Topsail Island is located about 20 miles north of Wilmington. It is a 26-mile-long barrier island just south of Camp Lejeune, the Bogue Banks, and the Outer Banks. It contains the municipalities of North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach. Most people who come for the summer have found a vacation rental. Along with its thick maritime forests, Topsail Island is also a sanctuary for sea turtles. On a Saturday during July and August it is not uncommon for some 10,000 to 15,000 people to descend onto Topsail over a three to four hour period. Therefore, be advised, coming onto the Island through Surf City, there may be backups from the intersection of Rt. 210 and Rt. 50 onto the Island.

Also bear in mind that the Surf City Swing Bridge customarily opens at the top of the hour, which predicates longer backups. On the half-hour is often a better time to cross. A convenient alternative may be coming onto the Island through Sneads Ferry, via the high-rise bridge into North Topsail Beach.