Waves are moving energy rather than moving water, since the water itself mostly circles in place.

The longer version

Energy passes across the open sea while the water beneath barely shifts its position. A gust hands motion to the surface layer, and each parcel nudges its neighbour in a circular roll that shrinks with depth. Anything floating simply rides up and over, swinging forward and back, and ends each cycle close to where it began.

What races toward a beach is the wave form rather than a delivery of water. Only in shallow ground does the orbital motion flatten, stretch and topple, spilling water forward as surf. Wind strength, fetch and duration together set swell size.

Where this entry sits

Oceans and Sea Life looks at the salt water that covers most of the planet, from crashing waves and tides to the darkest deep-sea trenches. Expect notes on coral, fish, whales, sharks, jellyfish, shells, and the strange creatures that live far below the surface. The full list sits on the Oceans and Sea Life page, where every entry is listed in order.