 Incorporated in 1963, the town is named for its location on Topsail Island . Located on Highway 50, Topsail Beach reaches from the Surf City town limits to the southernmost tip of the island. With a permanent population of 494, the town is located in Pender County and is governed by a council-manager form of government, consisting of a mayor and five commissioners.
Its business real estate district is home to an award-winning restaurant, the original “beach shop and grille,” a general store as well as unique retail shops and the Island 's only bookstore. Several locally owned and operated motels provide accommodations to include sound side and ocean side rooms.
In addition to its public access beach areas, the town features a bike path, a roller rink, miniature golf and an abundance of fishing, sailing, diving, surfing and other water related activities. In fact, known for its prime real estate to view spectacular sunsets over the sound, and incredible sunrises over the sea, the town's beaches are among the finest to discover a large variety of shells.
Topsail Beach is also home to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center , one of only a few in the nation. The center cares for and rehabilitates injured Loggerheads and other species, and then releases them back into their natural habitat. The hospital is a brief walk from The Assembly Building, which holds various activities throughout the year and houses the Missiles and More Museum . The museum, currently in the process of expanding, boasts a large seashell collection, World War II artifacts from Camp Davis , as well as displays dedicated to the local pirate lore, flora and fauna in the area, and to Operation Bumblebee.
The town, which celebrated its 40 th Anniversary in 2003, is host to Autumn with Topsail the third week in October.
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