2025 season now open — Daily departures from New Quay Harbour, spring through to autumn. Book early to secure your place.

New Quay • Ceredigion • Wales

Wild Dolphins in
Cardigan Bay

Board a dedicated wildlife vessel from New Quay Harbour and head into one of Europe's most important marine habitats. Bottlenose dolphins, grey seals, and seabirds await on every trip.

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95% Dolphin sighting rate
250+ Local bottlenose dolphins
1–2 Hour trip durations
SAC Special Area of Conservation
20+ Years on
the water
About Us

New Quay's Premier Wildlife Boat Experience

Based in the picturesque harbour village of New Quay on the Ceredigion Heritage Coast, we have been running wildlife boat trips into Cardigan Bay for over two decades. Our experienced crew and purpose-built vessels give you the safest, closest encounter with Wales's most iconic marine residents.

Cardigan Bay is home to one of only two resident populations of bottlenose dolphins in the whole of the United Kingdom. These are not migratory visitors — they live here year-round, and our crew know many of them individually. Come and meet them on their own terms, in their own home.

Safety First
Fully licensed, MCA-coded vessels with trained crew
Daily Departures
Multiple trips per day, spring through autumn
Family Friendly
Suitable for children of all ages, great for families
Expert Guides
Marine biologists and wildlife specialists on board
What We Offer

Choose Your Adventure

From a short introduction to Cardigan Bay's wildlife to a full exploration of the bay's most productive waters, there is a trip to suit every visitor and every schedule.

1 Hour

Bay Discovery Trip

Perfect for first-time visitors and families with young children. A gentle introduction to Cardigan Bay's resident dolphins and coastal wildlife, departing directly from New Quay Harbour.

Duration: approximately 1 hour
Maximum 12 passengers per trip
Covered seating available
Departs New Quay Harbour
£22 adults £14 children (3–12)
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Most Popular
1.5 Hours

Dolphin Safari

Our signature trip. Head into the heart of Cardigan Bay aboard our purpose-built wildlife vessel, with a trained marine guide providing expert commentary on the bay's dolphins, seals, and seabirds throughout.

Duration: approximately 1.5 hours
Maximum 10 passengers per trip
Marine biologist guide included
Underwater hydrophone on board
£34 adults £22 children (3–12)
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2 Hours

Full Bay Wildlife Cruise

The ultimate Cardigan Bay experience. A full two-hour voyage taking in dolphin hotspots, grey seal colonies, seabird nesting cliffs, and the stunning Ceredigion coastline from the water.

Duration: approximately 2 hours
Maximum 10 passengers per trip
Includes seal colony visit
Binoculars provided on board
£45 adults £28 children (3–12)
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Private Charters Available
Have the whole boat to yourselves. Ideal for birthdays, corporate outings, schools, and photography groups. Bespoke itineraries to suit your requirements.
Enquire About Charters
Marine Life

Who You Might Meet

Cardigan Bay is one of the most biodiverse stretches of coastal water in Britain. As a designated Special Area of Conservation, it is protected precisely because of the extraordinary wildlife that calls it home.

Our resident bottlenose dolphin population is one of only two in the UK. Unlike many wildlife encounters elsewhere, these animals are truly wild — they choose to interact with our boats on their own terms, which makes every sighting completely authentic and genuinely memorable.

Grey seals haul out on rocky outcrops along the coast throughout the year, and the cliffs above New Quay support breeding colonies of guillemots, razorbills, and the occasional puffin during spring and early summer.

Best Times to Visit

April – June
Dolphin calves born. Seabird breeding season. Puffins present. Quieter seas.
July – August
Peak dolphin activity. Warm water. Longest days. Book well in advance.
September – October
Dolphins feeding heavily. Grey seal pups. Spectacular autumn light. Fewer crowds.
Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus

The star of Cardigan Bay. Over 250 individuals reside here permanently, making this one of the most important populations in Britain. Highly acrobatic and frequently curious about boats.

Sighting likelihood
Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus

Britain's largest native land predator. Grey seals haul out on exposed rocky ledges along the Ceredigion coast, often in groups of a dozen or more. Pups are born in late autumn.

Sighting likelihood
Seabirds
Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet & more

New Quay Head hosts breeding guillemots and razorbills in spring. Gannets dive offshore throughout summer. Shags, cormorants, and various gulls are present year-round.

Sighting likelihood
Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis

Occasional summer visitors to the outer bay. When common dolphins appear they often arrive in groups of 50 or more, creating spectacular bow-riding displays. A special sighting whenever they appear.

Sighting likelihood
Harbour Porpoise
Phocoena phocoena

Britain's smallest cetacean and a year-round resident of inshore Welsh waters. Shy and fast-moving, but our experienced crew know where to look. A delightful sighting for keen wildlife watchers.

Sighting likelihood
Ocean Sunfish
Mola mola

The world's largest bony fish sometimes visits warmer summer waters. These remarkable animals can weigh over a tonne. Often seen basking on the surface in calm conditions from July onwards.

Sighting likelihood
The Bay

Cardigan Bay: A Marine Heritage Coast

Stretching 100 miles along the western coast of Wales, Cardigan Bay is the largest bay in Britain and one of the most ecologically significant stretches of inshore water in Europe.

