If you’ve stayed with us before, you already know the feeling — that first glimpse of the ocean from the balcony, the sound of waves replacing your alarm clock, the kids running barefoot to the beach before you’ve finished your coffee.
We’re reaching out because you’re part of the TopsailAway family, and we want you to be the first to know what’s happening on the island this summer.
A few highlights: we’ve officially launched our new website at TopsailAway.com (your new home for booking direct), the island has exciting new dining and entertainment, sea turtle nesting season is right around the corner, and summer availability is already filling up.
Let’s get you caught up.
Book Direct at TopsailAway.com — It’s Official
Big news first: TopsailAway.com is live. Our brand-new website is your home for booking oceanfront vacation rentals on Topsail Island — directly with us, the owners.
What does booking direct mean for you?
- No middleman fees — you’re not paying a third-party platform a service charge on top of your rental rate
- Best available rates — the price you see is the price the owners set, not inflated by a booking engine
- Personal service — when you have a question, you’re talking to Andy and Heather, not a call center
- The same oceanfront properties you know and love in Surf City and Topsail Beach
We currently have three properties available: The Seahorse (a third-floor beachfront condo in Surf City sleeping 8), The Dolphin (a first-floor oceanfront condo in Surf City sleeping 6), and The Salty Surfer (an oceanfront cottage in Topsail Beach sleeping 12, relaunching for Summer 2026).
Explore all three and check availability at TopsailAway.com.
What’s New on Topsail Island for 2026
New Dining & Entertainment
Topsail’s food scene keeps getting better, and this year has one standout addition that’s changing the game.
High Tides & Good Vibes is a massive 40,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment complex in Surf City. It features arcade games, axe-throwing, darts, bowling, and great food all under one roof. It’s the kind of place the whole family can spend a rainy afternoon (or a fun-filled evening), and it’s unlike anything Topsail has had before.
Beyond the new spot, the island classics are still going strong:
- Shaka Taco — Walk-up window tacos with the best shrimp tacos on the island. Grab a few and head to Soundside Park.
- The Bistro at Topsail — Award-winning fine dining with sweeping Intracoastal Waterway views. Made the Top 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America list. Reservations recommended at sunset.
- Daddy Mac’s Beach Grille — Oceanfront deck dining with fresh seafood and what many consider the best crab cakes on the island. First come, first served.
- Salty Turtle Beer Company — Local craft brews and a portion of proceeds support the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center. The perfect after-beach stop.
- Island Delights — A 50s-inspired diner and ice cream shop with 22 flavors. A Topsail tradition for over 20 years.
- Max’s Pizza — Homemade dough, a special blend of cheeses, and a family tradition since 1985. Every beach week needs at least one Max’s night.
Summer 2026 Events Calendar
One thing visitors love about Topsail is that there’s always something happening, especially in summer. Here are the events worth planning around:
Ocean Fest — May 2026
A full day of surf culture and coastal conservation in downtown Surf City. Live music, a vintage surf contest, a 5K beach run, and vendor booths. It’s walkable from most of our properties and captures the best of Topsail’s beach town energy.
Movies in the Park — Every Friday at Sundown
Free family-friendly movies at Soundside Park in Surf City (517 Roland Avenue). Bring your blanket, chairs, and snacks. Food vendors are on-site. This has become one of the most popular weekly traditions on the island.
Sounds of Summer Concert Series — Every Thursday at 7 PM
Free live music every Thursday night at Soundside Park. Different bands each week all summer long. Pair it with takeout from Shaka Taco or Coastal Wing & Spirits for the perfect Topsail evening.
Ocean City Jazz Festival — July 3–5, 2026
A weekend of live jazz performances and vendor areas in the Ocean City community of North Topsail Beach. A standout cultural event that pairs perfectly with your Fourth of July week.
Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival — August 2026
Just a short drive from the island, this annual festival features live music, a classic car show, cornhole tournament, a parade, arts and crafts, and all the fresh shrimp you can eat. A longtime local favorite.
Guided Family Crabbing at Morris Landing
Hands-on crabbing adventures led by a local biologist. Perfect for families — no experience needed. Kids love it, and it’s one of those uniquely Topsail experiences you won’t find at every beach.
Historical Society Educational Programs
The Historical Society of Topsail Island, along with the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, runs a free summer educational series for families with school-age kids. Wednesday afternoons at the Assembly Building in Topsail Beach. Interactive, fun, and a $1 donation per child supports the society.
