A model which simulates azimuthal imaging of a monochromatic ocean wave and current by an interferometric synthetic aperture radar (INSAR) is developed. The model allows one to obtain simulation of a regular synthetic aperture radar (SAR) as a particular case. The effects of velocity bunching and scanning distortion, as well as the dependence of the output on wave propagation direction, are considered. SAR and INSAR imaging of a monochromatic wave is compared both qualtiatively and quantitatively for a wide range of governing parameters. Analytical expressions for both SAR and INSAR outputs were obtained for small values of the velocity-bunching parameter. The accuracy of these analytical approximations was checked numerically. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1991