Abstract: The zonal sediment distribution in the coastal zone near Yantai (from Penglai to Chucun, Weihai) results from the processes of wave, wave-produced longshore current and coastal current. Sand is distributed from high tidal level to 10 m water depth and mainly controlled by wave and longshore current. And the sediment source is from the coastal land nearby. Sand-silt-clay is mainly distributed in 10~15 m water depth. A part of sediments are the Yellow River derived sediments transported by the coastal current and a part from nearby small rivers is transported by the wave and nearshore circulation. Clayey silt and silt are distributed in the water depth of 15~20 m. They are the Yellow River derived sediment transported by the coastal current.