Vacationing tourists aren’t the only ones looking for a good place to stay near the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Topsail Island is the choice nesting ground for several kinds of sea turtles, and along with them is the Topsail Turtle Project, a private, nonprofit, and volunteer organization dedicated to maintaining the sea turtle’s well-being. Their mission to the marine life is to conserve and protect them here and abroad; rescue and rehabilitate the injured; and inform and educate the community about the their plight and threat of extinction. The heart of the organization is the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. For no more than five dollars a visitor, you can experience a guided tour of the facility and see the turtles in their care.
The project’s web pages alone boast information on successful recoveries, releases, and information on nesting along Topsail beaches. So, you’re bound to be part of something new in your visit and even your support through donations.
My family vacationed on Topsail Island this summer, and I really liked being there! It has a small-town vibe: quiet and comfortable. Some beach access is exclusive to visitors and residents of certain residential complexes, and there are some choice local restaurants and even ice cream parlors. The turtle hospital and turtle project are the heart of this community, so I give it all a big “Toast Pop Approval”!
Plan your trip to Topsail Island and the Sea Turtle Rescue Center!
homepage for the rescue center: https://www.seaturtlehospital.org/
Find hours of operation, make a donation, and see what’s going on.
The hospital Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/seaturtlehospital/timeline
See exclusive photos of the Topsail Turtle Project at work, and try out the area guide app.
Topsail Island homepage: http://www.topsailbeach.org/
Arrange to stay right on the island, and find other things to do.
Toast Pop 