Few weeks ago I was down voted because I spoke my mind about filling up the garage cans at beach accesses. Well this is exactly what I was talking about…please keep in mind GFL does not have to clean this up! There is a dumpster at this particular access that was relatively empty!! Shame on whoever thought this was ok to do.
Don’t want to assume on cause - just glad everyone got out and no one else or properties were harmed.
We are staying at St Regis this week with littles. We were hoping we could find a spot on the beach somewhere to see the fireworks. We don’t mind walking but we are really hoping to avoid driving.
We are visiting Topsail for the first time next week. Is it worth the effort to pack our bikes? Thanks!
So this might be a reach. My family and friends have been going to topsail for 12+ years every year for a week for our big family vacation and we usually have 20-30 people between family and the family friends that consistently come. We’ve stayed in 10Bedroom, 11Bedroom, 12Bedroom houses every year and usually switch houses every few years, we went to a different beach the past few times and decided we want to go back to topsail / surf city but we cannot find many houses or even ones we’ve previously stayed in. Ideally looking for a 12bedroom house with 1-2 bunk bed rooms, beachfront and an elevator. I’ve searched high and low and can’t find hardly anything, we’ve stayed in big blue and azurelair but were pretty let down by azurelair’s management since some natural disasters occurred and they did the least to accommodate us (Obviously understand it’s a natural disaster and no one’s fault but they weren’t helpful in the slightest, won’t go into detail) so if anybody has any recommendations I’d appreciate it sooo much! Thank you!
It’s like clockwork. Stop swimming in New River Inlet.
Per SCPD
REMINDER: The Traffic Management Program begins tomorrow, June 27.
The Towns of Surf City and Topsail Beach are partnering to improve traffic flow, enhance public safety, and maintain emergency vehicle access during the busy summer season.
Traffic management personnel will be located at key intersections along NC 50 and NC 210 on weekends and holiday periods to help keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible.
If you're traveling this weekend, please drive safely, remain attentive, and follow directions from traffic management personnel.
For more information about the program, visit surfcitync.gov.
Hi. I tried searching this topic and didn't come up with much so I hope you don't mind me asking...July 4 weekend, what's the best way to get around between Topsail, Surf City & North Topsail? I would prefer to leave my car parked and not use it for the weekend.
I see golf cart (low speed vehicle) rentals are a thing, but with the 35MPH mandate, is there really any benefit to using a golf cart vs just taking my car?? Are there designated parking spots or something? I can't really see any benefit - would appreciate any insight.
As far as e-bikes...is there a bike lane all the way from Topsail to North Topsail?
I want to enjoy the weekend, but I don't want to get in anyone's way or be that guy. Thank you in advance for any advice.
Time for our annual reminder to visitors that our inlets are fast, dangerous, and can kill you. I’m a former life guard, swim instructor, scuba certified, water loving islander, and you’d never catch me swimming voluntarily in New River Inlet. I don’t even like going through it in my boat. Go to one of the many safer beaches front side of you want to swim. We’ve already lost another one this month alone.
We’re heading back to Topsail the week of July 1st! We’ve been visiting pretty regularly for the last decade or so, but we haven’t made it down since last July. Looking for anything new, newly popular, or just those “don’t leave without doing this” spots we may have missed. We’ll be staying on the north end with our adult daughter, grandmother, and our dog.
We’re always up for:
- good coffee spots
- thrift shops / vintage antique stores
- new restaurants
- fun attractions or local things to do
- family friendly bars
- easy day trips
Would love recommendations from locals or longtime visitors. Especially anything that’s opened up or become a favorite over the past year!
My family is coming to north topsail on July 4 and staying for the week. We are coming from the Charlotte area, never been to topsail. Is it going to be a disaster driving in on the 4th? How does that traffic tend to be? Trying to plan the drive and when to leave
If you own property on Topsail Island, this is worth knowing.
Governor Josh Stein signed Senate Bill 889 on June 19, creating a one-year moratorium on certain 2026 property reappraisals across North Carolina. Both Onslow County and Pender County are included.
For Topsail Island owners, that’s particularly relevant because the island spans two counties:
North Topsail Beach is in Onslow County
Surf City is split between Onslow and Pender counties
Topsail Beach is in Pender County
Many property owners across the island have recently received 2026 assessments showing substantial increases in value. In some cases, owners have reported jumps of 50% or more compared to their previous assessments.
So what does SB 889 do?
Counties affected by the law that had new reappraisals scheduled to take effect in 2026 must continue using their existing property values for the 2026–2027 tax year. The newly assessed values are delayed until 2027.
The legislation applies to the following counties:
Onslow
Pender
Guilford
Buncombe
Davidson
Bladen
Anson
Harnett
Scotland
Why was the law passed?
The legislation came after significant increases in property values were reported during recent reappraisal cycles across multiple counties. Lawmakers cited those large valuation increases as the reason for delaying implementation of the new assessments by one year.
The bottom line: if you own a home, rental property, or vacation home in North Topsail Beach, Surf City, or Topsail Beach, the 2026 reappraisal values are currently scheduled to be delayed until 2027 under SB 889.
Given how much coastal property values have climbed in recent years, this will likely be one of the more significant property tax updates for Topsail Island owners this year.