My family loves Topsail beach. I don't think it takes much longer to get to than Wrightsville, and we have never spent more than 2 minutes trying to find a parking spot (free parking no less). The parking lots are also a very short walk to the beach. The beach is great for smaller kids because there is not a steep drop-off. My wife has been going every week so far this summer with the kids and another family in the neighborhood.
Beaches If you want a less crowded beach, nice beach area, try Ocean Isle, or Holden Beach. The exit is before Wilmington and if I recall mentions Sunset Beach. Takes just a bit longer to get to than Wrightsville, but worth it. Public parking and bathrooms at Holden. At Ocean Isle if you park at the peer, there is a public bathroom.
From 40/42 it takes me 1 hour, 45 minutes to cross the swing bridge onto Topsail Island. Public parking, beach access,fishing pier, grocery store, restaurants are straight ahead, 1/2 mile. As for cheap eats, Batts, on the left, may be a little less than pretty to look at, but where else can you get a fried shrimp plate for $5.99?!!! 8)
2 1/2 hours? Which way are you going? I'm about 10 miles from McGees crossroads exit and I can get there in about 90 minutes.
I have been to almost every beach that has been mentioned here and I would have to say Emerald Isle has been my favorite. It is not that really crazy croweded and the water is more greenish/blue than what you will see further south. It took us last week about 2 hrs and 15 minutes to get there from exit 319
Its been ages since I've been down Topsail/Surf City way. How do ya'll go...do you go through Duplin like you're headed toward Jacksonville? Highway 24?
You know, speaking of rough waves...the family went down to Myrtle Beach last year in August. I couldn't remember a more pleasurable time in the surf. The water temperature was perfect, the waves were very easy, little undertoe and not alot of shells in the surf. We went last month (June) and the waves were choppy, the undertoe was a bit stronger and there were so many broken shells in the water, it was like walking on broken glass!
if any of your kids want to enjoy a day of collecting shells, i would love to take off your hands, working on a project at home
