What causes waves to occur in the ocean?

Waves are most commonly caused by wind. Wind-driven waves, or surface waves, are created by the friction between wind and surface water. As wind blows across the surface of the ocean or a lake, the continual disturbance creates a wave crest. These types of waves are found globally across the open ocean and along the coast.

Waves in ocean are caused by winds

Explanation:

Waves are produced when there is a disturbance in a medium. Waves located on the ocean's surface are commonly caused by winds. Since waves are the carriers of energy so winds transferring its energy to the water, and big waves, or swells, can travel over long distances. A wave's size depends on wind speed, wind duration, and the area over which the wind is blowing along the air-water interface, creating a disturbance that steadily builds as wind continues to blow and the wave crest rises.