The word "dock" usually refers to an area of water between two piers or alongside a pier, which is a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles.

Docks are used for recreational and commercial purposes and are categorized by marina docks, boat docks and floating docks. Recreational types include swim floats and fishing piers. Other categories include marina and boat launch docks.

Marina dock systems are constructed to specially fit the needs of a marina. Most of these docks come in the commercial dock systems, because those allow access for a fee. A well-built marina dock system permits boats to get into and out of the breakwater safely and easily. Storm and wake wave protection are crucial to all marinas for survival. So, the major location factors to consider while building a marina dock include history of storm winds, waves and floods; and whether a cost effective breakwater is technically possible.

There are a variety of choices, such as double tube floating breakwaters, tee section docks and a single tube floating breakwaters. The double tube breakwater docks are usually angled, providing protection from wind waves and the waves formed by boat traffic. The single tube docks are built in order to prevent waves forming between the shore and the breakwater, and thus allowing boats to tie to the seawall. The docks are made of aluminum, steel and log frames.

While constructing a dock, the activities should cause minimum disturbance to the natural landscape, have operations well suited with the existing environment, minimize most negative effects and improve positive beneficial values when possible and practical.