Pulau Pangkor is a relaxed fishing island off the coast of Perak on Malaysia's west side, sheltered from the worst of the northeast monsoon and therefore accessible year-round — making it one of the few Malaysian islands that can be visited in November and December. The island has a low-key, local feel: fishing villages, Chinese temples, and relatively uncrowded beaches at Teluk Nipah and Coral Bay. A small Dutch fort (VOC Fort Pangkor, built 1670) near the east-coast fishing village is the main historical site, and the hornbills roosting in the interior trees are a wildlife highlight. The island is reached by a 40-minute ferry from Lumut, which is about 2 hours south of Penang or 2 hours north of Ipoh along the main west-coast highway.