Harbour Beach

Rocky outcrops frame this small sandy cove that sits right in the heart of New Quay's working harbour. The beach itself is compact but perfectly formed, with golden sand that's ideal for families with young children - the surrounding breakwaters keep the water relatively calm and safe for splashing about.

Dolphins are the real draw here. New Quay Bay is one of the best spots in Wales for spotting bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises, and you'll often see them from the beach itself. The local boat trips depart from the harbour wall just steps away if you fancy a closer look.

Families staying at nearby parks like Haven Quay West or Ocean Heights will find this beach proper convenient - it's walkable from most of the holiday parks scattered around New Quay. The beach gets busy in summer, mind, so arrive early if you want a decent spot on the sand.

Parking can be a right pain during peak season, with the small harbour car park filling up fast. Better to walk down from your holiday park if possible. There's a lovely ice cream shop and a few cafes along the harbour front, plus public loos that are actually kept quite clean.

It's not the most spectacular beach on the Ceredigion coast, but for a quick family day out with proper facilities nearby, Harbour Beach does the job nicely.