Things to do in Cardigan Bay

Beautiful Cardigan Bay in West Wales is a playground for those who like holiday adventures outdoors. Get your feet wet with water sports in Cardigan Bay, take a boat trip, explore the beaches, and delve into the history of this fascinating part of Wales.

There are plenty of things to do in Cardigan Bay, and one thing you can be sure of is that you'll never be far from tempting eateries. Ceredigion and Cardigan Bay offer a host of experiences to suit all visitors, with fresh coastal air and glorious scenery being the icing on the cake.

Read on for holiday inspiration for your trip to this inspiring part of Wales and discover all the best things to do in Cardigan Bay.

Cardigan Bay holiday cottages

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Best for ocean lovers: Cardigan Bay boat trips

There are a host of companies offering boat trips in Cardigan Bay; hop on board to get closer to some of the majestic sea creatures that occupy the waters off this coast. Dolphin sightings are common, and other animals you might hope to spot are whales, seals, and a variety of seabirds. Besides the companies listed below, you may also like to check out New Quay Boat Trips and SeaMor Dolphin Watching.

A Bay to Remember

A family-run business, A Bay to Remember has two boats which head out on exhilarating wildlife spotting trips in the bay, including exploring some caves if the conditions are right. The tours are very popular in summer, so don’t forget to book in advance.

The bay is home to around 300 bottlenose dolphins, so if you're going to spot them anywhere, your chances are good here. The tours are run by knowledgeable guides, offering an amazing experience to get up close to nature and observe these incredible animals frolicking in their own environment.

Dolphin Survey Boat Trips

Dolphin Survey Boat Trips offer tours in Cardigan Bay with the feel-good factor of knowing you're supporting the research of Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre. As outdoor activities go, few are more thrilling and educational than heading out to observe dolphins in their natural habitat.

With small groups of up to 12, and plenty of room in the boat to move around and get the best view, it's not surprising that the family-run business has been operating successful tours from New Quay for the past 30 years. The team also has underwater microphones on board so you can listen to the dolphins you encounter.

Best for thrill-seekers: Water sports in Cardigan Bay

There are numerous water sports to enjoy in Cardigan Bay, from gliding around sedately on a paddleboard, to plummeting into the sea from dizzying clifftops while coasteering. Thankfully, there are lots of experienced companies to choose from to ensure that your adventures in the sea are safe and well-equipped.

Cardigan Bay Active

Cardigan Bay Active offers outdoor pursuits for all ages and levels of experience. Combining thrilling activities with sightseeing, they'll help you make the most of your stay in Cardigan Bay and enjoy it from a new perspective.

Coasteering, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, whitewater rafting, and surfing are among some of the water-based activities on the menu, while land-based adventures include bushcraft, climbing, archery, and axe throwing.

Cardigan Bay Water Sports

Boldly claiming that everything is better on the water, Cardigan Bay Water Sports makes it their mission to prove this to you through exciting activities in and on the ocean. Choose from sailing, paddleboarding, sea kayaking, windsurfing, wing surfing, powerboating, waterskiing, and wakeboarding.

With equipment hire and RYA-certified courses from highly qualified instructors, you can choose your level of investment in your chosen sport. Cardigan Bay Water Sports is a registered charity, promoting outdoor lifestyles and encouraging all people to get out on the water.

Best for relaxing in the sun: Cardigan Bay beaches

In Cardigan Bay, you'll find a beautiful beach around every corner; this idyllic coastal region of Mid Wales has more than its fair share of seaside paradises. From sheltered coves to vast expanses of golden sand, and family-friendly beaches to surfer's havens, Cardigan Bay's beach offering is varied and enticing. Here are just a few of the top coastal spots; you can discover more beaches across Wales here.

New Quay Beaches

Not one, but three beaches grace the coast of New Quay, with Harbour Beach being a favourite for families. It's the picture of paradise, with boats bobbing in the azure water, and fine golden sand inviting you to pitch up for a day of ice creams, sunbathing and sea swimming.

New Quay's larger beach, Traeth Gwyn, is dog-friendly year-round, making it a hot spot for dog walking, offering a lovely long stroll from the lifeboat station to Llaina Point. Dolau is a smaller, dog-friendly beach, tucked away and flanked by rocks to the west of the pier.

