We present the results of detailed tests of the third-generation WAM wave model. The tests are carried out under well-known conditions, and they are chosen so as to check different aspects of the model. The test area is the Adriatic Sea, east of Italy, which is very shallow in its northern part. As expected from the basic physical approach of WAM to the problem, the results show the model's capability of responding equally well to different meteorological situations. Some discrepancies present at short nondimensional fetch and in shallow water are addressed with different formulations for breaking and bottom friction. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1989