A breakwater is an artificial offshore structure protecting a harbour, anchorage, or marina basin from water waves. Breakwaters intercept longshore currents and tend to prevent beach erosion.
There are many types of breakwater structures, depending on the wave climate, the slope
of the beach and the depth at the desired location of the breakwater, and the availability
and cost of the materials. The most common types are the rock mound breakwater and the
concrete caisson breakwater, or a combination of the two.
