The Story Behind TopsailAway
Topsail Island has always been our happy place. It’s our favorite spot to slow down, reconnect, and make memories. So when we dreamed of owning a vacation property, it felt only right to put down roots here.
That dream became TopsailAway — a collection of homes shaped by love, lived-in experience, and a deep appreciation for this special stretch of coast.
The Seahorse
In January of 2020 we purchased The Seahorse. We couldn’t help it — we fell in love with the view! Weekends turned into a labor of love as we rolled up our sleeves for renovations and dreamed of what this condo could become. Then the world changed. When everything shut down, our plans shifted in an unexpected and unforgettable way — we moved in.
Eight of us lived, worked, and did school at The Seahorse by day, and renovated by night. We took the condo down to the studs and rebuilt it with intention, creating a vacation home designed for a large family: space to spread out, room to gather, a relaxed coastal feel paired with the comforts and touches of a luxury retreat. It became more than a project — it became home.
The Dolphin
Just months later, in November 2020, The Dolphin joined the TopsailAway family through what can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The purchase was sealed with a handshake — literally.
We had been guests of Larry, the previous owner, for several years and became friends while we were living in and renovating The Seahorse. When he casually mentioned he might sell, we said we’d be interested… and that was that.
Over the next few months, we made thoughtful upgrades and minor renovations, again with the same goal in mind: creating a space that feels like a true beach getaway — comfortable, well-appointed, and welcoming for both our family and our guests.
The Salty Surfer
While we love our condos, we longed for a place our growing family could all stay together. In July 2025, we purchased a classic oceanfront cottage in Topsail Beach, formerly known as Sail Inn. With four bedrooms, two baths, and unbeatable ocean views, we knew it had the potential to become something spectacular.
We had grand visions of transforming it into the ultimate family retreat. We reimagined every inch for fun, relaxation, and those “ahh” moments. Our black Lab inspired the name and logo, brought to life by our talented niece’s artistic flair. He’s our salty mascot, grinning from the signage as if to say, “Paws up, let’s make memories!”
Made With Love
Today, TopsailAway properties are the result of years of love, hard work, and lived-in experience. Each home has been thoughtfully designed to feel welcoming, comfortable, and a little special — because these aren’t just rentals to us. They’re places where memories are made, and we’re honored to share them with you.
We hope you’ll come stay awhile and make TopsailAway part of your own Topsail story. 🌊🐾
Browse Our Properties
Thoughtfully Equipped for
Your Perfect Getaway
Beyond the view, an experience your family will never forget.
Oceanfront Views
Wake up to stunning ocean views from your balcony—perfect for morning coffee and sunset watching.
Beach Access
Just steps to the sand via private boardwalks, with no parking hassles or lugging gear across town.
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Everything you need to cook together, from coffee makers and blenders to waffle makers and quality cookware.
Beach Gear Provided
Beach chairs, boogie boards, coolers, and sand toys are all included—pack light and play hard.
Free High-Speed WiFi
Stay connected with 50+ Mbps wireless internet, plus a desk and chair for remote work.
Pool Access
Cool off at the community outdoor pool (The Seahorse and The Dolphin Only) (April–October) with cabanas, ample seating, and childproof gates.
Smart TVs & Entertainment
Roku Smart TVs with streaming apps, Spectrum Cable, plus books, puzzles, and games for the whole family.
Keyless Entry
Secure, convenient keyless pin pad locks rotated with every guest—no lost keys or awkward check-ins.
The Voice of our clients
Top Notch View!
The view at The Dolphin is top notch. We enjoyed watching dolphins swim by every morning. Thank you for sharing your beach home with us. It had everything we needed and more. We can’t wait to return!
Updates Look Great!
The place looks great…really enjoyed the updates! Working with you has been a very positive experience! We are already looking forward to the next visit!!
So Many Memories
This unit was perfect and we can’t wait to return. This was the perfect last week of summer before school begins. Beautiful sunrises, seeing loggerhead turtles born and released, endless games of Uno, and a sandcastle building contest that ended up including everyone routinely setting up on the sand around us – so many memories and more! The best part: giant belly laughs and memories made with our kids…Having this family time is beyond priceless for us.
