Tuesday on Jasmine
- Jul 18, 2021
- 3 min read

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO (WITH KIDS) ON TOPSAIL ISLAND

Updated: Apr 6

Topsail beach is one of our most favorite places to take the family. We've visited quite a few times and gathered a list of our favorite activities! We promise you will love their secluded beaches and unique outings....

1. KAREN BEASLEY SEA TURTLE RESCUE & REHAB CENTER

A giant turtle being taken care of by a vet and a turtle swimming in water.

Take a tour of the sea turtle hospital and view the turtles currently being taken care of! You will learn their stories as well as the hospital's plan for all the turtles in their care! Depending on the season you are there, you might get lucky enough to see one of the turtles from the hospital released back into the ocean! At the end of the tour, you are able to visit their gift shop for any souvenirs or to adopt a turtle! This is a wonderful, engaging and educational experience for kids to learn about the turtles!

2. ECOLOGICAL MARINE ADVENTURES

Kids standing on stand up paddle boards on the grass learning from an instructor.

This small marine science center has so much to offer! A fabulous touch tank, SCUBA classes for kids, date night babysitting, free and paid summer classes, etc. Their goal is to teach our children to love and protect our oceans and everything in them! We guarantee this will be a hit with kids both big and little!

3. TOPSAIL SKATING RINK

A sign on a building for Topsail Beach Skating Rink.

Rainy day on vacay? Take it back to the good ol days and take the kiddos roller skating! This rink has been family owned for over 50 years and is full of old school charm!

4. HUNT FOR SHARK TEETH

Keep your head down and eyes open while taking a stroll down the beach, you are bound to find a shark tooth of your own. Our group found over 600 teeth while visiting for a week! These little treasures can cause so much excitement when found on your own! Best time to find them is after high tide. Be sure to follow Tom's Teeth on Facebook if you need any help identifying your finds! Be careful, this is addicting!

5. TOPSAIL SURF ADVENTURES

Offering surfing lessons, stand up paddle board excursions and kayak tours, this is great for a sunny day! Get the kids a surf lesson - either private or semi private or hop on a kayak tour to Lee-Hutaff Island, which is an uninhabited barrier island that is home to many protected species!

6. THE TURTLE FACTORY

This cute little shop offers turtle souvenirs as well as ceramic painting! Perfect for a dreary day on the Island! Find a shark tooth? Take it to the turtle factory and they can help you put it on your very own necklace!

7. SURF CITY FISHING PIER

A pier stretched into the ocean at sunset with waves rolling in.

Fun for all ages! Whether you are fishing or observing, the pier offers great entertainment! They have a full service bait and tackle shop if you are planning on trying your hand at fishing! If not, it offers great sunrises and some beautiful photo opps if you head underneath the pier!

8. SERENITY POINT

a whole island with a large white beach and blue green ocean water. o

This is the southern most tip of the island! It is where the ocean meets the Intracoastal Waterway. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SWIM HERE!!! The currents are VERY strong. Head down at dusk for the most beautiful sunsets! With small waves and sometimes almost clear water, it is worth every step of the walk and feels like a world of its own!

9. TOPSAIL INTERCOASTAL ADVENTURES

a school of dolphins swimming in the ocean and a large pontoon boat parked on a beach.

A family owned business offering pontoon boat rentals for up to six people! Offering sunset party cruises and shelling trips to Shell island, as well as fishing trips for the men - you will get to explore parts of the island that only those with boats get to view! Great for the whole family! We were luck enough to see some dolphins during our boat ride! Check out their Facebook page for more info.

10. SHOP FOR SOUVENIRS

A souvenir store filled with books, bags and isles of toys

It wouldn't be vacation without some merchandise showing you visited! Topsail has a ton of cute boutique shops that offer unique souvenirs, fudge and popcorn! Be sure to check out the "shark store" as we call it - they have a ton of options and walking "inside" the shark to get inside is always a hit!

Have you ever visited Topsail Island? It really is a beautiful sanctuary for a relaxing week away with all your favorite people! We are always looking for new places to explore with our crew so tell us your favorite vacation spots below!

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