On no account should you confuse this town with its Cornish cousin, Newquay. New Quay (see, 2 words), or ‘Cei Newydd’ in Welsh, was once a thriving port, shipbuilding and fishing centre and home to ‘Cape Horner’ sea captains who could have been the inspiration for Dylan Thomas who lived for a while in the town.
The secluded coves surrounding New Quay also ensured the area had a healthy salt and brandy smuggling trade.
Nowadays New Quay is a popular seaside holiday destination, well known for its dolphin spotting boat trips, award-winning beaches and variety of watersports. New Quay’s sheltered harbour provides safe berths for pleasure craft and fishing boats. The Cardigan Bay Regatta has taken place there every August since the 1870s, with sailing races for all ages and in-shore swimming and fun events for children.