Focus for marine research

The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) in New Quay has a really informative visitor centre where you can find out more about the creatures that live in the bay – and you can take a trip in a survey boat to see dolphins and other species. 

Based in a heritage building in the heart of New Quay, overlooking the beautiful beach and harbour, the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is the focus for marine research in the area and works in conjunction with Dolphin Survey Boat Trips to collect data on the bottlenose dolphins and other marine mammals.

The CBMWC is part of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and delivers much of the Trust’s Living Seas programme of work. Many of Cardigan Bay’s habitats and wildlife are of national and international importance. This was one of the first stretches of coastline in Britain designated as Marine Heritage Coast.

Some of the largest bottlenose dolphins live around the United Kingdom. There are two main semi-resident populations in the UK, one in the Moray Firth, Scotland, the other larger one, right here in Cardigan Bay.

Bottlenose dolphins are sociable animals that live in groups called pods. The size of the pod can vary from several to over one hundred. This happens when several smaller pods join together to feed on an abundant food source or to socialise.

Dolphins like to surf in the bow wave in front of moving boats. They are frequently seen tail slapping and leaping several metres out of the water.  

Did you know that grey seals are mammals and are closely related to bears? They are usually seen individually in the water or in small groups on beaches, where they rest, breed and moult.

You can join a guided boat trip for two, four or eight hours with the experts from the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre to see bottlenose dolphins, porpoises, seals and birds.

Your dolphin watching trip with Dolphin Survey Boat Trips helps support a local eco-tourism business and the research of the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, as each trip carries a volunteer researcher from CBMWC. 

Trips run daily, weather permitting, from Easter until the end of October. Please call 01545 560 032 for more information.

For more information click here.

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