Mwnt Beach

Off-the-beaten track, this gorgeous golden cove is reached via a drive down country roads – a journey that families are happy to take in the summer months, for a day out in the sheltered bay. Seals breed here from August to December, and dolphins can often be spotted leaping and diving off the coast.

While here, earn yourself an ice cream from the seasonal beachside kiosk with a walk up Foel y Mwnt hill, which offers a panoramic view over the bay. You may even see Snowdonia/Eryri rising up in the distance.

Aberystwyth Beaches

The bustling town of Aberystwyth is blessed with plenty of things to do, not least two fabulous beaches that tempt you to while away your time on the sand and in the sea. Backed by the elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings of Marine Terrace, North Beach offers a range of traditional delights including a bandstand, pier and seasonal donkey rides and family attractions.

South Beach, bordering Aberystwyth Castle, is on the quieter side of town and stretches down to the lifeboat station by the harbour breakwater. Just a short walk from the town amenities, it's a lovely spot for an out-of-season dog walk, or family day on the beach.

Aberystwyth holiday cottages

Best for history enthusiasts: Castles of Cardigan Bay

Occupying prominent points along the coast of Cardigan Bay, and inland, are a plethora of fortifications in varying states of preservation. Take time to explore and learn more about the role Cardigan Bay played in history.

Cardigan Castle

Visit Cardigan Castle and you can also enjoy a look around a Georgian mansion and the Grade II-listed gardens which boast a range of rare plant species. Discover the remains of the medieval castle itself and learn about its history from knowledgeable tour guides.

If you're looking for Cardigan Bay attractions where you can leave feeling more educated than you arrived, look no further than Cardigan Castle. With interactive digital exhibitions aiming to entertain and enlighten visitors, it's a captivating place to explore.

Cardigan holiday cottages

Aberystwyth Castle

Aberystwyth Castle is hard to miss when you're visiting the town. It perches on a pointy elbow of land next to South Beach, from where you can admire splendid panoramic views and wonder at the atmospheric remains of the towers and curtain wall.

The castle was built in a concentric design by King Edward I of England in the late 13th century. It was integral to his plan to conquer Wales. Nowadays it is managed by Cadw, and while the echoes of its past may haunt its tumbling walls, it's a lovely spot for a picnic on a sunny day.

Cilgerran Castle

Cilgerran Castle is a wonderfully preserved fortification and is one of the best attractions near Cardigan Bay. Two vast towers loom over the River Teifi, an understandably terrifying prospect for invaders of the past.

The site of the present castle was once the location of another castle, built by Gerald de Windsor for his wife, Nest, who despite her husband's grand display of affection, went on to become the mistress to men including King Henry I. It's a fascinating site with an equally scintillating history.

Best for families: Attractions in Cardigan Bay

A family holiday in Cardigan Bay is sure to be full of beach days and plenty of outdoor fun, and there are numerous fabulous attractions to jazz up your itinerary and help you make special memories. The following things to do in Cardigan Bay for families are top choices if you have little people in tow.

Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park

Not many family attractions in Cardigan Bay can claim such an incredible view as Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park. Situated overlooking the Teifi Estuary and Cardigan Island, it’s a lovely setting in which to get to know some friendly farm animals and spot seals and dolphins from the fenced clifftop walk.

Indoor and outdoor play areas promise hours of fun for active kids, and a little respite for parents who can enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat from the cafe.

Vale of Rheidol Railway

Enjoy a nostalgic journey on board a steam train on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, chuffing through the leafy scenery of the Rheidol Valley to the enchanting Devil’s Bridge. Here, the 300-foot Mynach Waterfalls (charged separately) are spectacular to behold. Take a walk along the nature trail and enjoy refreshments in the cafe before hopping back on the train to return to Aberystwyth.

The narrow-gauge railway was opened in 1902, transporting passengers, iron ore from local lead mines, and timber. The locomotives operating on the line today were built between 1923 and 1938, and the railway is now owned by a charitable trust, along with the onsite museum, keeping history alive for modern visitors.

Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum

Housed in an Edwardian theatre near the seafront in Aberystwyth, the Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum is a great indoor attraction if you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day in Cardigan Bay. Interesting exhibitions showcase the history, culture and art of Ceredigion, and workshops and music events throughout the year make it a vibrant hub for entertainment.

Children will love looking at all the different items and interesting displays. A cafe and shop tempt you to linger a little longer and indulge in some freshly baked treats or pick up a souvenir to take home.

