coastal
Along the water
Coastal describes things relating to or located near the coast—the land along an ocean or sea: coastal erosion, coastal communities, a coastal highway.
The word often implies proximity to the sea without being directly on it.
In American politics, coastal sometimes carries cultural overtones, contrasting densely populated ocean-bordering states with the interior: coastal elites.
Sandy waterside margin
- cliffVertical rock wall
- duneWind-formed sand ridge
- headlandCoastal land jutting seaward
- inletWater extending into land
lagoon · peninsula · promontory · cove · bay · sandbar · seawall · shingle
Tidal mixing zone
- mangroveTidal shrub with exposed roots
- saltmarshCoastal wetland with brackish water
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- seagrassSaltwater flowering plant
reef · kelp forest · rockpool · intertidal · mudflat · tidal flat · brackish · spawning ground
Safe anchorage for ships
- lighthouseCoastal beacon tower
- pierWaterfront landing structure
- wharfShip docking structure
- marinaRecreational vessel harbor
buoy · mooring · fisherman · trawler · boat launch · anchor · seafaring · dockside
Mildly windy, or nonchalant
- windsweptExposed to strong winds
- salt airBriny coastal atmosphere
- sea sprayAirborne saltwater droplets
- fogLow-lying cloud cover
mist · squall · gale · humid · temperate · balmy · storm surge · hurricane
Marine skeletal formation
- seaweedSaltwater aquatic plants
- kelpLarge brown marine algae
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- barnacleSessile marine crustacean
anemone · starfish · urchin · mollusk · jellyfish · seahorse · crab · mussel
Ocean's cyclical swell
- tidepoolCoastal rock hollow holding seawater
- ebbGradual retreat seaward
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- high tideMaximum sea level
low tide · spring tide · neap tide · tidal range · tidal bore · current · undertow · surf
Place for getaways
- boardwalkPlanked waterfront pathway
- promenadeLeisurely public stroll
- seasideCoastal recreational area
- vacationLeisure time away
sunbathing · surfing · snorkeling · diving · fishing · beachcomber · cabana · hotel
beach
Sandy waterside margin
inlet · lagoon · peninsula · promontory · cove · bay · sandbar · seawall · shingle · spit
estuary
Tidal mixing zone
- mangroveTidal shrub with exposed roots
- saltmarshCoastal wetland with brackish water
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
seagrass · reef · kelp forest · rockpool · intertidal · mudflat · tidal flat · brackish · spawning ground · nesting site
harbor
Safe anchorage for ships
- lighthouseCoastal beacon tower
- pierWaterfront landing structure
- wharfShip docking structure
marina · buoy · mooring · fisherman · trawler · boat launch · anchor · seafaring · dockside · portside
breezy
Mildly windy, or nonchalant
- windsweptExposed to strong winds
- salt airBriny coastal atmosphere
- sea sprayAirborne saltwater droplets
fog · mist · squall · gale · humid · temperate · balmy · storm surge · hurricane · typhoon
coral
Marine skeletal formation
barnacle · anemone · starfish · urchin · mollusk · jellyfish · seahorse · crab · mussel · oyster
tide
Ocean's cyclical swell
high tide · low tide · spring tide · neap tide · tidal range · tidal bore · current · undertow · surf · swell
resort
Place for getaways
vacation · sunbathing · surfing · snorkeling · diving · fishing · beachcomber · cabana · hotel · cottage
- place adjectivessuburban, urban, rural, northern, southern
- place descriptorsregional, local, remote, national, isolated
- travel adjectivesscenic, exotic, adventurous, luxurious, remote
- design stylesart deco, Art Nouveau, art nouveau, Bauhaus, minimalism
- habitat typesaquatic, terrestrial, arboreal, marine, freshwater
- biology termscell, DNA, genetics, genetic, evolution
coastalinland
Away from the coast
interior · landlocked · midland · upcountry · hinterland
coastalcontinental
Of a continent
landlocked · terrestrial · land-based · interior · agrarian
- roller coastersGravity-powered amusement vehicles
- the coast is clearNo danger remains nearby
- coast to coastAcross a landmass's full width
- rocky coastsBoulder-lined ocean edges
- coastal developmentBuilding on shore areas
- West CoastAmerica's sunset shore
coast, coaster, coasts, coastline, seacoast, coasters, coastlines, seacoasts, coastal waters