7 Best Things to Do in Surf City, North Carolina (2024)

Highlights
• Topsail Island
• Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and Rehabilitation Center
• Surf City Ocean Pie
• Salty Turtle Beer Company
• Complete List & Map

Topsail Island

Topsail Island is separated from the North Carolina mainland by the numerous sounds and channels which make up the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The island is connected to the mainland by two bridges and is a popular vacation destination. Legend has it that pirates once hid along the Intracoastal waterways and that merchant shippers had to look out for the topsail of the pirates’ ships to avoid capture. After WWII the U.S. Navy used the island as a missile test site - today visitors can tour the Missiles and More Museum to learn all about Operation Bumblebee. Other island attractions include a sea turtle rescue center, great beaches and the Surf City Pier.

Topsail Island, Onslow/Pender County, North Carolina

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and Rehabilitation Center

As sea turtle numbers in the wild decline at an alarming rate, the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and Rehabilitation Center strives to rescue, rehabilitate and offer sanctuary to these amazing endangered creatures. The center is a non-profit organization and visitors have the satisfaction of knowing that they are supporting an essential wildlife cause.

The center volunteers monitor over 26 miles of coastline during the turtle breeding season from May to August, to assist newly-hatched baby turtles safely make their way to the ocean. Visitors to the center will find out all about turtle conservation, care and rehabilitation and meet some of the “patients”. You can further assist the center by “adopting” a turtle.

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center, 302 Tortuga Lane, Surf City, NC 28445, Phone: 910-329-0222

Surf City Ocean Pie

For more than 50 years the Surf City Pier has been a prominent and well-loved landmark in Surf City. The pier has been damaged or destroyed several times due to storms and hurricanes, but has been faithfully repaired and restored each time. Fishing enthusiasts come from near and far to enjoy excellent pier fishing along with great facilities. There are two fish-cleaning stations with running water, a well-stocked tackle shop where you can buy just about everything you need for a fun day of fishing (including bait) and a grill/ice cream shop with outdoor seating area where you can top-up your energy. The pier is lit up at night for all-night fishing.

Surf City Ocean Pie, 112 South Shore Dr, Surf City, NC 28445, Phone: 910-328-3521, Facebook

Salty Turtle Beer Company

Salty Turtle Beer Company is owned and operated by a trio of craft beer enthusiasts who believe that every neighborhood deserves its own special local craft beers. From the outset the brewery partnered with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Center and supports their efforts with a portion of the takings. The tap house is open 7 days a week from 12 noon and beer enthusiasts can look forward to trying several craft beers on tap, including their Hurricane Hazel Hefeweizen, Coastline Kolsch, several IPA’s and their signature She’s so Basic, which is flavored with pumpkin pie and pumpkin pie spices. The on-site store sells a variety of branded apparel to remind you of your visit to Surf City.

Salty Turtle Beer Company, 103 Triton Lane, Surf City, NC 28445, Phone: 910-803-2019

Topsail Steamer

There is nothing quite like joining friends and family to enjoy a great Low Country seafood feast. If you are visiting Topsail Island the place to go for the freshest and tastiest steamer buckets of shrimp, scallops, clams and oyster is the Topsail Steamer. Topsail Steamer makes vacation entertaining at home a breeze – all you do is choose your favorite combinations of sea food, collect your bucket (with all the trimmings) and take it with you to steam at home or on the beach. The company offers a choice of regular buckets or you are welcome to order a custom-selection of your favorite foods together with sides and sauces.

Topsail Steamer, 302 S. Topsail Drive, Surf City, NC 28445, Phone: 910-328-2645

More North Carolina day trips

EMA Touch Tank Aquarium

The EMA Touch Tank Aquarium is one of Surf City’s one-of-a-kind attractions. Geared towards educating its visitors about the diversity of marine life, guests to the EMA Touch Tank can get learn about different marine animals and even see them up close. As the aquarium’s name suggests, guests and encouraged to experience these animals in a hands-on way. Meet bearded dragons, pet a ball python, hold a gecko in your palm, or let a tiny crab walk along your palms and arms. Depending on what time of the year it is, visitors can also see stingrays, starfish, fiddler grabs, and urchins up close.

EMA Touch Tank Aquarium, 106 N. Topsail Drive, Surf City, North Carolina 28445; Phone: 910-515-9751

More ideas: North Carolina beaches

Topsail Escape Room

Topsail Escape Room is the ultimate destination for escape adventures in Surf City. Perfect for all kinds of groups, whether you’re playing with family, friends, or co-workers, Topsail Escape Rooms will have something for every kind of team and all levels of players. What makes Topsail Escape Room unique is they offer both indoor and outdoor adventures. Their newest addition is an outdoor scavenger hunt where teams will have to follow instructions from the journal of Blackbeard to find treasures. Indoor rooms include Ocean’s Call and Beach House Break Out, both of which have a one-hour time limit to find their way out of the escape room.

328 A North Topsail Drive, Surf City, North Carolina 28445, Phone: 910-381-4425

7 Best Things to Do in Surf City, North Carolina:

• 1. Topsail Island
• 2. Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and Rehabilitation Center
• 3. Surf City Ocean Pie
• 4. Salty Turtle Beer Company
• 5. Topsail Steamer
• 6. EMA Touch Tank Aquarium
• 7. Topsail Escape Room