Open ocean waves are generally well reproduced experimentally in hydrodynamic laboratories. When ocean waves approach coastal regions, they are modified by for instance decreasing water depth, islands, skerries, coastline and fjords. Waves in a complex coastal zone have to a lesser extent been studied experimentally in large scale laboratory facilities. Research is needed to establish methods for determining local wave climates in coastal regions, as well as for high quality experimental modelling of coastal waves. The objective of the PhD study will be to establish methods for experimental and numerical modelling of coastal waves in hydrodynamic laboratories.