NEW QUAY GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
An Hour on Cardigan Bay: Private Dolphin Survey from New Quay
A private, one‑hour (or longer) charter from New Quay for up to 12 people to survey bottlenose dolphins, seals and other coastal wildlife with onboard experts and a hydrophone.
An Hour on Cardigan Bay: Private Dolphin Survey from New Quay.
From New Quay you can hire an entire boat for a focused, expert-led survey of Cardigan Bay’s coastal waters — a place visited by bottlenose dolphins, seals, porpoises and a rich seabird life. The operator runs spacious, licensed vessels and equips trips with an underwater microphone so guests can listen to dolphins when they are encountered.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Dolphins, seals and coastal sea life
The trip focuses on surveying the bottlenose dolphins of Cardigan Bay and watching the seals, porpoises and seabirds that frequent the coastline — encounters guided by on-board experts.
Two purpose-run vessels
Charters take place aboard one of two operator vessels — a stable catamaran (Anna Lloyd) or a research-proven single-hull boat (Sulaire) — both MCA-registered and equipped with passenger safety gear and a partly sheltered deck.
Hear marine life beneath the surface
Trips include use of an underwater microphone (hydrophone) so passengers can listen to dolphins when the animals are encountered, adding a sonic dimension to sightings.
What the day feels like
What the one‑hour charter feels like
The outing is a private, hour‑long (or longer, by arrangement) charter from New Quay: a compact, focused survey with room to move on deck, expert commentary and the chance to linger where marine life concentrates. The pace is flexible — hire the whole boat in hourly blocks — and the crew runs a safety briefing before departure.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this private charter suits — and where to be cautious.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Charters are offered in hourly blocks — the standard booking is one hour, and you may hire the boat for additional hourly periods if you wish.
Bring windproof layers, waterproofs and a camera; be prepared to wear a lifejacket if a dinghy transfer is required. The vessel has a partly sheltered deck and a toilet onboard.
A safety briefing is given before departure. If you have mobility needs or special requirements contact the operator in advance so they can advise and assist.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the private charter?
The basic booking is one hour, and you may hire the whole boat for additional hourly blocks — trips can be one hour or longer by arrangement.
How many people can I bring?
A maximum of 12 passengers per group are permitted; the trip is sold as a private charter for your family or friends.
Will we definitely see dolphins?
The tour surveys areas where bottlenose dolphins regularly visit, and trips are guided by experienced crew, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Is there an onboard toilet and shelter?
Both vessels are equipped with a part-sheltered deck and a toilet.
Do I need to wear a lifejacket?
You will be asked to wear a lifejacket during dinghy transfers to or from the boat when those transfers are required by the tide.
What if someone in our party has mobility issues?
The operator asks that you call ahead to discuss mobility or special requirements so they can help make the trip as comfortable as possible; a safety briefing is given to all passengers prior to departure.