Anyone been to Bald Head Island or Top Sail Island (Wilmington: rentals, homes)

[forbiddenbeat]

My girlfriend and I are thinking of taking a weekend trip over to either island and renting a house, just to chill out and hang out on the beach. Has anyone been to either island? Is one nicer than the other?

Also, if anyone knows of any great rentals, please chime in.

Thanks!

[mdp_az]

Topsail & Bald Head are as different as night and day. Bald Head is quite exlusive and is only accessible by passenger ferry. There are no cars on the island and the only transportation is bike or golf cart. Once you're there, you're pretty well stuck unless you want to deal with the ferry back and forth to Southport. I've never been over to BHI, but I've heard it's quite nice.

Topsail is a simple family beach...nothing fancy at all. It's my favorite spot for a day trip or quick beach escape from the Triangle b/c it's much less crowded than Wrightsville and parking is EASY! If staying a while, you can also break away from the island easily to head into Wilmington or elsewhere.

[cry884]

I know a really nice rental on Topsail Island. I prefer it to Bald Head, but I prefer Duck in the Outer Banks to both. But all will get you a nice quiet vacation.

[giffman]

Bald Head......hands down.

[NC gal (aka Oregon gal)]

Topsail all the way!

[leighbhe]

I have been to both.....and, in case you end up at topsail and you haven't been there, the natives pronounce it top-sull!

So, as other's have said, bald head is amazing, only golf carts (many rentals will come with a cart), I think one restaurant, maybe two. Definitely relaxing! topsail is also nice, the beaches can be a bit shell filled (as in tiny shells that hurt while you are walking) but that tends to be at high tide only.

If you are content not going any place and cooking, then I would say bald head. But, if you want to eat out once and a while then topsail.

Good luck!

leigh

[Knightdale]

Bald Head for romance, quiet, and beauty
Topsail for access to other stuff (restaurants shopping, etc) and probably cheaper

[BayVillage]

Two different animals. Just depends what you're looking for. I love Bald Head personally. There a couple of really nice restaurants on the water, beautiful homes, peace and quiet. Topsail is more of a family atmosphere and definitely more crowded.

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by leighbhe

So, as other's have said, bald head is amazing, only golf carts (many rentals will come with a cart), I think one restaurant, maybe two.

Quite a bit more than that, actually:

BALD HEAD ISLAND CLUB DINING
EB & FLO'S STEAM BAR
MARITIME MARKET CAFE & ICE CREAM SHOPPE
THE PELICATESSEN
THE RIVER PILOT CAFE AND LOUNGE
SANDBAR GRILLE
SHOALS CLUB DINING
THE GRILLE

BHI is great for a romantic getaway. I love staying at Theodosia's B&B. (Don't know if it's reopened yet - they were remodelling).

[energygrrl]

I have been to both. I agree with the others. Both different.
I would think topsail is an excellent choice!
Enjoy!