Sea Turtle Season on Topsail Island
One of the most special things about a Topsail Island vacation is sharing the beach with sea turtles. Nesting season runs from May 1 through October 31, and Topsail is one of the most northern loggerhead sea turtle nesting sites in the world.
Every year, mother loggerheads return to these beaches to lay their eggs. A single turtle can make three to five nests per season, each containing around 120 eggs. After about 60 days of incubation, the hatchlings emerge and make their way to the ocean. It’s one of nature’s most remarkable sights — and it happens right here, right outside your door.
The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
Located right here in Surf City, the Karen Beasley Center is the only sea turtle hospital in North Carolina. They rescue, rehabilitate, and release around 100 sea turtles each year and have cared for over 2,000 turtles since they opened their doors.
The center’s story is deeply personal. It began with Karen Beasley, a local woman who started protecting turtle nests as a teenager. After Karen passed away from leukemia in 1991 at age 29, her mother Jean used Karen’s life insurance money to build the rehabilitation center Karen had dreamed of. It opened in 1997 and moved to a larger facility in 2013. Today, it’s staffed primarily by volunteers and funded by donations and modest admission fees.
Tours are available but reservations are required — they sell out daily. General admission is $7 for adults, $6 for military and seniors, $5 for kids ages 3–12, and free for babies and toddlers. Visit seaturtlehospital.org to book your tour.
You can also attend free weekly Turtle Talks every Tuesday morning (9–10 AM) at North Topsail Beach Town Hall from June through August.
Important Reminders for Guests
- Never touch a sea turtle nest or hatchling — even if a baby appears to be in distress. This is a federal offense.
- Keep beaches clean, dark, and flat during nesting season. Turn off or shield balcony lights facing the ocean at night.
- If you see an injured turtle, call the Karen Beasley Center at (910) 329-0222.
- Support local turtle conservation by visiting Salty Turtle Beer Company — a portion of proceeds goes to the center.
Our Oceanfront Properties
The Seahorse — Third Floor Beachfront Condo, Surf City
2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | Sleeps 8 | Community Pool
The Seahorse is where sunrise watching becomes a daily ritual. This third-floor condo in the Surf Condos community offers sweeping views of the Atlantic, a fully equipped kitchen, a “Harry Potter bed” the kids love, and direct beach access just steps away. Past guests consistently praise the comfortable king bed, well-stocked kitchen, and Heather’s attention to detail.
The Dolphin — First Floor Oceanfront Condo, Surf City
1+ Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | Sleeps 6 | Community Pool
The Dolphin puts you right at ocean level with a ground-floor walkout to the beach. A Murphy bed and bunk beds maximize the space for families, and morning dolphin sightings from the balcony are practically guaranteed. First-floor convenience means no stairs with all your beach gear.
The Salty Surfer — Oceanfront Cottage, Topsail Beach
4 Bedrooms | 2 Full + 2 Half Baths | Sleeps 12 | Pet Friendly
Our largest property is relaunching for Summer 2026. The Salty Surfer is a traditional oceanfront cottage in Topsail Beach — perfect for larger families, multi-family trips, or anyone who wants more room to spread out. And yes, your four-legged family members are welcome too.
Summer 2026 Availability
Summer weeks on Topsail fill up fast, especially our oceanfront properties. As past guests, you get first dibs before we open remaining dates to the public.
Once these weeks are booked, they’re gone for the season. Book direct at TopsailAway.com or call us at (919) 817-5961.
Insider Tip: The Best Sunset on the Island
Everyone watches the sunrise from the ocean side — and it’s incredible. But here’s the local move: head to the soundside for sunset.
Soundside Park on Roland Avenue in Surf City has an unbeatable view of the Intracoastal Waterway as the sun goes down. Grab some tacos from Shaka Taco (it’s right there), find a bench, and watch the sky light up over the marsh. Pair it with a Thursday evening Sounds of Summer concert and you’ve got the perfect Topsail night.
These are the kinds of moments that keep families coming back year after year.
Your Island Is Calling
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, Topsail Island has a way of feeling like home the moment you cross the bridge. We’d love to welcome you back this summer.
Book direct at TopsailAway.com for the best rates and zero booking fees. Or call us at (919) 817-5961 — we’re always happy to help you plan your trip.
See you on the island.
— Andy & Heather