Cardigan Bay Dolphins

Cardigan Bay holds around two hundred and fifty resident bottlenose dolphins, the largest semi-resident population in Britain and one of only two in the country, protected by two special areas of conservation covering most of the bay. New Quay is the unusual part: the dolphins come inside the harbour and close to the pier regularly, so they can be watched from the harbour wall without a boat, which is rare anywhere. The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre on the harbour runs monitoring and posts recent sighting records. Boat operators work under an accreditation code that sets distances and prohibits chasing. Harbour porpoise, Atlantic grey seals and, less often, sunfish and minke whales are also seen. Sightings are best in calm conditions with little swell.

What you actually see

• The resident bottlenoses - around two hundred and fifty in the bay.
• The harbour wall watching - dolphins inside New Quay harbour, seen from land.
• The grey seals - hauled out along the cliffs and in coves.
• The accredited operators - boats working to a code that sets approach distances.

When to go

April to September, with July and August the peak for numbers and calves; calm mornings with flat water give by far the best chance. Winter sightings occur but boat trips largely stop.

Honest expectations

Dolphins are wild and sightings are never guaranteed, though rates are high in summer; operators do not usually refund a blank trip. Swell makes both spotting and the trip itself unpleasant. Swimming with or approaching the dolphins is prohibited.

Nearby

New Quay and Aberaeron are on the same coast; the Ceredigion coast path links them.