This study describes a 29-year (1981 to 2009) global ocean surface gravity wave simulation generated by a coupled atmosphere-wave model using NOAA/GFDL’s High Resolution Atmosphere Model (HIRAM) and the WAVEWATCH III surface wave model developed and used operationally at NOAA/NCEP. Extensive evaluation of monthly mean significant wave height (SWH) against in situ buoys, satellite altimeter measurements, and ERA-40 reanalysis show very good agreements in terms of magnitude, spatial distribution, and scatter. The comparisons with satellite altimeter measurements indicate that the SWH low bias in ERA-40 reanalysis has been improved in our model simulations. The model fields show strong response to the NAO in the North Atlantic and the SOI in the Pacific Ocean that are well connected with the atmospheric responses. For the NAO in winter, the strongest subpolar wave responses are found near the Northern Europe coast and the coast of Labrador rather than in the central Northern Atlantic where the wind response is strongest. Similarly, for the SOI in the Pacific Ocean, the wave responses are strongest in the northern Bering Sea and the Antarctic coast.