Wales is home to the UK's biggest resident population of dolphins and with so many coastal towns and villages there are plenty of sightseeing locations ideal for catching a glimpse.
It's not only dolphins that frequent Welsh waters either with Porpoises, Orcas and even Humpback Whales spotted from time to time.
But being in the right place at the right time to make sure you see one of these beautiful creatures can be tricky.
Visit Wales has you covered. They have come up with a list of the best places to see dolphins, porpoises and the slightly rarer whales and orcas.
Best places to see dolphins in Wales
Britain’s biggest resident population of dolphins lives in Cardigan Bay, according to Visit Wales.
You can spot bottlenose dolphins all year round of the Welsh coastline, but in the summer months, you are almost a "near-certainty" to spot one.
The Visit Wales website says: "You can see our bottlenose dolphins all year round, but depending on where and when you go, you can raise your chances of spotting them to a near-certainty.
"Summer months are best, with New Quay being the hottest spot.
"Boat trips can take you to Aberporth, Mwnt, Cardigan Island and Cemaes Head and you've a good chance of seeing dolphins."
While there are a number of paid tours you can take that can give you a closer look at the sea creatures, these are the best spots for sightseeing on dry land, that won't cost you a penny.
Pembrokeshire
Cemaes Head
Visit Wales said: "Its sloping cliff-top nature reserve offers great views across the bay to Cardigan Island (another nature reserve) and the seas in between, which are frequented by seals and cetaceans."
Dinas Head
This is the highest point along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, which means plenty of sea to scan for dorsal fins and blowholes.
Visit Wales adds: "There’s a lovely circular walk around the headland between Cwm-yr-Eglwys and Pwllgwaelod (where there’s a good shabby-chic pub-restaurant), which cuts back through woods to your starting point."
Strumble Head
Strumble Head is one of Britain’s very best sea-watching spots.
Visit Wales said: "The Cardigan Bay dolphins rarely come this far south, but it’s a great spot for porpoises, and mothers with calves are seen all year round.
"You may also see Risso’s and common dolphins, and if you’re lucky, basking sharks, orca and sunfish. Fin, humpback and minke whale have all been recorded, too."
Enjoy a glimpse of one of our luckier trips of the last few days where dolphins came over to the boat. If you are thinking of a boat trip this week, you need to come today. Next week the wind looks too strong. #ceredigion #westwales #newquaywales #cardiganbay #discoverceredigion pic.twitter.com/MWCmByYEiA
— New Quay Boat Trips (@DolphinSpotting) September 25, 2022
Mid-Wales
Aberystwyth
According to Visit Wales, early summer is the best time to spot dolphins in Aberystwyth, "as they head south to their New Quay summer residence".
Aberaeron
Visit Wales said: "There are wildlife boat trips from Aberaeron’s pretty harbour, or you could just buy a honey ice cream, sit on the harbour wall and take your chances."
New Quay
Visit Wales descrobes New Quay as "dolphin central", where you’re "almost guaranteed to spot a dolphin from the harbour wall" during the summer.
They added: "To increase your chances even further, take one of the daily charter boats out into Cardigan Bay."
For those interested in learning more about dolphins, porpoises, whales and other marine wildlife you can stop in at the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre - which is also free.
Ynys Lochtyn
Walk to the end of the splendid Ynys Lochtyn promontory for a "good chance" of seeing dolphins and porpoises (and peregrines).
Aberporth
The section of coast path heading north from Aberporth is wheelchair-friendly, so it’s a good all-access dolphin-spotting vantage point.
Mwnt
Mwnt, Visit Wales says is a "delightful hidden cove" with a "postcard-perfect beach".
If you head up the hillock that rises above it you have a brilliant place for families to sit and watch the dolphins, seals and porpoises swim by.
Cardigan Island
Cardigan Island is owned by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and is just 200 metres from the coast at Gwbert.
Visit Wales said: "It (Cardigan Island) is a favourite spot for dolphins as well as nesting sea birds in the spring, early summer and seals all year round."
Access to the island is limited. But the Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park overlooks the island and you can see dolphins and seals from the headland.
Best places to see porpoises, whales and orcas in Wales
While dolphins frequent Welsh waters, there is other sea wildlife you might be able to spot if you are lucky.
Their dolphin's smaller cousins, harbour porpoises, can be seen around most of the Welsh coast, as well as the dolphin hotspots listed above.
Visit Wales adds: "You can often see porpoises off the coast of Gower, the Pembrokeshire islands, and in the seas off Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula."
If you're lucky you might be able to catch a glimpse of orcas, basking sharks and/or humpback and minke whales.
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