Dolphins off the Welsh coast
Cardigan Bay is home to the largest resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the UK. Around 300 dolphins live in these waters year-round, and summer is the best time to see them. New Quay on the Ceredigion coast is the best place in mainland Britain to watch dolphins from the shore.
The dolphins feed close to the coast, especially around New Quay harbour and the headland at Ynys Lochtyn near Llangrannog. On a calm day between June and September, you have a good chance of seeing them from the harbour wall or the coastal path. They are often visible from the beach, surfacing and sometimes leaping clear of the water.
Boat trips
Several operators run dolphin-watching boat trips from New Quay harbour. Trips typically last one to two hours and go along the coast towards Aberaeron or south towards Cwmtydu. The boats stay at a respectful distance from the animals, following a marine code of conduct, but dolphins are curious and often approach boats on their own terms.
You might also see grey seals, harbour porpoises and seabirds including razorbills, guillemots and the occasional gannet. The coastline from the water is worth seeing in its own right, with cliffs, caves and beaches that are not accessible by land.
Where to watch from the shore
The pier and harbour wall at New Quay are the most reliable spots. The headland path from New Quay to Bird Rock gives elevated views over the bay. Aberaeron harbour is another good spot, and the clifftop path near Llangrannog offers views across to Ynys Lochtyn where dolphins often feed.
The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre on the quay at New Quay has information about the dolphins and the wider bay ecosystem, and volunteers can point you towards recent sightings.
When to go
June to September is the main season, with July and August the peak months. Early morning and late afternoon tend to be the best times, when the sea is calmer and the dolphins are feeding. But they are wild animals, and sightings are never guaranteed. That said, if you spend a morning on the harbour wall at New Quay in summer, the odds are firmly in your favour.
Cardigan Bay is a Special Area of Conservation, designated specifically for its dolphins. Seeing them here, in clean water off a working Welsh fishing town, is one of the best wildlife experiences in Britain.
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
