Photo: Wave Picture Pacific Ocean Coastline Catlins New Zealand

A spectacular show as a wave rolling in off the Pacific Ocean hits the coastline and splashes high into the air in the Catlins district of the South Island, New Zealand.

An incoming tide surges along the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline of the Fossil Forest in the Catlins, a collision which sends waves reaching for the sky.

Ocean surface waves are often the result of distant winds which may have been blowing far out at sea. The Catlins coastline is open to the Pacific Ocean and therefore could be susceptible to large swells which are generated from ocean winds. Other influencing factors on the size of a wave is the depth of the water, and wind speed. Combined with an incoming tide the wind and ocean work together to create some spectacular wave action along the Catlins Coast of New Zealand.

Large waves along the rugged coastline of Curio Bay at the Fossil Forest along the Southern Scenic Route, Catlins, Otago, East Coast, South Island, New Zealand.

This picture is part of the photo album "Wave Backgrounds" - there are more beautiful images waiting for you.