As 2025 comes to a close, we wanted to pause and look back — not with a full accounting of everything that happened around Topsail Island, but with a curated snapshot of the moments that stood out most.
This year-in-review was pulled together by the editorial team at Topsail Guide, drawing on reporting from trusted local media outlets and community coverage across the region. It’s not meant to be exhaustive. Instead, it highlights events that felt uniquely Topsail — the kind of stories residents talked about, shared, or will still remember a few summers from now.
Here’s what rose to the top.
A Rare Snowfall on the Sand
January delivered one of those “you had to see it” moments. A winter storm dropped several inches of snow across Topsail Island, turning beaches into postcard scenes and parking lots into sled runs. Snow on the coast isn’t unheard of — but it’s rare enough that many longtime residents admitted it had been years since they’d seen anything like it.
For a brief stretch, Topsail looked more like the Outer Banks in February than a coastal town in winter.
Sea Turtles, Dunes and Beach Renourishment
Beach and dune work continued to shape much of the year’s conversation, particularly in North Topsail Beach. Following beach nourishment and dune restoration efforts, the appearance of early sea turtle nests later in the spring became a hopeful sign — one locals noticed and appreciated.
It was a reminder that while beach projects can be disruptive in the short term, they play a long game tied directly to the health of the island’s ecosystems.
A Permanent Win at the Point
One of the most consequential stories of the year didn’t involve a storm or a vote, but a purchase. The southern tip of Topsail Island — long regarded as one of its most special and fragile areas — was officially protected through a conservation acquisition.
For Topsail Beach, this was a rare, once-in-a-generation outcome. The Point will remain undeveloped, preserving not just views and access, but habitat and shoreline character that define the island.
Parking, Access, and a Changing Visitor Experience
2025 also marked a shift in how some residents and visitors experience the beach day-to-day. Paid parking was introduced at select public accesses in Topsail Beach, prompting plenty of discussion — and a lot of opinions.
Whether viewed as a necessary management tool or an unwelcome change, it reflected a broader theme seen across the coast: balancing access, growth, and infrastructure in communities that continue to attract attention.
Saying Goodbye to Familiar Fixtures
Not all changes were policy-driven. The closure of the Topsail Beach post office marked the end of a quiet but deeply familiar chapter for many residents. For decades, it had been more than a place to pick up mail — it was a small but steady point of connection.
These are the kinds of changes that rarely make headlines statewide, but land heavily at the local level.
A Banner Year for Local Schools
Away from the shoreline, Topsail High School earned statewide recognition for athletic excellence, bringing pride well beyond campus. It was one of those bright-spot stories that cut across neighborhoods — proof that not every highlight comes from the beach.
Storms That Missed — and Still Mattered
Hurricane season stayed active offshore, and while Topsail avoided a direct hit in 2025, storms passing at a distance still shaped daily life. Temporary beach closures, dangerous surf, and erosion concerns served as reminders that even a “near miss” can leave its mark.
It was a quieter hurricane season locally than some years — and that, in itself, felt noteworthy.
Remembering a Local Conservation Icon
The year ended on a reflective note with the passing of Jean Beasley, founder of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. Her decades-long commitment to sea turtle conservation shaped not only local environmental efforts, but how Topsail is known far beyond the island.
Few individuals leave that kind of imprint.
Not the Whole Story — Just the Standouts
This list certainly doesn’t capture everything that mattered in 2025. It leaves out countless small wins, challenges, community events, business openings, and everyday moments that make Topsail what it is.
But taken together, these highlights tell a familiar local story: a year shaped by nature, growth, conservation, and community — sometimes all at once.
As always, we’re grateful to local journalists and outlets whose reporting helps preserve these moments. And we’re glad to help surface the ones that felt especially worth remembering as we head into a new year.
Here’s to 2026.
