Frequent use of pile-supported coastal and offshore structures makes the study cf wave loading on piles of significant practical importance. The interaction between non-breaking waves and vertical cylinders which pierce the surface has received much attention. However, rational design criteria for these structures subject to breaking waves is still limited. An empirical formula of Apelt and Piorewicz (1986) is confirmed and its range of applications extended to include relatively small coastal structures and/or more exposed open coastlines. Simplified design aids are presented, together with an illustrative example, for the evaluation of total force and moment about the base of a pile exposed to breaking and broken wave conditions.