The shores of Cardigan Bay from Harlech to Newport in west Wales were surveyed during 2 week-long surveys. Detailed species and habitat records were completed for 63 sites, of which 24 were cored using 8 x 10.3 cm cores. The shores north of Aberystwyth are predominantly boulder and cobble with Sabellaria alveolata reefs or moderately wave-exposed sandy shores. South of Aberystwyth the shores become steeper in places and are characterised by barnacles and limpets. Sediment shores here are restricted to small embayments. The sheltered shores of Mochras Lagoon, Dysynni, Rheiddol, Ystwyth, Aeron, Teifi and Newport estuaries were surveyed.