Abstract: Understanding the variation characteristics of kinetic energy in nearshore waters is essential for comprehending material transport. This study investigates the response of kinetic energy in nearshore waters to the forcing of wind, waves, and tides based on winter and summer observations in the northern area of the Heini Bay in the Yellow Sea. During the observation period, there were strong winds with speed exceeding 10 m/s. Swells dominated the wave variations in the area. During winter and summer, the maximum flow velocities were 0.35 m/s and 0.45 m/s, respectively, and the velocity profile showed little vertical stratification and the east-west oscillating semi-diurnal tidal currents controlled the overall velocity changes. The peak values of kinetic energy during the flood and ebb tide stages in winter were approximately 2.49×10⁻² m²/s², while that during the ebb tide stage in summer were larger, which was approximately 6.09×10⁻² m²/s². The kinetic energy induced by the tidal currents exhibited the characteristics of periodic variations. The occurrence of the strong wind events did not significantly input energy into the tidal currents. The energy from the strong wind events continuously contributed to the generation of wind-driven residual currents, resulting in an increase in residual kinetic energy by approximately 4.3 times. The variations of bottom drag were not related to the strong wind forcing but were responsive to intense wave processes.