2025 sees us celebrating our
70th year on the water!
about us
As one of the first passenger boat operators in Ceredigion, we were looked upon as pioneers when we welcomed customers on board 70 years ago.
We are still very much a family-run business and throughout those decades our passengers have been returning time and again to spot Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic Grey seals, Harbour porpoises and an array of marine sea life that Cardigan Bay is famous for.
These days our customers are spoilt for choice when it comes to the number of different excursions available and the choice of boats we offer.
our history
Way back in the summer of 1955, Winston Evans, along with his father Arden, who were both fishermen by trade, welcomed their first passengers aboard their boat Ynys Enlli. Winston and his brother Idris took over the family fishing business when their father passed away in 1958 and then a few years later Idris left to pursue a different career.
Winston then took it on board himself to continue the family tradition of making a living from the sea. With an unyielding work ethic and a love for the sea, Winston would head out on his boat at dawn to make his living from fishing before returning to New Quay harbour to offload his catch and then take passengers out on angling and sightseeing trips around Cardigan Bay.
Combining both jobs was physically demanding but Winston had the foresight to realise there was an opportunity to run passenger boat trips throughout the summer season. This was the beginning of Winston steering the family business towards the summer tourism market while he continued to fish late into his seventies.
The boats used in those early years such as the Dunbar Castle were built from wood but when Dunbar Castle II was commissioned in the 1970’s it was Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) that was chosen for the construction material for its durability and low maintenance.
Winston’s son, Jonathan returned to New Quay in 2012 to help his father navigate the business through a challenging period and has been instrumental in its continued success.
These days Jonathan helms the Suncatcher and navigates the company onwards to its next chapter, ably supported by a loyal and dedicated team and his fiancée Gosia, who ensures the smooth day-to-day running of the business.
Winston’s passion for the sea and in particular Cardigan Bay is shared by all who work for New Quay Boat Trips.
Loyal customers often comment that they still get the warm welcoming service they did years ago, with the only difference being a greater choice of excursions and boats available.
meet our team
Many of the team have worked for the company for a long time and they don’t look at it as a job, more as a way of life and are like an extended family with a shared identity rather than employees.
This enables them to consistently deliver a professional and friendly service that family businesses excel at and has led to earning an excellent reputation for customer service, safety, reliability and an unrivalled passenger experience in a competitive market.
Take a look at the photos in the gallery to find out more about our amazing team members and then you will know who to say hello to next time you come on a trip!
awards & recognitions
We strive to provide customers with the ultimate experience and in recognition of this we have been awarded the prestigious Visit Wales Gold Award in 2024 and 2025 as a quality assured attraction, making us the only boat operator in Cardigan Bay to achieve such acclaimed status.
Being acknowledged for our achievements by Visit Wales is fantastic and is something that we are proud of, but our customers mean more to us than winning awards. That is why we take on board what customers think of us when they share their experiences on platforms such as Tripadvisor. We are Top-Rated on Tripadvisor and have attained their Travellers’ Choice Award every year since 2013 (previously titled a Certificate of Excellence), putting us in the top 10% of attractions on Tripadvisor.
We are also proud to be the Recommended Boat Operator (RBO) for the Sea Watch Foundation. This is a national charity that works to improve the conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises in British and Irish waters. The welfare of dolphins and other marine life is of utmost importance to us; therefore, we abide by the Cardigan Bay Marine Code of Conduct.
We are among the top 10% of things to do worldwide!!
thank you for your support!
