Overview
Topsail Beach covers the southern tip of Topsail Island and is the original small-town beach people imagine when they hear “Topsail.” Incorporated in 1963, the town caps building heights at 35 feet, bans high-rise hotels, and maintains a year-round population of about 500 that swells to more than 7,000 in summer.
History lovers flock to the concrete observation towers of Operation Bumblebee, a U.S. Navy guided-missile test program (1946–48) that paved the way for NASA rocketry. The former launch Assembly Building now houses the Missiles & More Museum, which also explores pirate lore and Women Airforce Service Pilots history.
Of the island’s three towns, Topsail Beach is the most nostalgic—think roller rink, single-screen theater nights, and shell-strewn stretches at Serenity Point where the sound meets the Atlantic.
Map
Fast Facts
| Population (2020): | 461 |
|---|---|
| ZIP Code: | 28445 |
| County: | Pender |
| Incorporated: | 1963 |
| Operation Bumblebee Launches: | More than 200 rockets fired (1946-48) |
| Longest-Running Festival: | Autumn With Topsail (since 1988) |
| Serenity Point: | Southernmost public beach access renowned for shelling and shark-tooth hunting |
Schools
- Surf City Elementary —
- Surf City Middle —
- Topsail High —
Things to Do
- Missiles & More Museum — Explore Operation Bumblebee artifacts and pirate lore.
- Pirate's Turf — Family-run since 1955, mini-golf and ice-cream stand.
- Serenity Point Sunset Walk — Two-mile sand spit with dolphins and herons at dusk.
- Jolly Roger Pier — Southern-most pier on Topsail Island, a hot spot for seasonal fishing of all varieties.
- Bumblebee Tower Photo Tour — Five WWII observation towers still stand along Channel Boulevard.
Public Services
Upcoming Events
- Autumn With Topsail (mid-October): Three-day arts, crafts, and live-music festival on the museum lawn.
- Light Up Topsail Holiday Lantern Walk (April): Dusk procession down Anderson Boulevard featuring handmade lanterns.