New Quay

Fishing boats bob in the harbour while bottlenose dolphins patrol just offshore. New Quay might look like any other Welsh coastal town at first glance, but its claim to fame runs deeper than most - this stretch of Cardigan Bay hosts one of the UK's most reliable dolphin populations.

The town slopes down to a proper working harbour, where Harbour Beach offers safe swimming when the weather behaves. New Quay Boat Trips and SeaMor Dolphin Watching run regular excursions into the bay, and your chances of spotting marine life are genuinely good rather than tour-guide optimistic. The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre explains what you're likely to see before you head out.

Beyond the harbour, the coastline gets properly wild. Dolau Beach stretches north, while Traeth y Quarry provides a quieter alternative for those who fancy a proper walk. New Quay Head offers cracking views back over the town and out across the Irish Sea - well worth the climb on a clear day.

Cardigan Bay Water Sports keeps the more energetic visitors happy with kayaking and paddleboarding, though the water stays bracingly Welsh even in summer. The old church of St Llwchaiarn sits quietly above the town if you need a breather from all the maritime activity.

Getting here means winding through proper Welsh countryside - it's about 20 minutes from the A487 and feels properly remote once you arrive. The nearest proper shopping is back in Aberaeron, a lovely 15-minute drive south. Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area makes perfect sense - you're close enough to nip into town for fish and chips but far enough out to hear the sea rather than traffic.