Map of Beach Accesses

The following link goes to the NC Division of Coastal Management's map of Beach and Coastal Waterfront Accesses for North Carolina:

http://dcm3.enr.state.nc.us/website/nccoastal_access/viewer.htm

Beach Access #3 (North End)

Onslow County Beach Access # 3 is located at the north end of North Topsail Beach off of River Road. The access requires four wheel drive capabilities and parking must be within the confines of the access. Parking is not allowed in the entrance, nor is it allowed on the shoulders of River Road. The speed limit for B.A. #3 is 5 mph, and the access is not for joy riding. ATV’s, motorcycles, and go-cart type vehicles are not allowed. The launching and recovering of water craft in this area is also prohibited. Vehicles are not allowed to drive onto the beach strand as is indicated with a posted sign near where the Atlantic Ocean meets the New River Inlet. Please do not swim in the inlet as the currents are extreme and the tide changes rapidly.

Weddings on the Beach

A permit is not required to have a wedding on the public beach at North Topsail.  We ask that if you do have a wedding, that you leave the beach in the condition that you found it.  Contact Kim Weaver at (910) 328-1349 if you would like to reserve the Town's gazebo or picnic shelter for your event (click here for the reservation form). Marriage licenses are issued through the Onslow County Register of Deeds for more information click here.

We have two handicap accessible beach access points at North Topsail Beach.  One is located at Beach Access #4, which is across from the Town Park on New River Inlet Road.  The second location is Beach Access #2, which is located on Highway 210.  The Town of North Topsail Beach owns one beach wheelchair which may be borrowed for use by individuals.  Please contact the NTB Police Department for information on availability of this equipment (910-328-0042).

Glass

Glass bottles or glass containers of any type are prohibited on the beach.

Camping

Camping overnight on the beach or otherwise using the beach as a domicile is prohibited.

Surfing

Click here for the Topsail Island Surf Report & Forecast.

Holes on the Beach

Please be mindful that unattended holes left on the beach strand can cause injury to others, especially as night falls. Please be sure you fill in any holes before you leave them unattended and please follow the Town's ordinance as follows:

To help prevent personal injury and damage to property, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation within the corporate limits of the Town of North Topsail Beach to dig into the sand on any part of the beach strand greater than twelve (12) inches deep, without having a responsible person attending the area to prevent any person or persons from walking into any existing hole and risking personal injury, and to allow public safety vehicles the ability to respond to emergencies without risk of damage to equipment or personal property.  Prior to leaving the area and thirty (30) minutes prior to sunset, any hole greater than twelve (12) inches deep shall be filled to level with the surrounding area, leaving the area in the same general condition which it was found.

Beach Vitex

IS BANNED ON NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH!

Discussion regarding the Resolution to Eradicate "Beach Vitex" can be found in the Board of Aldermen Minutes of July 2006.

Please stay off all dunes.  Use existing beach access points and crosswalks to enter the beach strand. 

There is a $500 fine for walking on dunes.

Why Stay Off the Dunes?

Walking on the dunes causes deterioration of beach grass and other vegetation that helps to trap and hold the sand in place.  Although beach grass is a hardy plant, and is tolerant to high salinity conditions, direct sun, heat, lack of fertile soil and a fluctuating water supply, it can not survive being trampled by vehicle or man. As part of its resistance to salinity and drying conditions the plant has developed a thick brittle stalk which snaps easily when trampled or driven upon. The passage of only one vehicle or a few people over the dune at the same point will kill a strip of grass.  Without vegetation, the dune is exposed to wind erosion resulting in blowouts or breaches in the dunes.  These breaches or low spots not only create a weak spot in the dune but, become channels for floodwaters to move inland during storm events.  As a result, inland areas become more vulnerable during coastal storms.  Protecting dunes helps prevent loss of life and property during storms and protects the sand supply that slows shoreline erosion.