In order to explore the feasibility of simulating wave propagation and deformation on a steep reef with the Funwave-TVD wave model based on the second-order fully nonlinear Boussinesq equation, using feasibility validation with the data form experiments and published papers, the wave propagation and deformation process on the steel reef was simulated with the model, and the wave propagation characteristics on the reef were analyzed with different wave elements and water depths. The numerical results show that when the ratio of the wave height to the water depth exceeds a certain value, the wave breaks and the wave height decreases quickly. In deep water conditions, the average wave height on the steep reef decreases to a stable value when the wave moves away from the slope toe of the reef to a distance four times the incident wavelength or further.