As destinations around the world reopen to travelers, we’re excited to return to one of our favorite pastimes: exploring new places. Over the coming weeks we’ll share destinations with the hashtag #WelcomeBacktoTravel. Begin a visual journey with us to Topsail Island, North Carolina.
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Topsail Island is a long barrier island off the North Carolina coast, nestled between the Crystal Coast and the Cape Fear region. The island comprises three communities and is celebrated for its wide, scenic beaches. © Patricia Shrout | Dreamstime.com -
Topsail Beach is one of the island’s three main communities. Local folklore ties the area to the 1700s, when pirate ships sailed these coastal waters. Today, the town is quiet and small, with a population under 1,000. © Vchac3 | Dreamstime.com
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Beach glass—often called “mermaid tears”—appears along the shores in shades of clear, brown, green and aquamarine. Look for it in tidal pools, near the piers and at the island tips for the best finds. © Terri Fugate | Dreamstime.com
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Topsail Island serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is home to a Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Visitors may learn about loggerhead, green, leatherback and Ridley sea turtles and the conservation work aimed at protecting them. © Marie-claire Lander | Dreamstime.com
