We know that a wave is a disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space There are two main types of waves: Mechanical and Electromagnetic. Water waves are mechanical. A mechanical wave is an oscillation of matter to transfers energy, but you always need a medium (substance such as: solid, liquid, gas, plasma) to transport it. The medium for water waves is, in fact, the water. For example, ripple in water is a surface wave. On the other hand, electromagnetic waves don't need a medium to transport, they can do it through the empty space. Then, this is the major characteristic that makes these two types of waves different.
