Answer with Explanation:
"Surface waves" are also known as "wind-generated waves." Such waves occur on the surface of the water that has a zero parallel shear stress. Their speed upon reaching the land will depend upon the wind blowing over the fluid's surface. So, this means that they could travel several miles before actually reaching the land. They could also come in different sizes, from small ripples to big tsunamis.
The factors that tell the time when the surface waves reach the land are: wind speed, depth of the water, wind duration, the area that is affected by the fetch (width) and the uninterrupted distance of open water.