surf zone
Where waves break
The surf zone is the area of ocean where waves break as they approach the shore.
It extends from the point where swells first steepen and curl to where spent waves wash up the beach.
Surfers, bodyboarders, and swimmers navigate this turbulent stretch: Lifeguards warned of strong currents in the surf zone.
- beachSandy waterside margin
- shorebreakWaves breaking at waterline
- beach breakSurf breaking on sand
- point breakWave curving around landmass
- wavesTraveling energy disturbances
shoreline · shore break · sandbar · surfing · surfer dude · ocean · high tide · breakers · wave height · swash · undertow · lifeguarding · rip current · shorebirds · tidepool · whitewater · white water · bodysurf
- coastal featuresshore, coast, beach, bay, cliff
- coastal landformsbeach, beaches, cliff, cliffs, coast
- coastscliffs, shoreline, sandy shore, coves, bays
- amphibious warfareamphibious assault, beach landing, amphibious warfare, landing craft, amphibious vehicle
- beach zonesshoreline, waterline, tide pool, dry sand, wet sand
- coastal habitatsshoreline, shorelines, tidal flat, coastline, mudflat
ocean depth/distance from shore
surf zonedeep ocean
Sea's lowest regions
open ocean · deep sea · offshore waters · high seas · blue water
water turbulence/energy
surf zonecalm waters
Undisturbed body of liquid
still water · flat water · slack water · sheltered cove · lagoon