The first thing I learned about Top Sail, North Carolina is that it’s not actually pronounced “Top Sail.” It’s more along the lines of “Top Sulll” said as one word. Got it. And, wait for it…. Top Sail used to be a haven for pirates! I have heard the infamous Blackbeard to be exact. Pirates would hide their ships in coves around Top Sail island, only visible by the “top sails” of their vessels. I’ve loved “Goonies” since I was 7 years old, I was convinced that not only did Blackbeard leave an enormous unclaimed treasure here it would undoubtedly be found by yours truly in the back of our rental house.
A girl can dream.
Our rental house was located right on the beach with a pool and hot tub. Bliss. Our pool attracted so many “beachy creatures” that I quickly found myself naming the crabs and frogs that would join me for my morning coffee. There’s something about waking up for a sunrise on vacation, coffee in hand and nothing to clean, while you just sit and watch the day start. I don’t do this in my regular life, just sit and let a morning unfold. Maybe that’s something I need to work on.
Top Sail beach is very quiet and peaceful. You won’t find construction crews working to put up the next high rise or hustling hotels pouring throngs of wagon toting families onto the shores. It is quiet, full of shells and seagulls. My kind of place.
What you will find on Top Sail is a haven for sea turtles. Top Sail’s 26 miles of coastline is preserved and protected by the local Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Located in Surf City, the center allows visitors to come visit, see the turtles that are in rehab and even adopt one of them! We picked a little guy named Dunebug as our adoptee and we got a picture of him to take home. Adopting a turtle allows the center to buy food and medicine in the hopes they can return to the sea quickly. It was amazing to watch the care they take with these beautiful creatures.
We found a cute shop and lunch spot on Top Sail by the name of Beach Shop and Grill. When we entered we were greeted by the owner’s two bull dogs. They were way too darling! The shop area had the quintessential mix of beach themed items so we picked out a picture frame to take home. The lunch menu was well appointed and we had a relaxing meal as a family.
One of our favorite dinner spots in the Top Sail area is Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar. Just loud enough to drown out the sounds of my children, we sat near the bar area and had a blast. Their oysters were top notch and the girls loved that the food was served in large silver buckets. Visit with a large appetite and you won’t be disappointed.
Another favorite restaurant for our group was Daddy Mac’s (great name) Beach Grille. Oceanfront so you can’t go wrong with the view, the menu is large enough to feature something for everyone. The restaurant is very popular with a line literally out the door when we arrived, but a couple of Daddy Mac Punches put us in the mood to wait as long as it took to be seated. They are worth the wait! I would recommend the grouper and crab cakes as an appetizer. Bonus for animal lovers? Dogs are allowed on the patio.
We tried our hand at doing some ocean fishing along the Jolly Roger Inn and Pier. Very nice folks rented us our poles and bate and we set out for a few hours of fun. Jess was the big “winner” as the girls and I have zero fishing skills. One of our neighboring fisherman caught a (mini, thankfully) shark and the girls got to “pet” it before it was returned to its ocean home.
Top Sail does not disappoint and we can’t wait to return again.
Until the next adventure!
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