What does the ocean floor near the shore look like?

Plate tectonics and the ocean floor. The shape of the ocean floor, its bathymetry, is largely a result of a process called plate tectonics. The outer rocky layer of the Earth includes about a dozen large sections called tectonic plates that are arranged like a spherical jig-saw puzzle floating on top of the Earth's hot flowing mantle. read more

It depends on whether there is an abrupt drop from the shoreline to the ocean floor, or a gradual slope. If it is a typica, gradual slope, you will see evidence of wave action sxouring the sand. read more