Final answer:
A bay is a relatively small area of the ocean partially isolated by a barrier, while a lagoon is a narrow body of water parallel to the shoreline with connections to the ocean.
Step-by-step explanation:
A bay is a relatively small area of the ocean that has been partially isolated by a barrier. It is a body of water that is separated from the open marine conditions by natural barriers like a sand spit, barrier islands, or coral reefs, but still has access to the sea.
For example, East Matagorda Bay in Texas is a shallow body of water separated from the larger body of water by barrier islands or reefs. It has low energy, contains silt and clay, and is connected to the ocean by narrow passes.
High salinity and significant tides can also be characteristics of a lagoon, which is a relatively shallow, narrow body of water that runs parallel to the shoreline between a barrier bar or island and the mainland, with connections to the ocean through narrow passes.