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The Salty Edge

Island · south end

Topsail Beach

The quiet south end — fishing pier, rocket history, and New Topsail Inlet.

See activities hereAll four towns

The story of Topsail Beach

Topsail Beach kept the island's rocket history: Operation Bumblebee ran from these dunes in 1946–1948. The assembly building and observation towers still stand. The town stayed small on purpose.

What Topsail Beach is good for

  • A quieter week
  • Island history
  • Pier fishing without the crowd
  • Sunset and dinner
  • Walking the south end

At a glance

County
Pender County
Where it sits
Island · south end
Activities listed here
3 in town
A quieter weekIsland historyPier fishing without the crowdSunset and dinnerWalking the south end

What Topsail Beach offers

The reasons people stay in this town rather than the next one down the island.

  • Jolly Roger Pier

    The quietest of the three ocean piers. Pay at the shop and walk out.

  • Operation Bumblebee, on site

    The Missiles and More Museum is in the Navy assembly building. Opening is seasonal.

  • The observation towers

    Eight concrete towers built to track test launches. Several still stand, and they are free to look at.

Activities in Topsail Beach

Every place we list in this town. Directions are on each card.