Designated a Special Area of Conservation under European legislation, the bay's shallow, sheltered waters create a productive ecosystem that supports an extraordinary diversity of marine life. The cold, nutrient-rich Atlantic currents that sweep in from the south-west provide a constant food supply for the species that live here.

New Quay itself sits at the northern end of the Ceredigion Heritage Coast, a 22-mile stretch of outstanding natural beauty where the mountains of Snowdonia meet the sea. The harbour village has been a centre for fishing and maritime activity for centuries, and today it serves as one of the best places in the whole of the UK to watch wild dolphins from the shore or from the water.

We operate within the WiSe (Wildlife Safe) accreditation scheme, which sets strict guidelines for responsible wildlife watching around cetaceans. Our skippers are trained to approach dolphins in a way that minimises disturbance and ensures the long-term wellbeing of the population.

100mi
Britain's Largest Bay
Cardigan Bay covers 100 miles of Welsh coastline, making it the largest bay in the United Kingdom and a landmark of national significance.
SAC
Special Area of Conservation
Protected at the highest European level specifically for its bottlenose dolphin population and rare submerged sandbank habitats.
250+
Resident Dolphins
The New Quay research programme has photo-identified over 250 individual dolphins. Many have been monitored for more than 30 years.
WiSe
Accredited Operator
We hold full WiSe accreditation, guaranteeing that our dolphin watching activities follow the most rigorous welfare standards available.
22mi
Ceredigion Heritage Coast
22 miles of protected coastline stretching south from New Quay, home to cliff-nesting seabirds, grey seal colonies, and dramatic sea-carved geology.
What Visitors Say

Memories Made on the Water

"Absolutely incredible. We had a pod of about fifteen dolphins swim right alongside the boat for nearly twenty minutes. The guide knew every one of them by name. My children still talk about it two years later."

Sarah M.
Family trip • Cardiff

"I have been on whale-watching trips all over the world. This was different. The closeness of the dolphins, the knowledge of the crew, and the dramatic Welsh coast in the background made it utterly special. Highly recommended."

David K.
Solo traveller • Edinburgh

"Booked the full two-hour cruise for our anniversary. We saw dolphins, a colony of grey seals, gannets diving, and the most beautiful coastline imaginable. The crew were warm, professional and incredibly knowledgeable. Perfect day."

Rachel & Tom W.
Couple • Bristol
Plan Your Visit

Everything You Need to Know

Getting the most from your trip takes a little planning. Here is everything you need before you arrive at the harbour.

Departure Schedule

Morning departures 09:00 & 11:00
Afternoon departures 13:30 & 15:30
Evening departure (summer) 18:00
Season April – October
Meet at harbour 20 mins before

What to Bring

  • Warm, windproof layer — it is always cooler on the water
  • Waterproof jacket, even in summer
  • Non-slip, flat-soled footwear (no heels)
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses on bright days
  • Camera with a good zoom lens
  • Binoculars if you have them (we carry spares)
  • Seasickness medication if prone (take before boarding)

Age & Accessibility

  • Children aged 3 and over are welcome on all trips
  • Under-3s travel free on the Bay Discovery Trip only
  • Life jackets provided for all ages and sizes
  • Pregnant guests should consult their midwife first
  • Limited mobility: please contact us before booking
  • Dogs are not permitted on trips for wildlife welfare reasons
  • Maximum weight limit: 130kg per passenger

Getting Here

  • New Quay is located on the A487 in Ceredigion, West Wales
  • From Aberystwyth: 30 minutes south on the A487
  • From Cardigan: 40 minutes north on the A487
  • Car parking available at South Beach car park (200m from harbour)
  • Narrow village roads — follow signs to the harbour
  • TrawsCymru bus service T1 stops in New Quay
  • No nearby railway station — car or bus recommended

Weather & Cancellations

  • Trips run in all but the most severe weather conditions
  • We monitor forecasts daily and contact you if a trip is cancelled
  • Full refund or rescheduling offered for operator cancellations
  • We recommend booking flexible accommodation for short stays
  • Trips may be shortened in deteriorating conditions for safety
  • Expect some movement — the bay can be choppy even in summer

Booking & Payment

  • Book online via the form below or call us directly
  • Payment taken in full at time of booking
  • We accept all major credit and debit cards
  • Group discounts available for 8 or more passengers
  • Gift vouchers available — ideal for birthdays and anniversaries
  • Cancellation by guest: 48 hours notice for full refund
Reserve Your Place

Ready to Meet the Dolphins?

Places are limited on every trip to ensure a personal, unhurried experience. Book early, particularly for summer departures and the popular Dolphin Safari.

Call to Book Send an Enquiry
WiSe Accredited Operator
Free cancellation 48hrs prior
Daily departures April–October
Family friendly — children welcome
Get in Touch

Find Us at New Quay Harbour

Our friendly team is on hand to help with bookings, trip advice, and any questions about what to expect on the water.

Telephone
01545 560 800
Available 08:30–18:00, seven days a week during season
Email
hello@newquayboattrips.co.uk
We reply to all enquiries within one working day
Location
New Quay Harbour, New Quay
Ceredigion, SA45 9NZ — look for the blue and white kiosk
Office Hours
Daily 08:30 – 18:00
April through October. Winter enquiries by email only.

Send Us an Enquiry

New Quay Harbour

New Quay, Ceredigion SA45 9NZ — West Wales