Abstract: Based on wave buoy observation and the ADCIRC-SWAN wave-current coupled model, this study analyzes the wave characteristics in the Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea during typhoon “TALIM” (No. 2304 in 2023) and assesses the impact of tidal current on effective wave height. It shows that during “TALIM”, the maximum observed significant wave height was 2.73 m with wave period of 6-9 seconds, and the waves primarily propagated eastward. The maximum significant wave height in the Beibu Gulf reached 3.7 m with high effective wave height being distributed mainly in the eastern Beibu Gulf near the Leizhou Peninsula and the Qiongzhou Strait. Before “TALIM” arrived, there was a region dominated by swell waves in the east of the Beibu Gulf, while after “TALIM” passed, the region was mainly controlled by wind waves. In areas deeper than 15 m, the significant wave height nearshore was largely affected by whitecapping, bottom friction, swells, and the interactions between these factors. As water depth decreased to 5 meters, wave breaking and triad interactions caused a rapid reduction in significant wave height. Coupling experiments show that bottom friction primarily affects shallow areas within 20 meters of water depth in the Beibu Gulf, the impact of water level is mainly in nearshore areas of the northern and eastern Beibu Gulf, and the impact of current coupling is primarily in the Qiongzhou Strait and areas farther from coast. It also shows that tidal current has a stronger effect on the significant wave height within the strait, it can significantly reduce the significant wave height in the Qiongzhou Strait by nearly 0.6 m within 12 hours.