much more difficult to predict. Swimmers may be pushed in directions they aren’t expecting, and small boats can have difficulty handling waves arriving from multiple directions.
Cross seas have also been associated with dangerous conditions for vessels, particularly because a boat cannot simply position itself optimally for one direction of incoming waves when another wave system is approaching from a different angle.
For swimmers, the important takeaway is simple: a strange crisscrossing pattern is a reason to stay out of the water, not a reason to swim closer for a better look.
What Should You Do If You See Square Waves?
If you notice a clear checkerboard or crisscross pattern developing in the ocean, take the safest approach.
1. Get Out of the Water
If you’re already swimming, calmly make your way back toward shore rather than remaining in the water to watch the phenomenon.
Don’t try to swim farther
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