According to legend, Topsail Island has a wicked way of how it got its name. Between North Carolina’s 41.8 km (26-mi) long barrier island and the mainland is a channel (part of the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway) where pirates once hid their ships and waited for a merchant ship to hijack. The merchants got smart and avoided the area upon seeing the topsail of the pirate ships. It is believed Blackbeard’s loot is buried in the island’s thick maritime forests. However, the real treasure of this island is the long stretch of lovely sandy beaches and warm pristine Atlantic waters that is home to sea turtles. If you want to have a feel of where pirates used to tread, plan a trip to the island. Check out our list of the 10 best Airbnb vacation rentals on Topsail Island, North Carolina.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on August 30, 2025.
1. Fabulous beachfront townhome for 12 (from USD 798)
This beautiful beachfront townhome is in Surf City near restaurants and 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from the pier, bakeries, cafes, yoga studio, and ice cream shops. It’s big enough to house 12 guests in the 4 capacious bedrooms spread over 3 floors. Stunning beach views can be seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the main level and the oceanfront bedrooms on the upper floors. The main level features a gourmet kitchen, dining area, and living room where guests can gather to eat and socialize. Each floor has a deck, the upper levels are for lounging and the lower level is for soaking in a hot tub, overlooking the sea.
Surf City, North Carolina, United States
1.03 km (0.7 mi) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Superhost
Accommodates: 10
Top guest reviews
Host:
your hosts are amazing peoplekaren was a great hostkaren was a great hostthe host was super responsive and very accommodatingbeautiful home and amazing hostLocation:
karen's house is in a great location - steps from the beach and walking distance to restaurantsgreat location with everything you could possibly needperfect location and pretty much perfect everythingchristine just down the street to help if neededkaren's place is beautifully decorated and the perfect locationRead more reviewsCleanliness:
it was super clean and nicely decoratedthe house was very clean and well stockedthe house was very clean and very well decoratedreally comfortable beds and tons of lovely clean linensthe property is just as good as advertised the home is beautiful and clean and offers amazing views
2. Lovely condo in a quiet neighborhood (from USD 1735)
Steps away from the beach is a lovely remodeled condo in a quiet neighborhood. It’s stylish and spacious for four guests. The interiors are painted in various shades of blue, light yellow, and white—giving the space a bright and cheerful atmosphere. Marble countertops and wicker furniture exude an expensive resort-like vibe. There are several places to lounge and relax with a beautiful ocean view like in the two living rooms and side deck. Both bedrooms are upstairs, while the two luxurious bathrooms are spread on two floors. The fully stocked kitchen with a bar counter for dining and a living room for watching TV shares the open layout.
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, United States
8.23 km (5.2 mi) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Accommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
don is a great hostdon was an awesome host that was so accommodating and kinddon is a great hostdon was a good hostgreat place very responsive hostLocation:
this condo is in a great location on topsailthis place is very cute and in a great locationgood location for kayaking in the sound plus a short walk to the beachthe location of don's place is perfectthe location is very nice and quietCleanliness:
clean organized and is well decoratedthe place was clean and comfythe place was very clean and exactly as describedthis place was very clean pleasantly decorated and comfortableit is super cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
beautiful view of the sunsets overlooking the pool and baythe property was comfortable and well maintained
3. Oceanfront apartment with a private walkway (from USD 942)
Relax and rejuvenate in this gorgeous oceanfront apartment near a beach, shops, and restaurants of Surf City. The unit is on the second floor of the owner’s garage with its own entrance and parking space. It has two bedrooms provided with fresh linens and a shared bathroom with free bath essentials. The tiny kitchen is equipped for cooking quick meals. Four guests can dine inside or out on the deck. The cozy living room has an L-shaped sofa for stretching your legs while watching TV. Bask in the sun’s rays on the front deck with awesome ocean views. Use the private walkway to the beach and the outdoor shower for rinsing after swimming.
Surf City, North Carolina, United States
567 meters (0.4 ft) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Superhost
Accommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
sandi was welcoming and a great hostsandi is a great hostsandi is a wonderful host and is quick to respond to questionsshe and tom are thoughtful generous and friendly hostssandi & tom were perfect hostsLocation:
great location right on the beach within walking distance to shops and restaurantsthe location and price were amazingthe location is ideal - close to tons of restaurants and right on the beachit's in a great location and in walking distance to local restaurants/activitieseasy walks to restaurants and shoppingCleanliness:
the house was very clean and cozyit was clean comfortable and beautifulthe apartment was clean and comfortablesuper clean nicely decorated and had everything one would needthe beds in sandi's place were extremely comfortable and everything was clean and tidyRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
very cozy place with a nice view of the oceannice and cozy space that has all the amenities needed for a great staynice garage top 2-br apartment with ocean view from living room and kitchensandi's place is lovely and cozy perfectly located and the amenities were perfecti loved that under the tables there were board games and books
4. Dreamy home close to Topsail Beach (from USD 300)
Your dream home becomes a reality by booking this oceanfront abode that admits 10 guests. It’s 1 mi (1.6 km) away from Topsail Beach, while Surf City is 5 mi (8 km) away. The interiors are painted in soft pastel colors and decorated with chic resort-type furniture for a truly relaxing ambiance. The high vaulted ceilings and big picture windows make it look spacious and welcoming. The multi-level home features a garage, grill, and laundry area on the ground floor; a lounge, dining, and U-type kitchen on the main floor; and three capacious bedrooms on the top floor. Enjoy outdoor dining on the deck with panoramic beach views.
