Surf City Beach
Surf City, NC
Surf City is the main commercial stretch of Topsail Island, busier and better stocked with restaurants and shops than Topsail Beach further south, but still nowhere near as built up as the bigger tourist towns on the mainland side. The fishing pier splits the town roughly in half, with a strict swimming and surfing buffer that keeps everyone clear of the pilings.
More restaurants and services than Topsail Beach down the road make it the practical choice for a longer stay, though the paid parking system takes some figuring out on a first visit.
How we score beachesSwimming and surfing are banned within 300 feet of the pier from mid-March through early December. Walk a couple blocks either direction and the restriction disappears along with most of the crowd.
Parking is managed by a contracted parking company with permits and metered spots at most public accesses. Check current signage or the town's parking page before pulling in.
Boardwalk crossings lead from most accesses over the dune to open sand.
Dogs are allowed on the beach on a leash no longer than 20 feet.
Water climbs into the upper 70s by August, during the same June through November hurricane season as the rest of Topsail Island. The pier buffer zone is only enforced mid-March through early December, so winter access right up to the pilings is fair game.
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