Abstract: Based on the data of 148 surface sediments from the Laizhou Shoal, together with the results of numerical simulation of the tidal current field and the sediment incipient flow rate, the characteristics of surface sediment distribution at the shoal are preliminary revealed, and the formation mechanism of the surface sediments distribution pattern of the study area is discussed. The result shows that from top to the bottom of the shoal, the particle size of surface sediments is decreasing, and the sorfing gets poorer. The overall distribution pattern of sediments is mainly controlled by the source of sediments and the morphology of the shoal, and the unique hydrodynamic condition of the shoal leads to further differentiation. The distribution pattern of sediments on the top of the shoal is mainly affected by the combined effects of wave and tidal current, but the distribution pattern of sediments on the bottom of the shoal is mainly controlled by the water circulations induced by the tidal current.