of its kind on the East Coast and has become an unofficial landmark of Topsail Island. Grab an ice cream from a nearby shop and walk or drive across at sunset — the views over the Intracoastal Waterway are unbeatable. If you time it right, you might see the bridge swing open to let a sailboat through.

Make Your Topsail Trip Effortless

The best part about Topsail Island? You do not need a packed itinerary to have an amazing vacation. Just show up, slow down, and enjoy the beach. And if you want to make it even easier, let Beach Bliss handle the gear. We deliver beach chairs, shades, games, coolers, and grills right to your door — free on Topsail Island. Book online and start your vacation the moment you arrive.