Why does the northeast get better waves than the southeast?

[RichD14]

Both the northeast and southeast have large continental shelves when you look at Google earth, or satellite view from Google maps (you can even check the depths), I've noticed beaches in the northeast, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, RI and the rest of New England etc. seem to get better, and bigger waves than the southeast (with the exception of Outer Banks, NC). Anyone know why? What's going on here?

[Ged]

Have you looked at the weather systems for the areas?

[billie_morini]

Yes, both regions have the continental shelf. But, the physical conditions related to the shelf are not the same. The shelf in the southeast has greater length meeting unsubmerged land. This gradual slope dissapates wave energy. The shelf in the northeast is shorter and deep water is closer to land. When waves energy from the deep abruptly meets the land, larger waves are formed. There are secondary factors, too. Probably the most significant of them is the ocean current is stronger in the northeast than southeast. The stronger current is also an energy input.