Serenity Point

Description

Serenity Point, often called "the Point," is the undeveloped southern tip of Topsail Island, where the beach wraps around to New Topsail Inlet. The land is permanently protected as a coastal preserve of dunes, beach, tidal flats and salt marsh. The town's south-end sound-side lot is the access point and has restrooms and a pedestrian, canoe and kayak access to the water. Families come for long beach walks, fishing, shelling and birdwatching; larger whelks, olive shells and sand dollars turn up here, especially around low tide, and shorebirds such as willets, piping plovers, least terns and American oystercatchers feed and nest along the point. Sea turtles nest on the beach, so stay off the dunes, keep out of marked nesting areas, and fill in holes and knock down sand castles before leaving. Swimming in the inlet is dangerous because of strong, shifting currents, so keep children out of the water near the inlet. Walkers circling the point should set out a couple of hours before low tide to avoid being cut off by rising water. Parking is limited and first-come, first-served, with paid parking from March through October ($7 an hour up to four hours, or $35 a day), so arrive early on summer days. Overnight parking is not allowed.