King Bed is SO Comfortable!
We’ve been staying here for a few years and love all the updates. The new décor is great and the King bed is SO comfortable! We did lots of relaxing, lots of beach time, lots of ocean time…can’t wait to return…!
Well Stocked Kitchen
GREAT week but too short as usual! Been visiting Topsail for 10+ years – love this week when the crowds go down. Lovely redo of the condo unit – appreciate the upgrades and well stocked kitchen! The new bridge is so fun to walk at sunset. The solace offered here is SO appreciated.
We LOVE Your Condo!
It is the perfect size, close to everything in Surf City, and right on the water! We had the best time and can’t wait to return! Thank you for being so easy to work with while renting!
By Far Our Favorite Place
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing condo with us. By far our favorite place we’ve stayed in our years of vacationing here. Thanks for all your help and willingness to answer questions.
Definitely Our Favorite!
Thank you so much for sharing your condo with us. We have been staying in other units here at The Surf and your unit is definitely our favorite – very tastefully decorated and well stocked. We loved being able to sit on the deck in the morning watching the sunrise and having coffee. Spent lots of time on the beach also. Can’t wait to come back!
Beautiful Condo
Thank you for sharing this beautiful condo! What a great way to ring in the new year! Our family spent hours on the beach and loved playing dominos at night. We can’t wait to come back!
Murphy Bed so Comfortable!
The Murphy Bed was my favorite, and so comfortable! The Dolphin provided total relaxation.
Back Again
Back again for another wonderful stay! We love staying at this location, in this condo, for so many reasons! We enjoyed our trip and stay, like we always do, and appreciate renting from you!
Another Magical Stay!
Back again for another magical stay at The Dolphin; more turtles released, sand castles built, and memories made. Thank you for allowing us to create so many wonderful family memories.
Enjoyed All the Extras
We enjoyed all the extras such as a washer and dryer, the Murphy bed, beautifully decorated spaces.
Found Largest Shark Tooth
Enjoyed looking for sharks’ teeth and found my largest one ever! We appreciate your hospitality!
Darling Bunk Beds
Our family of 5 loves the ocean front view, but the darling bunk beds are a HUGE plus!
Awesome
We had such a great time. The condo was clean, beautiful, and just the right size. The view of the ocean from the balcony was so relaxing. We were close to everything. We rode our bikes 90% of the time. The storage closet outside was able to house our 5 bikes. We definitely recommend staying here.
Amazing!
After a couple of years of not getting to travel our first trip back was amazing! Heather and family have done an amazing job and the renovated condo is wonderful. Sun, sand, waves, pool, thunderstorms, food – food – and more food, games in the condo, a trip to the arcade – it’s been a great trip!
The view doesn’t get much better!
Great shared space for friends getaway at the shore! Fantastic view and easy to access the beach from the condo. Must be able and willing to do stairs- living space was clean and inviting. Would definitely recommend and hope to return to The Seahorse for another stay! Big smile.
Updated, super clean and well equipped
My husband and I wanted a quick beach getaway. Love this island in October! The Seahorse was perfect for us and Heather was the best hostess. Beachwalked, biked and enjoyed the solitude. Best part of trip was watching the Loggerhead turtle hatchlings make their way out of the nest and down to the surf (with help from the Topsail Island Turtle Patrol). Would definitely rent the Seahorse again! Thanks Heather and Andy.
Beachfront beauty!
This was a fantastic property with ocean views, relaxing sound of waves, and steps to the beach. We loved the convenience of not having to find a place to park or pay to park (and lugging all our beachgear that we typically have!) The storage closet for all the toys was great! The place was immaculate. Would stay again when in the area. Thank you!!
Wonderful weekend getaway
We had a fantastic time here. The view was amazing, the unit was really nice and well equipped, and Heather was incredibly helpful and attentive. It was perfect for a three day getaway. Will definitely come back!
