Most ocean waves obtain their energy and motion from the wind.
Ocean waves are surface waves that move across the surface of the ocean. When wind touches the surface of the water, there is friction in the contact zone. This friction causes a drag effect, that makes wrinkles on the surface of the water. As the wrinkles get bigger, they transform into full-blown waves, and the taller the wave, the more energy it can extract from the wind, making them even bigger and to move longer distances.
