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Plan Your Perfect Beach Vacation in Onslow

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By Misti C. Lee

There is nothing quite as soothing to the soul as a beach vacation in Onslow, especially when you stay in a place perfectly suited for you and your family.

Visitors to Onslow County’s beaches on Topsail Island enjoy a variety of overnight lodging opportunities. Along the northern portion of this 26-mile barrier island, on North Topsail Beach, you’ll find vacation rentals, luxury resorts, motels and campgrounds. In addition, just across the bridge to the mainland, there are nationally recognized chain hotels and a variety of rentals and camping opportunities.

Family beach Vacation in Onslow

What type of accommodations are you looking for? North Topsail Beach has options that fit all kinds of budgets. Rentals range from smaller, more affordable beach cottages up to multi-level luxury homes and oceanfront resorts. Looking for an oceanfront home just steps from the water? Would you prefer to be a row or two back from the surf with beach access? Perhaps you’d enjoy a cedar-sided bungalow nestled into the maritime forest or a cottage on the sound side with a boat slip and view of the Intracoastal Waterway.

For many, it’s a family tradition to visit North Topsail Beach annually and to rent the same cottage they’ve become attached to over the years. Many families have been coming for decades, staying in the same location, making memories year after year. It’s a great way for extended families to reunite and spend a week together, with grandparents and cousins cooking, eating and swimming together.

During the busy summer season, most rentals are booked for a week-long 7-night stay or a long weekend. Many require a three-night minimum, but there are options for shorter “partial week” stays. Rentals range from $1,000 for smaller cottages to $15,000 a week for larger more luxurious multilevel homes that can sleep several families. An average stay costs around $3,500.

Look to our hotels and resorts for nightly and longer stays. If you prefer the ease of included amenities, you’ll love North Topsail Beach’s condos and luxury resorts. At Villa Capriani and St. Regis Resort, there are pools, hot tubs, indoor spas and onsite dining as well as the convenience of being steps from the ocean. You’ll have everything you need, without having to leave your resort (unless you want to), during your stay in one of Villa Capriani’s oceanfront condos. You can lounge on the beach all day, take a dip in one of their pools, then enjoy a dinner of crab cakes or the fresh catch of the day at their onsite restaurants, Splash by the Sea or Ocean's Edge. If you prefer the convenience of a hotel, where breakfast and pool are included, check out our nationally recognized hotel chains. The Hampton Inn Sneads Ferry and the Quality Inn & Suites are located on the Sneads Ferry side of the North Topsail Bridge. Or enjoy staying at a top-rated locally owned favorite hotel, Topsail Shores Inn.  You can easily choose a length of stay to fit your schedule, whether it’s a couple of nights or longer.

You can leave it to the experts. Let the vacation specialists at the many agencies that list privately-owned homes at North Topsail Beach and surrounding coastal communities help you find the perfect place to stay. The staff at agencies like Treasure Realty will help you find extras that are important to you, like a private pool, direct beach access, elevator or kid-friendly accommodations. Treasure Realty manages a large collection of rentals that fit families and budgets of all sizes. Looking for a waterfront luxury home with wedding-friendly accommodations? They’ll know just the place. Rental agencies also make things easier when the unexpected happens and you need to cancel or reschedule your trip.

Find Your Beach Rentals Here

They can also help you with the details and your list of “to do’s.” Don’t worry if you want to scale down your packing list; simply ask them about grocery and linen delivery services. A variety of our beach rental agencies work with a variety of trusted vendors and concierge services who can arrange higher-level amenities so you can vacation more. Want to take a boat ride? Ask about renting a pontoon boat to enjoy a day on the Intracoastal Waterway. They can also arrange water toys such as kayaks, paddleboards and fishing equipment. Sweet Dreams Linens & Rentals works with several rental agencies and can provide bigger items like a baby crib and beach chairs, as well as smaller items like a coffee machine and bed linens.

Looking to bring along Fido? North Topsail Beach is pet-friendly, with rentals where your furry friends can vacation, too. There are walking trails, dog parks, boarding and a handful of places where your pet can hang out with you. Rent a kayak or paddleboard from Paddle NC or North Topsail Surf and Paddle. Both of these great outfitters are more than happy for you to bring Fido along to enjoy a paddling tour of Permuda Island Nature Preserve.

Check with your professional property management to see which rentals work best for you and your pet.

After a good night’s sleep – whether it’s spent in a hotel, bungalow or luxury resort -- you’ll awaken to all the goodness the beach offers. You’ll be thankful for the extra time you’ll have for walking barefoot in the sand, without having to pack up and head home at the end of the day.

Enjoy your stay on North Topsail Beach!

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