The result of the European election proves Wales is as Eurosceptic as the rest of Britain, UKIP's Welsh MEP says.
The party was narrowly beaten into second place by Labour in Wales.
UKIP MEP Nathan Gill said the support that voters had shown his party was more than a protest vote and it would be built upon at the general election.
The Conservatives, who topped the poll in 2009, came third, followed by Plaid Cymru.
It means no change in that the four parties each retain a seat representing Wales in the European Parliament.
The Green Party came fifth with a 4.6% vote share, with the Liberal Democrats sixth on a disappointing 4%.
Results in Wales
Labour 206,332 28.15% (+7.86)
UK Independence Party 201,983 27.55% (+14.76)
Conservative 127,742 17.43% (-3.79)
Plaid Cymru 111,864 15.26% (-3.25)
Green 33,275 4.54% (-1.04)
Liberal Democrat 28,930 3.95% (-6.73)
British National Party 7,655 1.04% (-4.38)
Britain First 6,633 0.90% (0.00)
Socialist Labour Party 4,459 0.61% (-1.20)
NO2EU 2,803 0.38% (-0.87)
Socialist Party of Great Britain 1,384 0.19% (0.00)
Labour received 28.7% of the vote with UKIP in second on 28.1%. The Tories had 17.8% and Plaid 15.6%.
Mr Gill told BBC Radio Wales: "We always said we could win here in Wales. That's what we strove for, that's what we set our target for and we were literally just 4,350 votes short of actually beating Labour here in Wales.
"We are over the moon.
"The people of Wales have spoken and they are as Eurosceptic as people are in England or Scotland."
He denied that support for his party was a protest vote.
"Who would go out in the rain just to protest? Most people wouldn't. They did it because they believe in Britain and they want us to leave the EU."
He said the party would build on the result at the general election next year.
People were "fed up of the mainstream political parties", he said.
UKIP's Nathan Gill said support for his party was not just a protest vote "We found that on the doors, on the streets, people were telling us they were voting for us this time and they would say 'we are going to vote for you next time as well'."
Labour's successful candidate Derek Vaughan, an MEP since 2009, said he was delighted his party had won the most votes in Wales, but sorry it could not win a second seat.
"The turnout of 32% is not exactly brilliant," he said. "It's our job to explain the benefits that Wales gets from the EU.
"We have to re-engage with voters and explain the benefits of EU membership. To coin a phrase, we're all in this together."
Re-elected Conservative Kay Swinburne said engagement with the public was an issue: "We have to raise the profile of what the EU is about and what MEPs do for the day job."
She added: "I am particularly pleased that the Conservative vote was maintained in those areas of Wales where we currently have strongly elected members."
Meanwhile, Jill Evans thanked the people of Wales "for trusting Plaid Cymru for being a strong voice in Europe for the next five years".
There had been concerns in the party that Ms Evans, first elected 15 years ago, was in danger of losing the seat this time round.
The Liberal Democrats admitted it had been a disappointing night.
Aled Roberts AM, chair of the Welsh Lib Dem European campaign, added: "However, we can hold our heads up high over the campaign we fought. While most parties remained silent on the issue of Europe, we had the strength to fight a positive campaign and to stand up for the benefits of remaining in the EU."
Wales 'as Eurosceptic as rest of UK'
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