Topsail Beach, North Carolina, United States
10.25 km (6.4 mi) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Superhost
Accommodates: 10
Top guest reviews
Host:
the staff was welcoming and responded quickly to any questionsLocation:
great location for a family getawaygreat location beach is literally steps awaythe location was quiet and very peacefulthe location was awesome exactly what i was looking forthe location was absolutely perfect and the house was great for our family of 4Cleanliness:
space is clean and comfortableit was very cleangreat space and was spotlessly cleanthe house was so clean and brightloved how new and clean everything on the gorgeous deck wasRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
clean great view nice furnishings very comfortable the perfect vacation spot
5. Waterfront haven with a hot tub (from USD 1139)
This house is on an island surrounded by crystal-clear waters of Topsail Sound. It’s beside the beach with a private boat dock where you can moor your boat or sit down to catch crabs and fish. The 3-story house is a wonderful refuge for 10 guests with its 4 well-appointed guest rooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Every room affords panoramic views through its wide bay windows. Gather your family on the main floor to have dinner, play board games in the living room, or help prepare meals in the open kitchen. Dine al fresco on the shaded deck and enjoy the perfect view of the waters. Soak in the hot tub on the upper-floor balcony with sunset views.
Surf City, North Carolina, United States
4.56 km (2.9 mi) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Superhost
Accommodates: 10
Top guest reviews
Host:
the host was very helpful and accommodatingjoi was the perfect hostjoi was quick to respond to any questions and was truly a great hostjoi was so kind and responsivejoi was a wonderful host and a pleasure to communicate withLocation:
great house in a fantastic locationvery quiet and nice locationthis is a fab house in a brilliant location overlooking the soundlocation- quiet scenic family friendlygreat space great location wonderful experience from start to finishCleanliness:
the house is clean and stocked and decorated wonderfullyit was well-appointed spacious clean and beautiful decoratedthe house is stunningly beautiful was clean and very comfortablethe house was absolutely perfect clean comfortable and orally adorablethey keep their property clean and tidy with a very cozy and eclectic feelRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
amazing views from every roomthe space was perfect and the master is large with it's own deck bathroom and stunning viewthe fourth bedroom is quite small and with bunk beds a very tight fit for 4 kidsthis house is the perfect getaway with spectacular views and a comfortable welcoming feelhome- cozy comfortable incredible 360° views of waterMonthly discount: 30% off
6. Oceanfront house in North Topsail Beach (from USD 3130)
Consider this beachfront property in North Topsail Beach with lots of privacy and beautiful vistas. It hosts eight guests comfortably with its queen-sized beds and sleeper sofas distributed between the main house and the studio suite next door. Though the studio suite has its own dinette, mini kitchen, TV, and full bathroom, guests can walk over to the main house and share the main facilities. The main house has a wide deck with panoramic ocean views. It can be seen through the glass sliding doors that open to the family room, dining area, and gourmet kitchen. The cozy maritime theme puts the family in a relaxed mode while watching TV, playing foosball in the corner, or just hanging out on the deck.
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, United States
8.79 km (5.5 mi) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Superhost
Accommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Host:
alex was a great hostalex was a great hostalex is a awesome hostgreat host and knowledgeable about areaalex was such a great host he made sure we had all we needed and then someLocation:
the location was the bestgreat location to the beach restaurants and shoppingthe location of the bungalow was amazingexcellent location right on the beach comfortable and perfect for relaxinggreat location cute and comfy set up and very accommodatingCleanliness:
very clean and loved the thoughtful toucheseverything was very clean and beach access was very convenientit was very clean and had everything we neededthe space was sparkling clean and the bed very comfortablethe place was spotless and very nicely decoratedRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
clean comfy bed access to private deck with great views easy parking mini fridge/microwave/coffeewe had a wonderful time here and especially enjoyed the terrific view from the house living room and deckswe had a very comfortable and enjoyable stay
7. Cute beach condo near local amenities (from USD 225)
This cute and cozy beach condo is in a pleasant neighborhood near North Topsail Beach, groceries, and shops. The remodeled unit is spacious, minimalist, and stylish. It’s above a garage that was converted into a game room. A tiny front deck with bistro chairs greets you at the front door. The main floor features a fully stocked kitchen, living room, dining area, and a wide deck at the back for outdoor dining. Upstairs are two cozy bedrooms with queen beds and a common room with a sofa bed. If you want to swim, you can walk to the beach or dive in the community pool nearby.
