Short answer: The surf scene runs year-round and winter swell is the serious season. Newquay Zoo and the main attractions stay open. Much of the nightlife and some beach cafés close, which most visitors count as an improvement.
Newquay's summer reputation obscures the fact that it's a genuine year-round surf town, and winter is when the serious surfing happens.
Winter brings the big Atlantic swell. Fistral in a proper winter swell is a different proposition to August — worth watching even if you're not going in.
Newquay Zoo runs year-round, as do the main cafés and a good number of the restaurants. The town has enough residents to keep a real winter trade going.
Much of the summer nightlife, some beach kiosks, and several of the seasonal attractions. Most people visiting in winter aren't sorry about the first one.
Dog restrictions lift out of season on most of them, which makes Newquay genuinely good for winter dog walking. Watergate Bay at low tide in January is enormous and empty.
Straightforward, and often free or cheaper out of season. Worth checking the signage as winter rates differ.
Towan Headland gives height and distance. Stay well back from the edge and off the rocks — the same rules apply here as anywhere on this coast.
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