Abstract: A floating anchored wave barrier is provided comprising a plurality of members connected by a flexible line or rigid connecting means. At least one of the members is an inverted vessel having an annulus attached to the periphery of the vessel. The buoyancy and mass of the members are such that when the barrier is placed in water, the top vessel is positioned at or near the water surface and each vessel if partially filled with air. The remaining members can be a vessel having an annulus attached thereto or a disk having a relatively great horizontal extent compared to its thickness. The remaining members are submerged but near the water surface so that they are located within the top portion of the wave where the major portion of the wave kinetic energy is encountered.