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, United States
8.11 km (5.1 mi) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Superhost
Accommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Host:
you can tell the host put this place together with carehost is very easy to work with great response timethe hosts were very quick to respond and were very helpfula great value and awesome hostfelt like the owners really made an effort on the detailsLocation:
the location was perfecteasy walk to beachbeautiful location and a great staybeautiful home close to the beach and the soundhi future travelers this is a beautiful place to stay on topsail islandCleanliness:
such a lovely place - very clean and comfortablesuper clean and well decorated (not cluttered)the condo was sparkling clean and had all the extraseverything was very new and especially cleanit is so beautiful and clean and made for such an enjoyable and comfortable weekRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
my kids loved the game room downstairs (arcade games air hockey pop-a-shot skateboards)the beds were very comfortablethe game room in the garage was a nice touchwe really enjoyed the garage game room when we had to wait out the rain
8. Unique townhouse with magnificent sea views (from USD 1081)
This uniquely designed multi-level townhouse in Surf City features high cathedral ceilings and large bay windows with a view of the sea. Even the interiors have a nautical theme with blue accents to complement the clean white and neat gray walls. About 10 guests can sleep in the 3 huge bedrooms with 6 thick beds. Some can also relax in the sitting room that has a sofa bed or in the loft upstairs that comes with a futon and chalkboard for kids. For workaholics, there are two workstations in this cozy home. The wide decks on the upper floors are perfect for lounging or taking naps in the hammock with sea views.
Surf City, North Carolina, United States
3.07 km (2.0 mi) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Superhost
Accommodates: 11
Top guest reviews
Location:
great location right on beachbeautiful townhouse and perfect locationgood publix close by for shopping for foodgreat location with easy beach access spacious house has everything you needdiane's place was an ideal spot for our family vacationCleanliness:
everything was spotless cleanvery clean and spacious condoit was sparkling clean and diane was very responsiveRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the balcony was the favorite spot with high table and chairs so you can see everythingthe couch/living area is very comfortable and has lots of good seatingplenty of amenities to make your stay more comfortable and felt like home the minute we walked inthe kitchen is bright and had everything you’d need in terms of cooking equipmentwe all had our own rooms & bathrooms which was key highly recommended
9. Beautiful cottage close to Wilmington Airport (from USD 159)
Let this cottage be your hideaway on Ocean Drive for your family outings or for a couple’s honeymoon. The cottage on stilts is steps to the beach, near restaurants and shops, and half an hour to Wilmington Airport. A neat and simple house, it is spacious and comfy for four guests. There’s a TV in every room, and the kitchen is equipped with everything you might need to cook a family meal. Enjoy hot showers in the full bathroom with complimentary bath essentials. Cap the night off with a glass of wine while surrounded by ocean views.
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, United States
6.64 km (4.2 mi) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Superhost
Accommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Host:
chrystie is a wonderful host who responded quickly to all of my questionschryste was an excellent host super responsive and helpfulshe is a great host quick to return calls or texts very accommodatingwe could not have asked for anything more chryste was a wonderful and responsive hostchryste you have been a wonderful host yet again and we will see you next summerLocation:
the location was absolutely superbthis house and location was perfect for usgreat location and easy access to the beachbeach access right across the street to a beautiful beachquiet yet super close to sweet stores- and food in surf cityRead more reviewsCleanliness:
very clean and right on the beachvery clean met and exceeded my expectationsthe place is clean and has enough room for the familythe until was very clean and you can hear the waves rolling inthis is a perfect place to stay for a small family the house is well decorated and clean
10. Bright cottage for a family of six
For a family of six, this half duplex is the perfect base for a summer vacation. It’s a remodeled cottage in a quiet neighborhood in North Topsail Beach, 40 mi (64.4 km) to Wilmington, and 20 mi (32.2 km) to Jackson. Designed with a shabby-chic motif, the cottage has a fully stocked open kitchen, a four-seater dining area, a full bathroom with laundry facilities, and a deck with distant sea views to make the entire stay cozy and convenient. The parents can sleep in the master suite with a queen bed, while the kids enjoy a good night’s sleep in the second bedroom with bunk beds. Two more guests or family members can sleep in the pull-out bed in the living room. If you need more space for more guests, the ground-floor duplex is available for rent.
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, United States
8.04 km (5.0 mi) from Surf City Ocean Pier, Inc.Accommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Host:
jonathan's place is very clean and he is a great hostLocation:
cute place in a great locationsuper close to beachgreat space and convenient locationgreat location- 5 min quick walk to the beachthe house was in a nice location a short walk to the beachCleanliness:
clean and well maintainedvery clean and comfortablevery clean and newly renovatedthis place was very clean and the beds were comfortableclean apartment with very comfortable bedsRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
master bed is very comfortable (mattress seems brand new)the beds were comfortable and were already made for our stayplenty of space for all of us to have a comfortable and relaxing stayair conditioning worked very well everything clean upon arrival
The very best of Topsail Island
Surf City and North Topsail Beach are known for offering the best accommodations with stunning sea views and complete home comforts. Our list of the 10 best Airbnb vacation rentals on Topsail Island, North Carolina, definitely proves this so book one of them on your next visit.
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