New Quay in Ceredigion has been named the number one coastal town in Britain in Holiday Cars' guide to the 20 best coastal towns in the UK, according to travel specialists at Ski Vertigo. The recognition is a guide ranking rather than an official national tourism award, but it highlights where holidays are happening and helps guide tourists on their next trip to Wales.
The town is small in size but offers a wealth of wildlife and nature, with a harbour full of aquatic animals and ideal for fishing. It provides views across the water to Cardigan Bay and has its own beach, known as Harbour Beach, which is the most popular spot for visitors.
Three beaches with different experiences
All three of New Quay's beaches offer a different type of day out, depending on what experience visitors prefer. Harbour Beach is the natural family choice, as an easy-to-get-to sun spot sheltered by the harbour. The sand there is soft and inviting and maintains a safe swimming area, ideal for families.
Traeth Gwyn is a much wilder stretch of sand towards Llanina Point, making it a peaceful spot for long walks or dog walking. However, visitors should check the tide beforehand, as many parts can become cut off by differing tide times. One traveller recently shared on TripAdvisor: "Spent most days on this beach and New Quay Beach. Beautiful area and lovely views of the coastline. Accessed from Quay West lovely walk on the beach into New Quay as long as the tide is out."
Cei Bach is a calming cove with a coastal path running right above it, made up of sand, pebbles, and rock pools. If sunbathing or swimming isn't your thing, the town acts as an excellent base for exploring the Wales Coast Path, which covers the village in a circular 5km route. There is also the option to take on a further 3km extension from Llanina Point, and the town acts as the midway point for a longer trail for further coastal exploration.
Wildlife and dolphin spotting
At the heart of the town is its wildlife offering, and this area of the coast is renowned for its bottlenose dolphin population, which visit New Quay harbour regularly. Visitors have higher chances of seeing the creatures between April and November, and there are a number of boat trips operating from the town that heighten the chances.
These excursions offer the chance to see porpoises, Atlantic grey seals, seabirds, sunfish, basking sharks and leatherback turtles, although operators stress that sightings are never guaranteed. One tourist who took part in New Quay Boat Trips shared: "What a fantastic experience! You’re always sceptical when these opportunities arise, like a boat trip to see dolphins. Nature can’t be cajoled into performing for the tourists, but alas, I am happy to be wrong. Not only were we greeted with the most beautiful turquoise waters, but within 2 minutes of setting off, we were alerted to dolphins having been spotted in the harbour. No sooner had the engine been cut when we saw the distinct shapes of dorsal fins as two dipped down into the water."
Away from the sea, families can visit New Quay Honey Farm, which often offers glimpses of the honey-making process and seeing the bees at work. Alex Dyer, Managing Director at Ski Vertigo, explained: "A destination becomes much easier to recommend when the same base can give a family a sheltered beach, a couple a wildlife trip or sunset walk, and a short-break visitor a compact harbour and food scene. New Quay has that flexibility, but anyone booking in peak season should check parking, tide times, beach access, seasonal dog rules and whether boat trips are running, because wildlife sightings are never guaranteed."
