Using ERA-interim significant wave height (SWH) and sea surface wind field data from 1979 to 2016,the distribution and changes of extreme wave fields in the South China Sea-north Indian Ocean were analyzed.The results show that the extreme SWH distribution in the South China Sea-North Indian Ocean is highly consistent with extreme wind speed distribution patterns and inter-annual trends,reflecting the fact that extreme SWH is controlled by local extreme wind speeds in the north Indian Ocean and South China Sea.Strong extreme SWH occurs in the Arabian Sea and the northern part of the South China Sea.The growth of the northern Arabian Sea is closely related to the enhancement of cyclone intensity in the region.The extreme SWH in the South China Sea is mainly controlled by the northeast monsoon.The linear SWH growth trend in the east African coast is related to the increasing linear trend in the interdecadal scale of the Somali Jet.The EOF analysis of the extreme SWH anomalies in the north Indian Ocean and the South China Sea showed that the extreme SWH in the South China Sea and the north Indian Ocean showed reversed-phase changes.The extreme SWH in the north Indian Ocean (South China Sea) mostly occurs during the southwest monsoon (northeast monsoon) because extreme wind speeds also relatively increased during that period.