This beautiful 247-square-kilometre island, one of the most famous attractions of Thailand, is some 84 kilometres east of Surat Thani's provincial capital. It can be reached by boat from Surat Thani town or by ferry either from Don Sak (some 7 kms from Surat Thani town) or Khanom (in Nakhon Si Thammart). A 51-Kilometre ring road encircles the island, which has numerous lovely beaches and bays, and is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills. Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts. The most popular are Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai where, generally, attractive accommodation can be found. Besides marvelous beaches, other interesting attractions include the Samui Butterfly Park; the Monkey Centre; the Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls; the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay, and a massive seated Buddha image on Ko Fan. The island's major sea front settlement is at Na Thon where shops, restaurants and tour agents are located.