The North Carolina shore has a beautiful, slow, winter season with a romantic, charming ambiance, enchanting holiday festivities, and additionally, an uncrowded beach experience. Nourish your soul with natural coastal beauty and a rich, welcoming community. Make a point to explore Topsail and Surf City off-season. Above all, the fresh air, sunshine, solitude, and vibrant wintertime ocean sunrises and sunsets are definitely highlights!
In winter, temperatures are cooler, crowds are fewer, hotel & lodging rates are lower, traffic is minimal, access to parks is easier, and the ambiance of shops, breweries, and restaurants is warm, energetic, and inviting. Seaside holiday decor is enchanting! There’s a quiet, peaceful, romantic atmosphere.
Quiet, reflective, low-season activities are intriguing and add to the charm of this region. A fulfilling, wintertime coastal experience may forever shift your outlook on seaside getaways. Visiting Surf City in winter is entirely different from a summertime island vacation.
Plan your getaway accordingly and stay with us at our pet friendly home only 2 minutes from the beach!
Obviously, swimming and sunbathing are off the list. But with the right gear; surfing, paddleboarding, and scuba diving are still off-season options! Certain boat/fishing charters will not be available, but select wintertime fishing opportunities will be small, world-class adventures!
This is certainly the time of year to relax, take a breath, and indulge in slower, unique coastal experiences & activities. Here’s our list of top-five invigorating and unforgettable coastal, off-season activities.
Dog Days of… Winter! A Dog Lover’s Paradise!
Dogs love running on the beach, playing in the surf and sea! During the high season (from May 15th through Sept. 30th) a leash law is in effect and dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Dog owners can incur a $250 fine if dogs are off-leash during high season.
However, leash fines are not imposed during winter months. Dog days of winter are a paradise for pet owners. Unclip the leash! Let Fido run free on the sandy stretches beside the sparkling, vast Atlantic.
Surf City provides doggie waste bags and waste containers at beach access points. Surf City has a zero-tolerance ordinance regarding pet waste, regardless of season, with a mandatory $100 fine for violations of this policy. Keep this in mind, even in the off-season, and please clean up after your furry friends!
Explore the Empty Beach! Another top thing to do in Sufr City ~ search for Shells, Shark’s Teeth, Pirate Treasure!
The crowds are gone and the weather is wild! As a matter of fact, winter is the BEST time to find the most seashells, shark teeth, and rare beach treasures. Winter storms churn up some incredibly awesome treasures from the ocean floor. Rare fossils, dinosaur bones, prehistoric shark teeth, and even pirate-era gold coins have been discovered along these shores. Have your heart set on rare treasures? Head out early in the morning in winter, after a high storm surge. Remember to dress in layers and warm, waterproof gear!
Crowds are minimal in winter, and empty beaches are ideal for amateur, and professional treasure hunters to explore with metal detectors. Metal detectors are surprisingly fun for all ages! Borrow one from a friend, rent one from a local pawn shop or beach shop, or buy one of your own. Because the beaches are fairly empty during the winter months, this is an ideal time to see what you can find.
Go Stargazing!
Bundle up warmly to marvel at the vivid constellations on the nighttime Surf City beach! Stroll the beach at night, or better yet, go out on the pier to get just a bit further away from the shoreline lights. This is a great spot to watch the Geminid Meteor showers. Built in 1948, the pier stretches out for 937 feet and has lights for night fishing.
Play Golf!
Even when it’s a bit chilly, winter days are perfect for playing a round of golf near Surf City and Topsail Island. Some clubs even provide off-season discounts. While there aren’t any golf courses on the island, the closest ones are just a few minutes away on the mainland.
North Shore Golf Course in Sneads Ferry, (less than 5 minutes from Surf City) offers an 18 holes golf course. Ironclad Golf and Beer in Hampstead, (about 20 minutes from Surf City) offers an 18-hole course, driving range, craft beers, seltzers, pickleball courts, and even night golf.
Take a Winter Hike!
Hiking is one of North Carolina’s most popular activities. Winter season is especially stunning! This is one of my favorite things to do in Surf City!
Hike along a famous trail that runs along the beach here. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a 1,200-mile route in North Carolina that extends from Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to Jockey’s Ridge State Park in the Outer Banks, passing through swamps, historic towns, farmlands, and barrier islands.
Along the way, the trail crosses about 8 miles of beachfront between Surf City and North Topsail Beach. Take a casual stroll along the sand in Surf City to say you’ve walked part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail! Alternatively, go for a long beach hike to tackle the whole 8-mile section.
The Mountain to Sea Trail is accessible in winter and incredibly picturesque in a fresh snowfall, (which typically does not stick long, given the mild coastal climate!) Trails and parks are much less crowded in winter months, and off-season hiking is serene!
There are of course HUNDREDS of other trails you can explore with varying levels.
Plan a trip with your littles, with your companion, or simply go alone.
Either way it is always a great day to TAKE A HIKE in Sedona.
