Materials eroded by waves are transported mainly by long shore drift. Long shore drift is the movement of beach materials such as sand, mud, gravel and coral pieces along the shoreline.

It is caused by waves breaking at an acute angle and at the same time winds and ocean currents, moving water and materials along the shoreline.

Long shore drift creates the swash and backwash, which leads to deposition of some materials hence forming deposition features.

Longshore drift carries particles of sand and rock down a coastline.