Amazing stay
Heather was very easy to communicate with and responded promptly to any questions. House was perfect for two adults and three teenagers and the ocean view was just what we needed! The weather couldn’t have cooperated more and being a few steps from the sand and surf was perfect. House was clean and as described.
Wonderful getaway
First time renting this property and it was wonderful! Great ocean view and condo had everything we needed! Would definitely stay again!
Great Beach Condo
Wow!! We loved staying at The Seahorse over the Christmas holiday. The ocean view was fantastic. Sitting on the covered deck or on the sofa or even while preparing food, watching the ocean was a joy. The condo was clean with a very well stocked kitchen. The beds were comfortable and the up to date decor was delightfully beachy. Heather was a great host. Our family of four adults without a doubt recommend The Seahorse.
Anything you could possibly need
My husband and I stayed at the condo for a week and thoroughly enjoyed our vacation. This is a wonderful, spacious property with amazing ocean views!! Perfect location for enjoying the beach. Coffee on the deck every morning was super relaxing. It has comfortable beds, kitchen is equipped with anything you could possibly need and the condo is in excellent condition. The hosts even provide beach chairs, boogie boards, and fun sand toys if you have children. The condo is spotlessly clean, newly renovated, and beautifully decorated. The host was easy to communicate with and was very responsive to our many questions.
A fantastic week!
We had the most relaxing family vacation. The everything you ever would need has been thought of especially for a family with little ones, darkening blinds and curtains, fans, beach toys, aloe plant for sunburns, and best of all a stocked kitchen for cooking. All that with an amazing view, comfortable beds…. Can’t say enough. Thanks for the fantastic week!
Heather is great to work with
Beachy decor, comfortable beds and furniture, very clean! Heather was great to work with, checking in and making sure we were happy…
Outstanding attention to detail
We have stayed at the Surf Condos for nearly a decade, this was our first time at the Seahorse and it was by far the BEST!!! Everything from cleanliness, to a well stocked kitchen to comfy beds and everything in between was just perfect. The attention to detail was outstanding, having extra hooks for wet bathing suits and a rope on the deck made such a difference! The communication from Heather was such a comfort, too.
Ocean views are excellent
Heather was an awesome host! So thoughtful and communicative. The property was just as pictured – beautifully decorated and very clean. The ocean views are excellent and the property overall is so conveniently located. The beach and the pool are both right there and it was a wonderful stay overall. We have stayed at surf condos a couple times in the past, but this has been the best stay so far.
The views are breathtaking
Heather is very detailed with her listing, the condo is beautiful and has all the extras you need for a great vacation! The views are breathtaking! We had helpful communication during the weather change with Tropical Storm Warning from Hurricane Ian. We appreciated the care she gave to keep us updated throughout the storm.
Exceeds all other properties by far
I have rented a number of units in this property and this, by far, exceeds all the other properties. It is an updated, clean, and well-designed property. I found the kitchen well-stocked, the amenities are superior, and the location is hard to beat. The owner communicated clearly and frequently ensuring we had an excellent stay. They have maximize the space to allow for a more comfortable stay for more people. The owners have taken great care to furnish the unit with higher end furniture including the beds. I highly recommend this location as it is one of the better properties I have stayed in at this location.
Loved this condo!
Great views from the family room and kitchen. Very clean and well appointed. Loved the decor and the space this condo offered. The upstairs loft was super cute with plenty of sleeping space for a couple and 2 kids or have All the kids upstairs (queen and a bunk bed set) Owner has thought of anything you may need and has made it easy to address any questions you may have. Will definitely stay here again!
Perfect Location
Right on beach and close to everything on (and off) Island. The Condo was clean, very tastefully decorated with beachy theme. Extremely comfortable with beautiful view of Ocean and beach. The balcony perfect to sit and relax after busy activities. Heather perfect communicator and always promptly available to answer all questions.
Mother’s Day Vacation
Location was awesome and communication was great! The place was decorated so cute and very up to date! It was a perfect getaway to take my mom for a mother’s day vacation! Will definitely be back!!