When you visit the Greater Topsail Area, we encourage you to hurkle-durkle at least one day on your vacation.

Wait, you’re thinking. What is hurkle-durkle? It’s not to be found in any visitor guide.

Hurkle-durkling is a Scottish term that means to lounge in bed or sleep-in when you are normally out and about. It's a phrase that has been used since the mid-1800s.

Our region has a rich Scottish heritage. The Scots fought at the first Patriots’ victory at Moores Creek National Battlefield in nearby Currie, North Carolina. This Revolutionary War battle changed to momentum of the war. The Patriots’ victory led to the Halifax Resolves and North Carolina declaring independence from England and King George – the first of the 13 colonies to do so.

After you have hurkle-durkled, you can tour Moores Creek National Battlefield. It is approximately a 50-minute drive from Topsail Island. A walking path of less than 1-mile will outline the battle as you cross Moores Creek. The visitor center at Moores Creek National Battlefield offers displays and a short movie to give a historical background of the battle. If you are a fan of the Outlander book series, this battle appears in Diane Gabaldon’s novel.

 As we prepare for America’s 250^th Anniversary, Moores Creek is a national kick-off location with the NC First in Freedom Festival.

Admission is free. The visitor center is closed on Mondays.

Now, back to hurkle-durkling. On Topsail, we have another name for hurkle-durkle. It’s called “island time.”

Sleep in, relax on the beach, and forget your watch. Island time is a time to kick back. There’s no rush hour on Topsail Island. The ocean will still be here in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Tides come in and out twice a day.

Vacationing in the Greater Topsail Area should always include a visit to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center and Missiles and More Museum. At the sea turtle hospital tour sick bay and watch as injured endangered sea turtles are nurtured back to health.  At Missiles and More, discover Operation Bumblebee, the top-secret mission that developed guided rocket technology.

Take your time and dine at our locally owned-and-operated restaurants that offer the freshest catch of the day. Our shops and boutiques, also locally owned, offer treasures to take home to share with family and friends.

After some restful hurkle-durkling, experience Topsail like a local. Grab a charter and deep-sea fish. Or cruise the Intracoastal Waterway with our local guides at sunset for a vista view you won’t find anywhere else. Rent a kayak or a stand-up paddle board (SUP). Take a surfing lesson from one of our surfing instructors. Hike our segment of the Mountains to Sea Trail. Visit the south end of the island where there are just dunes and windswept sea oats. At The Point, you will experience shelling and birding. Hear the ocean when it meets Topsail Sound. Visit an oyster farm and learn how oysters clean our waters.

There’s so much to see and do at Topsail. So don’t forget to relax.  

Hurkle durkle this year at Topsail where the sea, sand, and experience make the perfectly balanced vacation.