Historians of Topsail Island claim the island originally was a hideout for pirates who lay in wait with their ships in the channel behind the island so when cargo ships passed by, they would attack. Soon ship captains grew wise to this and began to look over the dunes for the tops of the pirates’ sails—hence the name Topsail Island. The island became famous for Operation Bumblebee as part of the space program for the United States Government. In 1963, the Town of Topsail Beach became incorporated. With only about 500 year-round residents, the town is mostly a tourist destination boasting no high rise development and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. 

Topsail Island is located to the north of Figure 8 Island and is only accessible by boat or by Highway 210 and 50 at Surf City. Hampstead is about 30 minutes away and Wilmington is almost an hour’s drive. To the North, Jacksonville is only 30 minutes away. The two places of entry to the island are in Surf City and North Topsail Beach.

Anderson, Topsail Dunes and Elizabeth Parsley are just a few of the many neighborhoods on the island. There is also an abundance of beachfront property to be had on this 26 miles long island.