Coastal inlets are bodies of water that connect the ocean to land. COVES, FJORDS, Rias, and Fiords are all types of coastal inlets. COVES are small, sheltered bays with a narrow entrance. FJORDS are long, narrow inlets with steep sides created by glaciers. Rias are similar to FJORDS but are created by rivers instead of glaciers. Fiords are also long, narrow inlets with steep sides, but they are created by both glaciers and rivers.