North Topsail Beach offers peace, natural beauty and easy access to busy areas
Topsail Island was named “Topsail” because the tops of sails were often visible when boats and pirate ships would sail into the bay. While the pirates are long gone, permanent residents and seasonal visitors continue to flock to North Topsail Beach's sandy shores. “The neat thing about North Topsail Beach is that it’s almost strictly residential, and you get a blend of tranquility and natural beauty,” says Matt Jones, primary broker at Streamline Realty Team with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. “There’s a slower pace and stunning views. It also has easy access to Sneads Ferry, which is booming with commercial properties. You can be in the peace and quiet of the beach or in the heart of Snead’s Ferry." Ocean City Beach is also a part of North Topsail Beach. In the late 1950s, it was a beach community where Black residents and visitors were welcomed. Most of the original homes were destroyed by a hurricane in 1954, but the sense of diversity and living among fellow beach lovers lives on throughout North Topsail Beach.
From simple condos to luxury, oceanfront estates
North Topsail Beach has everything from waterfront condos to luxury estates with private docks. “The entire island has always been investment and commercially driven,” Jones says. “People buy second homes and rent them out during the peak season and then come back in the fall, which is my favorite time. The water is still warm, and it’s quiet. We’ve been seeing a lot more permanent residents.” The median single-family price is around $412,000, on par with the national median of about $400,000. Condos can start around $175,000 and reach around $600,000 for units closer to the shore. Single-family homes and townhouses might sell for as low as $400,000, while grand homes like those in the Ashe Island Estates gated community have sold for almost $4 million. Homes throughout the area are raised, often with a garage on the ground level and the front door on the second.
Chance of hurricanes and flooding
Being on the coast means dealing with occasional hurricanes and intense rain. Residents purchase flood insurance and keep emergency kits ready in case of an evacuation. North Topsail Beach has a 30-year management plan to nourish the beach by bringing in sand to improve spots of erosion. Some areas of the beach are supported by sandbags that become visible at low tide. After a hurricane, residents are encouraged to stay off the beach until the town can assess any damage.
Driving to Sneads Ferry, Camp Lejeune or Wilmington
“We’re fairly centrally located between Wilmington and Camp Lejeune,” Jones says. “People get the benefits of being outside the hustle and bustle but with amenities nearby.” Residents can keep their cars parked in their garages and use their registered golf carts or walk along sidewalk-free streets to reach the shore. Drivers taking a quick trip into Sneads Ferry use the North Topsail Bridge along state Highway 210. Wilmington is a little over 40 miles south on U.S. Route 17, about an hour drive, while the Camp Lejeune Marine base is 12 miles north, for a 20-minute drive.
The CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Residents in the north part of the island might drive up to Coastal Carolina Care in Sneads Ferry for urgent care, but the nearest emergency room is Novant Health Scott’s Hill, almost 30 miles from North Topsail Beach.
North Topsail Beach restaurants with more in Surf City
Most restaurants in North Topsail Beach are on the first floor of condo resorts or hotels. “There’s Splash by the Sea,” Jones says. “That’s a nice place, and it’s in Villa Capriani. Ocean’s Edge is really cool. It’s on the top floor of St. Regis. You can go up there for dinner and see the moon rise or dolphins out in the ocean.” Splash by the Sea is open for lunch and dinner, and customers enjoy live music with their seafood on Tuesday and Saturday evenings. Coffee Joy, also in the St. Regis Resort, is the only coffee shop in the area. Andrews Produce opens its farmers market stand every spring, often stocked with preserves, fresh produce and ice cream. For a wider selection of groceries, residents visit the Food Lion in Sneads Ferry or the Surf City IGA. On the southern half of the island, Surf City has boutiques, gift shops and more restaurants.
Relaxing on the beach and watching for turtles
There are nearly 50 public beach access points, often with pay-to-park lots nearby. North Topsail Beach Town Park is right across the street from the shore, with tennis courts, a playground and piers stretching out into Alligator Bay. Golfers cross the bridge into Sneads Ferry to play a round at North Shore Golf Course, which is open to the public. Sea turtles are also seasonal residents of North Topsail Beach. Nesting season is from May through August, when turtles lay clutches of eggs in the sand. The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center welcomes volunteers who can walk the beach to spot nests and keep an eye on them in October, when turtles often hatch.
Living near the best elementary school in Onslow County
Niche gives the nearby Coastal Elementary School a B-plus and ranks it as the best public elementary school in Onslow County. Some students might attend Dixon Elementary School, which also earns a B-plus. The B-rated Dixon Middle School feeds into Dixon High School, which receives a B-minus.
Jazz artists and fans fill historic Ocean City Beach
The Ocean City Jazz Festival has been a July tradition for over 15 years. Jazz artists from across the country come together to celebrate Ocean City Beach’s heritage of creating space for culture and diversity. The Wade Chestnut Memorial Chapel was built in 1957. Today, the church opens during the summer season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and a different pastor holds service each week.
