When visiting the Greater Topsail Area, it’s good to know the area is accessible for all.

Beach wheelchairs are available from North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Topsail Beach. These wide-tired chairs are perfect for traction in the sand.

There are two handicap-accessible beach access points in North Topsail Beach. Use Onslow County Beach Access #4 or Onslow County Beach Access #2. Access #2 has a Hatteras ramp for easy access, especially for toting strollers and beach wagons. Access #4 offers wide sandy access.

The Town of North Topsail Beach owns two beach wheelchairs and a beach walker. The items may be borrowed for individual use. They are available through the North Topsail Beach Police Department. To reserve the equipment, please call 910-328-0042.

In Surf City, the town’s Parks, Recreation & Tourism department offers beach wheelchair rentals. Beach wheelchairs are available for weekly or daily rentals. Rentals are approved and processed through the Town of Surf City no more than a month in advance. A $50 refundable deposit is required. For more information, call 910-328-2716 or reserve a wheelchair online at surfcity.recdesk.com.

Wheelchair-accessible Beach Accesses are #1 at 2100 North Shore Dr., #5 at 1700 North Shore Dr., #6 at 1500 North Shore Dr., #13 at 510 North Shore Dr., #18 at 100 Roland Ave., and #19 at 200 South Shore Dr.

In the Town of Topsail Beach, there are three beach wheelchairs available for anyone having difficulty walking in the sand. The beach wheelchairs are free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis and can be used only within the Town of Topsail Beach.

Beach wheelchairs may be checked out from the Topsail Beach Police Department daily.

Topsail Beach also offers a beach wheelchair for the water. This wheelchair floats slightly and must be used with a caregiver. It allows visitors to enjoy the beach and ocean who could not walk or stand against the waves.

For more information about the free use of wheelchairs in Topsail Beach, call the police department at 910-328-4851.

In the Greater Topsail Area, many of our playgrounds have inclusive, accessible equipment, including Pender County’s Kiwanis Park in Hampstead.

Two of our most popular attractions, the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, and Missiles and More Museum are wheelchair accessible.

The Historical Society of Topsail Island operates the Missiles and More Museum in the Assembly Building. Throughout the year, various programs are offered, such as an aquarium program and bingo for all ages. There is a wheelchair-accessible ramp at the Assembly Building.

The Historical Society of Topsail Island also offers a free one-mile hike around Topsail Beach that expounds on the history of Operation Bumblebee and other points of interest. The hike is on an even, paved surface, perfect for strollers and wheelchairs. To learn more about the hike, click here. 

For more information about inclusive and accessible sites, visit the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism website at topsailchamber.org or call 910-329-4446.