New Quay
Cei Newydd
Dolphins from the harbour wall, and a Dylan Thomas past.
Photo: Ruth Sharville / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
New Quay is a stacked, whitewashed fishing town on Cardigan Bay, and the best place in Wales to see bottlenose dolphins — the bay holds the largest resident population in the UK, and they are regularly seen from the harbour wall. Dylan Thomas lived here, and the town is said to have inspired Under Milk Wood.
Staying near New Quay
The base for dolphin-watching and a classic small-scale seaside week, with sheltered beaches and boat trips from the quay.
What's here
Dolphin and wildlife boat trips from the harbour; the sheltered town beaches; the Dylan Thomas trail; and the coast path to the Ynys Lochtyn headland.
When to visit
April to September is the main dolphin season and the busiest time; the sightings are best on calm days.
See what's available in New Quay
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Common questions
Can you see dolphins at New Quay?
Yes — Cardigan Bay has the largest resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the UK, and New Quay is the best-known spot to see them, sometimes even from the harbour wall. Licensed boat trips from the harbour offer the highest chance of a close, responsible sighting, mainly from April to September.
What is New Quay's connection to Dylan Thomas?
Dylan Thomas lived in New Quay during the 1940s, and the town is widely thought to have helped inspire the fictional seaside village of Llareggub in Under Milk Wood. A local trail links places associated with the poet.