I went to Topsail Island in summer 04 and I have been dreaming about going back ever since! I stayed at the newly renovated portion of Tiffany's Motel. It was excellent, but I believe they are undergoing several new renovations right now in an attempt to convert to a condotel (so I'm not sure of the current condition). The beach was beautiful and quiet. It's the perfect place for people who want to experience a truly relaxing, quiet vacation. We had to drive about 30-45 minutes to go shopping at nearby cities, but we did not mind making that one of our day trips. I chose to go there for my senior trip because I knew it was safe, clean and quiet. If you have small children this may not be the place for you. There aren't any of the water parks and things that are at commercial beaches, but it is still amzing!!

We just returned from North Topsail Beach area and the beach was clean, the water clear, and we had our own piece of heaven as no one was running over us or our towels, no loud boom boxes or screaming children.
Here are other highlights:
Surf City:
Massage therapy using a variety of techniques in one session, go to "A Beautiful New You"--it is amazing how good you'll feel.

Island Trading Company is a very classy store that sells everything from quality clothing, cookbooks, wine glasses, cards, jewelry, and the best fudge on the island.

Long Island Pizza--the best pizza we had!

Daddy Mac's--great atmosphere, delicious food, good music--perfect!

Crabby Mike's--we have a crabby Mike so it was fun and the food was good, too!

Snead's Ferry:
New York Bagel Co has delicious bagel sandwiches and potato salad!

Shark Attack is fun--stand in the shark's mouth--it makes a great picture and is a nice gift store, too.

Topsail Beach:
Breezeway--good seafood but get there early if you want crab legs--they ran out at 6:30! The water and iced tea had a funny taste so order something else.

Quarter Moon: Books, gifts, coffee drinks, and the only public internet connection we found!

Sea Turtle Hospital--we couldn't get in as the line was half way down the block. With very limited hours and days, it's hard to schedule it.

North Wilmington/Hampstead:
Kiva Mexican Grill--fabulous food, live music, and a trendy atmosphere.

Jacksonville:
A mall and movie theaters and the best I-Hop I've ever eaten at and the waitress was excellent.

We just returned from a quiet week on Topsail Island. We rented a cute 3 bedroom oceanfront. When driving onto the island, I was skeptical. From the street the island looks overcrowded, with every inch developed with rentals and not much landscaping. But once you get beachside, the beach is beautiful, clean and not crowded. Aside from the occasional walkers, the space in front of our house was entirely ours. Their is not a lot of entertainment on Topsail, which is ok by us. Expect a few t-shirt shops, 1 putt-putt golf course and about a dozen restaurants. You will have no problem getting food and supplies and getting on and off the island is very easy. We drove into Wilmington twice, which is less than 30 minutes away, to visit the USS North Carolina and take a Haunted Ghost walk. Those events were not overcrowded, reasonably priced and interesting. I would recommend Topsail if you are looking for a quiet, clean, friendly place to relax and unwind. If you are looking for boardwalks, amusement parks, photo booths etc, this is not the place.

My husband, son, and I come to Topsail every August for a week--we've been coming for seven years, and I love it here. The Outer Banks is too busy, Atlantic Beach is just dirty, and I don't like Myrtle Beach at all. And, Virginia Beach is too busy as well. Topsail is quiet--there are some nice restaurants, and I love to go to the little IGA in Surf City. There is some nice shopping there--not like at other beach places, there is good stuff here. We always talk about buying a condo or house here, but haven't yet. I recommend this little gem for anyone who just wants to get away from it all. THis is a true vacation spot. Just sit there, watch the tide roll in, and then watch it roll away again.