Best for ramblers: Cardigan Bay walks

Pull on your walking boots and put your best foot forward, because Cardigan Bay is awash with beautiful landscapes to explore on foot. There are coastal rambles aplenty, taking in charming seaside towns and peaceful scenery, as well as countryside routes through the bucolic scenery of Mid Wales. Below are a few Cardigan Bay walks to pique your interest.

Welsh Wildlife Centre and Teifi Marshes

Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve is teeming with wildlife, including kingfishers and otters. Enjoy walks around the site, spotting as many species as possible in the open pasture, hedgerows, marsh, reedbeds and mudbanks.

The Welsh Wildlife Centre is a fantastic Cardigan Bay attraction, perfect for families, with areas to learn through play; an interpretation centre; wildlife films and a gift shop. The cafe, with views of the Teifi Marsh Nature Reserve, is a great place to refuel before or after a walk.

New Quay to Aberaeron

Poet and writer Dylan Thomas used to enjoy a part of this route from Newquay to Aberaeron, and with spectacular views of the beach, Llanina Point, and pebble coves between towering rocks, it wouldn't be a surprise if you felt moved to write yourself.

There's a lot of interest en route, with small waterfalls plummeting from craggy cliffs, the little stone church of Llanina, and some lovely panoramas, with the promise of a nice cup of tea in a cafe upon reaching Aberaeron.

Stay nearby in one of our holiday cottages in New Quay or Aberaeron. 

Llanerchaeron to Aberaeron circular

The National Trust's Llanerchaeron is an elegant Georgian Villa, with beautiful grounds that are worth exploring before your walk, or after, to indulge in coffee and cake from the cafe.

The walk from Lanerchaeron to Aberaeron is along footpaths and quiet lanes through verdant countryside, curving back in the outskirts of Aberaeron to join the River Aeron for a stretch on the return leg.

Best for foodies: Restaurants and pubs in Cardigan Bay

There is no end of pubs and restaurants in Cardigan Bay; we'd defy you to manage a meal at all of them even if you ate out for every meal for a month! We've picked out a few of the best to feature here, but make sure you check out local reviews and consult the information pack in your holiday cottage for the best choices nearby.

Yr Hen Printworks

Yr Hen Printworks is a Michelin-accredited Bib Gourmand restaurant housed in the town of Cardigan's Old Hope Chapel. It only takes a glance at their website to get the mouth watering; the menu includes impeccably cooked and delightfully presented meals to give you the real flavour of Cardigan.

Small dishes created from the best local ingredients invite you to try an array of food, tapas-style, in a beautiful, warm and welcoming setting.

Ynyshir

With two Michelin stars to its name, Ynyshir is a top-notch restaurant in Machynlleth, 10 miles inland, up the River Dyfi. Chef Gareth Ward delivers an out-of-this-world gastronomic experience, inspired by Asian flavours and using Japanese produce and local shellfish.

Dining here is unique – a tasting experience takes place over four to five hours, with a set menu of dishes being brought out in sequence. Tantalising the taste buds, the food is beyond compare, and your time here is sure to be the highlight of your holiday.

Y Seler

A stunning restaurant in a beautiful riverside location in Aberaeron, Y Seler promises a fabulous fine-dining experience, serving fresh, seasonal and locally sourced produce where possible.

Join them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner; sit out on the terrace on a balmy summer evening to tuck into a tapas selection, or fill up with a hearty meal from the bar menu. Y Seler also opens for Sunday lunch, meaning you could cover every meal of the week here if you wished (you're sure to be tempted)!

Map of things to do in Cardigan Bay

Discover all of the above things to do in Cardigan Bay on our handy map.

Stay with us in Cardigan Bay

Studded throughout Cardigan Bay, on the coast and in the countryside of Ceredigion and West Wales, are an array of beautiful holiday cottages waiting for you to call them home for a few days or weeks. There are pretty, boutique houses, perfect for romantic trips away, dog-friendly abodes with dreamy gardens, and spectacular large properties for special occasions.

Wherever you choose, you won't be far from the attractions in Cardigan Bay, and within reach of wonderful eateries, independent shops, sites of historic interest and exciting family days out. Take a look at our collection of cottages in Cardigan Bay today. Or for more holiday inspiration, browse our article on things to do in Wales.

Cottages in Cardigan Bay