Really nice beach. There's a parking lot at this location and many other areas, but they can get…read morecrowded. Depending on where you park it's $5 or $6 an hour or $25 or $30 per day max. If you're unsure about how long you'll stay you can always just pay for an hour and add time on, but just be aware the app also charges a .50 convenience fee every time. There were lots of shells when the tide was going out and we even found a shark tooth during our visit. The water was pretty clear and we also saw lots of small fish.

Recently went to visit my family in Wilmington, NC and with this being our first visit here, of…read morecourse, we had to go to Wrightsville Beach! What a charming area and stunning beach. I love 30A and the turquoise waters of the gulf, however, there's something about that darker, more packed natural sand covered in natural seashells. Quite different from the white sand beaches, but like I said, I almost appreciated this more because it feels more authentic. And let's be honest, a trip to the beach always feels refreshing no matter where! Luckily enough, we picked a day that wasn't too crowded at all and the weather was perfect. Couldn't have asked for a better experience here, and also, shoutout to the super sweet husband and wife who insisted on taking a family photo for us!

No free parking anywhere…read more Instantly got a ticket. Tried to pay on app which failed. Oak Island escalated the ticket to $50. Still trying to resolve. Better choose a more visitor friendly community.

Beautiful beach with great views, a place to just chill out and take it all in…read more Awesome ocean view with beautiful beaches.

Loved the relaxing visit here. The boardwalk was awesome! Beach wasn't super crowded and the locals…read morewere so friendly. Shops DT were cute and fun dive bars to watch sports. Thanks, CB. xoxo

Sandy, clean and a great spot to enjoy the beach. We parked at the Hamlet public parking lot which…read moreis an insane $5 per hour but the lot also has showers for washing off the sand and a decent restroom. So better than most beaches I've experienced. There is a planked pathway across the dune with trash cans on both sides. Perhaps that's why there was very little litter today. Hamlet is far enough away from the commercial boardwalk to be quite peaceful and laid-back. The beach is flat and smooth though the sand is loose making for a good workout getting to the water. Very few rocks or shells. [Review 1357 of 2025 - 4476 in North Carolina - 24909 overall]

I love sandy beaches and this one's my favorite…read more Sunset Beach is quiet, serene and home to my beloved 'Kindred Spirits mailbox', Wind Phone(Google it, you won't be disappointed) & Bird Island Preserve. One of the cleanest beaches I've been to, it's great for beach combing. The kid in you would rejoice if you love shells :) Important: There are no lifeguards on duty so please don't stay late after sunset. Although it can get extremely chilly and windy during cold seasons, it is a must-visit for people of all ages, especially families with kids. Free parking is limited and sometimes impossible to find during peak seasons so recommend going there early.

This was the third year (2026) in a row we vacationed at Sunset Beach. The beach parking rules have…read morechanged three times in the three years we have been there. And NOT for the better. Golf carts are regularly used to access the beach (for people and beach equipment) and the parking rules have become increasingly restrictive. Payment by kiosk or a parking permit is mandatory for beach access parking, adding to the expense of staying here. Additionally, police are harassing golf cart users for not following state car rules for going two or three blocks to the beach. Ridiculous. Seriously considering going elsewhere next summer.

This beach has become my favorite east coast beach. My family and I were here in late November thru…read moremid December and visited this beach almost everyday while we stayed at the Inns. The beach is a short drive from the Inns. The beach is very clean and the beach is beautiful to walk during low tide. During the weekdays we had the beach to ourselves for the most part. There are plenty of parking spaces during the winter time. The weekend definitely had more foot traffic but we had a weekend that was in the 70s. It was so lovely to walk up and down this beach. The sand is great for walking even with shoes on. I look forward to coming back during warmer months in the future. The views here are so calming and peaceful.

On the beach at Camp Lejeune two bath houses great for finding shark teeth, big ways for the family…read moreto play in

Came here decades ago, and it was growing. Nowadays it is pretty well filled in with houses. And…read moreit's mostly houses- a few shops and restaurants by the water tower, but you probably want to head up to Surf City for that, especially in the off season. Which is when we were here this time, for a family gathering. And Topsail Beach is fine for that. Quiet, with the beach along one side and the sound on the other. Always steps from the water. I would definitely come back. In season there are museums, mini golf, turtle rescue place, etc. And more restaurants open.

It's just a beautiful piece of nature where anyone can have a great time. Very relaxing for anyone…read moreof any age. And never overly crowed. A beautiful & wonderful place that I discovered over 50 yrs ago the first time I ever visited Topsail beach, NC! Amazingly beautiful!

DO NOT GO -- Save Your Money!…read more Absolutely terrible experience. There is nothing fun or relaxing about this beach! The fire department and lifeguards are constantly yelling at people and making everyone feel like they're doing something wrong. We even watched them randomly kick people off the beach, and there seemed to be no clear reason for it. A beach is supposed to be somewhere you can relax, have fun, and enjoy the day--not somewhere you feel like you're constantly being watched, yelled at, or waiting to be told what you can and can't do. With the city and beach reportedly being nearly $2 million in debt, it's honestly not surprising if this is the kind of experience visitors and locals (like us) are getting. People aren't going to keep coming back to a beach where they can't actually enjoy themselves. Save yourself the frustration and go somewhere else. There are plenty of beaches where you can actually relax, have fun, and enjoy your day without being constantly hassled. I would absolutely avoid this beach at all cost. Sadly a year ago this beach was NOT like this, used to be so different a year ago!

Skip Carolina Beach $50 parking and drive 3 miles south to Kure parking is $20 per day. Closest…read moreparking directions type in GPS 'Hi-Tech Arcade'. Pro tip: drive another south 3 miles to the NC aquarium there's free parking and access to the beach @ Fort Fisher State Recreation Area

Visiting from New York and was in search of a local beach near Jacksonville. My online research…read morelead me to North Top Sail just under 30 minutes from Jacksonville. I love that we were able to pull up and hop out right on the beach. No long walk distances from Parking like at Jones Beach and Long Beach in New York. This beach was the perfect getaway during the 90 degree evening. This was my first visit to a beach in North Carolina since my mother relocated here from South Carolina. This beach was very clean and comfortable. Very scenic with beautiful beach homes on the sand and lovely green landscape. I also love that it wasn't a long distance drive to paradise. I can imagine during the day the parking lot can fill up quickly due to there being no real lot rather just spaces to park.

I loved coming to North Topsail and looking for shark teeth. I believe my record for 1 day was…read moreabout 75 teeth. The beach is not very commercialized, which I enjoy. The water is cold and rough, and there are sharks... but you're going to have sharks anywhere there is salt water. Just saying. Beautiful sunrises and beautiful sunsets! We even had our engagement photos taken here.

Free parking, short walk (with stairs over dunes), and has a bathroom and rinse area. Limited…read moreparking but a great spot to park for your beach day.

Tourisms description - Located on SR 1568, sound side, 4 miles north of North Topsail Beach…read morehigh-rise bridge. Features a ramp and walkway to the ocean, restrooms, showers, and a gravel parking lot for 30 vehicles on about 1 acre. My description - Easy access to a clean beach with fine white sand. Has both handicap parking and is easily handicap or physically challenged accessible. Fun for sun bathing, building sandcastles, strolling the beach , checking out/collecting washed up shells and petrified shark teeth, enjoying the coastal outdoors. I've never been here in the summer during tourist season but treasure my Fall trips to an almost vacant beach.