Nearshore bathymetry and water surface elevation were derived using the temporal correlation approach and the sky glint method, respectively, from a 14-min UAV video recorded at Torrey Pines State Beach, CA, USA, under energetic wave conditions ( \({H}_{0}={1,96} \text{m}\) ). The estimated bathymetry closely matches in-situ data, achieving an RMSE of 0.74 m, a bias of 0.52 m, and \({R}^{2}=0.97\) , , comparable to established techniques. Notably, this method provides reliable depth estimates despite challenges from wave breaking and white water in the surf zone. Although wavelength estimation at breaking points was less accurate, wave celerities were consistently captured, enabling precise depth measurements—addressing a long-standing issue in nearshore studies. These findings underscore the potential for monitoring sandbar dynamics and morphological changes associated with storms. Additionally, water surface elevations derived via the sky glint method aligned well with in-situ pressure sensor measurements, allowing calculation of wave skewness (0.12) and asymmetry (–0.36), consistent with literature. The significant wave height was estimated at \({H}_{s}=1,93 \text{m}\) , overestimating sensor data by 31%. This study demonstrates the potential of short UAV surveys to provide cost-effective, high-resolution data for coastal monitoring, offering insights into sea state conditions and informing hydrodynamic models with minimal effort.