Topsail Beach is the quiet, historic southern tip of Topsail Island — home to the sea turtle hospital, WWII rocket history, and the kind of small-town beach charm that keeps families coming back for generations.
Topsail Beach, North Carolina is the smallest and southernmost municipality on Topsail Island, incorporated in 1963 with an estimated population of just 517 residents. Located in Pender County (ZIP 28445), this quiet beach town is defined by its WWII heritage, conservation spirit, and unhurried pace of life. Topsail Beach is home to the Missiles and More Museum — built inside the original Operation Bumblebee Assembly Building where the U.S. Navy tested over 200 experimental rockets between 1946 and 1948 — and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue Center, the only sea turtle hospital in North Carolina.
Whether you're looking for a peaceful vacation rental, a fresh seafood dinner within walking distance, or a reliable contractor who understands barrier island construction — this page features the best locally-reviewed businesses serving Topsail Beach and the surrounding Topsail Island communities.
Video reviews of the best-rated local businesses in Topsail Beach, NC.
The best-rated businesses serving Topsail Beach and Topsail Island, organized by category.
Topsail Beach is primarily a vacation rental community. Most visitors stay in oceanfront or soundside beach cottages and rental homes managed by local property management companies. The town's small size means you're never more than a short walk from the beach, and many cottages have been in the same families for decades. A handful of small motels and inns provide alternatives for shorter stays.
Oceanfront & soundside weekly vacation rentals
Full-service rental management for homeowners
Small locally-owned accommodations
Vacation rental turnover & deep cleaning
The dining scene in Topsail Beach is small, cozy, and distinctly local. There are no chain restaurants here — just a handful of family-owned spots serving fresh seafood, burgers, ice cream, and casual beach fare. Most are walkable from rental properties along the main road. The intimate scale means you'll quickly find your favorite spot and the staff will remember your name by midweek.
Fresh-caught seafood in a laid-back beach setting
Homemade scoops & frozen treats for beach days
Burgers, sandwiches & family-friendly fare
Beach souvenirs, candy & quick bites
As the southernmost point on Topsail Island, Topsail Beach properties face direct exposure to storms, salt spray, and coastal erosion. Contractors serving this area need deep experience with elevated beach homes, piling foundations, hurricane-rated construction, and flood zone compliance. Most contractors are based in Surf City or Hampstead and serve the full island, but understanding the specific challenges of the southern tip is essential.
Storm repair, renovations & beach home construction
Panel upgrades, generators & coastal wiring
Emergency & scheduled plumbing services
Heating & cooling for salt-air environments
The Jolly Roger Pier is the centerpiece of recreation in Topsail Beach — an 854-foot ocean fishing pier where you can fish for spot, flounder, and red drum, or simply pay $2 to walk out and watch the sunset. The southern end of the island also offers quieter stretches of beach perfect for shell collecting, surf fishing, and family-friendly swimming away from the crowds.
Topsail Beach real estate is heavily weighted toward vacation properties and second homes. The town's small footprint and strict building regulations help preserve its low-key character. Local real estate agents specialize in beach cottage sales, investment rental properties, and navigating the unique insurance and flood zone requirements of barrier island ownership.
Topsail Beach is the southernmost town on Topsail Island. From Wilmington, take US-17 North to NC-210 East, cross the bridge onto the island, and head south approximately 4 miles. The drive takes about 40 minutes from Wilmington. From Surf City, simply follow the main island road south to its end. The nearest commercial airport is Wilmington International Airport (ILM).
Topsail Beach's history is inseparable from Operation Bumblebee, the U.S. Navy's top-secret guided missile testing program that used the island from 1946 to 1948. Over 200 experimental rockets were launched from what is now Topsail Beach, testing early supersonic ramjet technology. The original Assembly Building where rockets were prepared now houses the Missiles and More Museum, and several concrete observation towers used to track rocket flights still stand along the island. The town was incorporated in 1963 as the island transitioned from military use to a quiet beach community.
Topsail Beach has a small, charming dining scene with no chain restaurants. Popular spots include Beach Shop & Grill for casual beachside fare, Breezeway Restaurant for family-style seafood dinners, and several locally-owned ice cream and snack shops along the main road. The dining here is intimate and walkable — most visitors find a favorite spot and return nightly during their stay.
Top activities include fishing or watching the sunset from the 854-foot Jolly Roger Pier ($2 spectator access), visiting the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue Center (the only sea turtle hospital in NC with summer tours), exploring the Missiles and More Museum to learn about Operation Bumblebee's secret rocket program, skating at the Topsail Beach Skating Rink (open since 1964), shell collecting on the quieter southern beaches, and simply enjoying the unhurried atmosphere.
Operation Bumblebee was a top-secret U.S. Navy program that launched over 200 experimental guided missiles from Topsail Island between 1946 and 1948. The program tested early ramjet and supersonic missile technology. The original Assembly Building now serves as the Missiles and More Museum in Topsail Beach, housing photographs, artifacts, and exhibits from the program. Several concrete observation towers still stand along the island as visible reminders of this remarkable chapter in American military history.
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is located in Topsail Beach and is the only sea turtle hospital in North Carolina. During summer months (typically June through August), the facility offers public tours where you can see injured turtles being treated and learn about sea turtle conservation. Tours are extremely popular and often sell out, so check their schedule in advance and reserve spots early. The hospital runs on volunteer support and donations.
Topsail Beach is served by contractors based throughout the Topsail Island corridor, mostly from Surf City and Hampstead. Due to its location at the southern tip of a barrier island, contractors here need expertise in hurricane-rated construction, piling foundations, flood zone compliance, and salt air corrosion prevention. Common services include storm damage repair, vacation rental maintenance, deck and piling work, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. Most providers cover the entire island.
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