Topsail area offers plenty of access to waterways

Topsail Island has much to offer visitors and tourist these days, but sometimes the original reason people flocked to the area is taken for granted. People, in the old days, came to Topsail for one reason: the water.

There are plenty of water sports to be played in the ocean, sound and nearby Cape Fear River. This list will help you get out there.

The following is a rundown of the area’s best marinas and boat ramps.

Boat Ramps

In downtown Surf City, Soundside Park has a popular boat ramp with plenty of parking that provides public access to the intra-coastal waterway.

North Topsail Beach has public boat ramps available under the high-rise bridge on Shrimp Lady Lane.

And Topsail Beach has recently purchased a boat ramp for its residents. It costs $10 per launch without a pass. Passes are available to property owners and residents at a yearly rate of $50 or a weekly pass for $20. Nonresidents can purchase a yearly pass for $100 or a weekly pass for $40. Passes are sold at the Town Hall Monday through Thursday and at the Marina on Friday through Sunday.

There are two public boat ramps that allow access to the Northeast Cape Fear River in Pender County. On the east bank, a ramp can be found off County Road 1520 seven miles north of Highway 210. Off Highway 53 and at the end of County Road 1512 is a ramp that allows access to the west bank of the river.

Marinas

Right in downtown Surf City, Beach House Marina, the area’s newest, offers dry storage for boats available at monthly or yearly rates. There are also permanent water slips and a dock for visiting boaters. Ice and fuel are available at the marina and its close proximity to The Fishing Village and East Coast Sports allows for all the tackle and equipment anyone could need.

Sneads Ferry offers two marinas with access to the New River Inlet and the Intracoastal Waterway. New River Marina on James Street has bait, supplies, restrooms, showers and other amenities a boater needs. Old Ferry Marina, sitting on five acres of land, boasts a sheltered cove where boaters can pull into during bad weather.

For a little fresh water action, you could head over to Holland’s Shelter Creek in Burgaw. Holland’s has rustic cabins with heating and air conditioning, and an RV park with full hookups. Rentals include boats, canoes and kayaks that can be taken on the Cape Fear River. Holland’s is also home to a seafood restaurant. The campground is located on Highway 53 about six miles outside of Burgaw.