Ocean waves are driven by drag between and the surface of the ocean.

What causes ocean waves? Ocean waves are created by the transfer of energy from the atmosphere to water. Most water waves are generated by wind moving over the water's surface that creates fractional drag ... The water molecules within deep water trace a series of circles that extend below the surface of the wave base

The wave is due to drag between wind and water.

Explanation:

Ocean waves are produced by the exchange of energy from the earth's atmosphere to water. Most ocean waves are generated by air passing above the surface of the water which makes fractional drag. The size of the subsequent waves are reliant upon the wind speed, duration of the wind, and the fetch i. e., the territory and distance over which the wind ventures.

As a rule, people believe that waves in deep water give off an impression of being enormous moving objects, similar to a ridge of water flowing across the ocean's surface. Notwithstanding, the ocean wave is one of a few sorts of waves, which are all disturbances brought about by the development of energy from a source through some medium.