A group of figures gathers at the edge of a stone breakwater, their backs turned to the viewer as they face the surging sea. The waves crash against the barrier in broad, energetic sweeps of white and grey, sending spray high into the air. The figures are scattered along the lower edge of the composition, some standing close together in conversation, others alone, and a few leaning forward as if to watch the waves more closely.

Most wear dark coats and hats, but a few lighter garments and flashes of color—such as a pink skirt, a red coat, and a white hat—stand out against the muted tones of the sea and sky. The breakwater itself forms a horizontal band that anchors the foreground, separating the human presence from the restless water beyond. The sea dominates the middle of the painting, rendered in sweeping, fluid brushstrokes that capture the movement and translucency of the waves.

Foam and spray are suggested with quick, lively touches of white, contrasting with the heavier, more opaque greens and greys of the water. Beyond the waves, a steep, rugged headland rises to the right, its slopes painted in earthy browns and greens, with a few touches of red hinting at distant buildings or vegetation. The sky is overcast, filled with swirling clouds in shades of grey, lavender, and blue, with a patch of brighter light breaking through near the horizon.

The composition is balanced between the horizontal sweep of the breakwater and the diagonal thrust of the headland, while the figures add rhythm and variety to the lower edge. The overall effect is one of immediacy and atmosphere, capturing both the power of the sea and the quiet curiosity of the onlookers.