We had a very beach bum vacation this past week. We explored Topsail Island. We enjoyed the northern tip because we have a 4 wheel drive and could drive on the beach. We've never done that before so really enjoyed driving on the sand. We drove south to Fort Fisher one day and took the ferry to Southport where we explored the island of Southport and Oak Island.
We found that the piers usually have outside bars and enjoyed stopping for an afternoon drink.

We cooked dinner each night at our condo. Around 12:00pm each day we would go to Sneads Ferry where the fishing boats come in, we usually purchased from Everetts and Sons Seafood and bought whatever the catch was that day. The best fish ever!! It does not get any fresher!.

Our condo was rented from VRBO and was the first time in years we were disappointed in VRBO. The view and location was great. When the tide came in, it litterly lapped up under the front steps. From our balcony you could spit in the ocean. This was a great experience, but the unit was dirty. The carpet was filthy and the sofa and loveseat was soiled. We went to the Dollar Store and purchased sheets that we covered them with, we cleaned the oven and kept our shoes on the whole week. We realize the reason is because the condos are being reclaimed by the sea and will not last long, but cleaning is not expensive and should be done. The name of the condo's are Topsail Reef and are located on N Topsail Island. Address in New River Inlet Road. Each unit is unividually owed so some may be cleaner than others. We overcame, and would go back to the island but not these units.

Thanks for the report, cd. I hope you saved someone else that bad unit! I am sorry it was so nasty, but glad that you still had a wonderful time.

I was thinking about you in Topsail during the 4th, cd. Thanks for the update. I'm so sorry you got a bum deal on the condo rental. We usually rent a beachfront house. People seem to like the Villa Capriani condos a lot, although I've never seen them up close and personal.

Devon
Villa Capriani is near where we stayed and looked nice. Next time we will stay at an oceanfront house. Do you know what the weather is like in winter?

I have vacationed on Topsail for years, and we have good friends who live in North Shore (golf community just on the mainland side of the north bridge) and we visit them often.

You're right about Topsail Reef -- another good hurricane and that complex may be gone. I have stayed at the Villa Capriani, and also at St. Regis, several times. On the whole, the Villa is nicer, although we rented a slightly seedy unit there a few years back. Like the Reef, all of the units at the Villa and at the St. Regis are individually owned, and the furnishings/quality/cleanliness vary immensely. Our current strategy is to rent the same unit at the Villa each year (this will be our 3rd year), that meets our needs for furnishings, etc., and has always been clean for our week.

Weather during the winter is hard to predict. In general, daytime temps are in the 50s or possibly the low 60s, although you may get a colder snap, or a warmer snap. I've seen snow there one January, sometimes it has been rainy and cold, and once we actually sat on the beach, in bathing suits, in early February. Mostly, weather in the winter is fine for playing golf, walking on the beach (not wading, though), or sitting on the deck, etc.

We love Topsail. It's not crowded in the winter, and the weather is usually pleasant enough to enjoy being outside.

Thanks SugarPlum for the winter info.

Sugar Plum is correct on the weather. However if you are looking more like late Fall (October thru Mid-Novemeber) we have always had great weather, the fishing boats are still going out & you'll have the beach to yourself (+ you can still get in the water). Not to mention prices will be 1/3 to 1/2 of what you just paid many places.

Thanks SAnParis that is always good to know. If we did not have jobs, we would certainly be there as we love being at the ocean.