Spring has sprung and we couldn't be happier about it here at Coastline Realty! We love the smell of the fresh air, the sight of the grass getting green again, and best of all (in our opinion) the warm sunny days that leave us feeling the call of the most beautiful beach in the word, Topsail Island! In honor of one of our most favorite seasons, we have decided to put together a list of the top ten things you need to experience when you are in Topsail this year. We have a little bit of everything on our list, so whether you are a nature lover or simply a beach bum, you will love at least one thing on our list! Let's get started counting down from number 10! 

#10 Visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital

One of the most famous attractions on the whole of Topsail Island, and rightfully so, the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital is dedicated to keeping the natural wildlife of Topsail well-protected by raising awareness about nesting season and turtle safety. Through the spring and summer months, they are open for guided tours through their amazing new facility and they love to introduce visitors to their rescue turtles. This is an awesome tour to do if you have little ones because they get an up close look at these magnificent creatures while learning all about how they can help save the turtles of Topsail Island!  

#9 Go Kayaking with Herring's Outdoor Sports

This one is for all of our adventurers out there! If spending a day on the water is your idea of a good time, you will love the kayak tours and rentals from Herring's Outdoor Sports. There is no need to pack your sporting equipment while you are vacationing here in Topsail, Herring's offers everything from kayaks to kites, and even awesome beach gear to make sure you are fully equipped for the perfect outdoor adventure. You can also book one of their tours and explore the tidal creeks and backwaters that run all through Topsail Island. 

Souvenirs are one of the best parts of a vacation, and let's be honest, if you show up without something for Aunt Betty to commemorate your Topsail trip, she is going to be a little disappointed. Who wouldn't want something to take home to remind them of sunny days and family fun? That's one of the reasons Topsail Island's Gift and Fudge made our list. The other reason should be obvious because of the title... FUDGE! Homemade right in front of your eyes and boasting over 100 flavors, this is one for your vacation wish list for sure. Make sure you try the Turtle Cheesecake flavor when you go, it is absolutely to die for!

Get ready to curl up with a good book and even a glass of wine if you want! Quarter Moon Books and Gift Shop is one of the island's best spots to settle down and get reading. They offer a cozy reading nook for you to unwind in their quirky and fun shop filled with local treasures and books by some of the best local authors, as well as best sellers. If you are in the mood to socialize, they also offer live music from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekends. 

Great local flavors and savory Southern favorites await your palate at one of our favorite spots to get a good meal! They have also been awarded the 2015 Wind Spectator Award of Excellence and Open Table's Diner's Choice Award 4 years running, so you know it's bound to be a good meal with a reputation like that. One of the best parts about The Bistro at Just Baked is the fact that the ingredients are all locally grown and non-GMO verified on their 10-acre farm. If you are looking for the menu, make sure you check it the day you plan to go eat there because they change the menu daily based on the fresh ingredients that they have available that day. To book your reservation visit their website. 

For the on-the-water adventurers that we have, a deep sea fishing tour on the Queen Jean is sure to please. Take a day on the water and see what you can catch in the bountiful waters of Topsail. Some of the local fare you are likely to be fishing for include Black Sea Bass, Triggerfish, a variety of Grouper, Snapper, Mahi Mahi, and Mackerel to name a few. Half-day tours are just $70 a person and leave at 9:00 a.m. and arrive back to the dock at 2:00 p.m., which is just in time to cook up your fresh catch for dinner that night! 

Topsail Island is famous for a lot of things, one of which being our amazing landscapes that lend themselves to the vivid scene making of film. Our hallowed scenery has set the stage for many famous cinematic experiences, and now you can step right into the magic yourself. Dawson's Creek, Sleepy Hollow, and even One Tree Hill owe their enchanting imagery to the Topsail area. Check out this listing of all the shows that have been filmed in the greater Topsail area and see if your favorites have made the list! 

Seafood in Topsail is not to be missed, and even if you are not one that will take to that waters yourself, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on this appetizing local experience. There are tons of amazing fresh markets where you can pick from the local bounty of the fresh daily catch. The local fishermen of Topsail are responsible for bringing in some of the best of the best, and you are guaranteed to find something for everyone. From scallops to shrimp and local filets of the freshest fish, this is one vacation tradition that will leave the whole crowd satisfied!  

Our area is ripe with history and boasts some amazing and talented local heroes. One of our favorite local historical landmarks includes the Missiles and More Museum, which tells the story of some of the most daring World War II pilots, that happen to also be women. Aptly dubbed WASP (Women's Air Force Service Pilots), these brave souls were the first females to be trained to fly American military aircraft. They served domestically and were responsible for training the male pilots to fly, among other duties. Another local favorite piece of history includes the Pender County Museum, which is rich in historical artifacts and documents our beautiful Island's history and journey to the county we are today! 

We saved the best for last and you can see why. The number one reason people from all over the world travel to vacation in Topsail year round is because our views are unmatched. The gentle call of the waves and the sun setting on the horizon in Topsail has the ability to transport you to peace and tranquility before you even know what has happened. If you are still looking for that perfect spot to vacation in Topsail, we have exactly what you are looking for with one of our fantastic Topsail Island vacation homes. 

That wraps up our top ten of Topsail. We hope you enjoyed reading and if you think we missed anything on our list of favorites, be sure to add it to the comments below!