Coastal describes the boundary where land meets the sea or ocean. Coastal areas may feature sandy beaches, rocky shores, marshes, estuaries, or mudflats depending on the location.
Beaches can have white, golden, or black sand with crashing waves and seabirds. Cliffs and headlands may extend into the water. Vegetation such as salt marsh grass and dune plants stabilizes the shoreline. Coastal waters support fish, shellfish, dolphins, and seabirds. Many coastal areas are also populated with towns, ports, and tourism infrastructure.