To verify the resistance coefficient used in numerical simulations and experimental models of hexagonal and square opening artificial reefs, an experimental model and numerical simulations were used to measure and calculate the resistance coefficients of the two methods at four different opening rates (γ_ty=0.0625, 0.14, 0.25 and 0.39) in hexagonal opening and square opening artificial reefs with four kinds of flow angles of attack (θ=0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°). The results showed that (1) in both the numerical simulation and the experimental model, the resistance of artificial reef models decreased with the increase in opening rate. The resistance of reef models can be changed by changing the angles of attack. In addition, the artificial reef model resistance reached a maximum at θ=30° at four angles of attack. (2) In both the numerical simulation and the model experiment, when θ=15°, 30°, and 45°, the resistance coefficient increased with an increase of opening rate in an obvious linear relationship, and the resistance coefficient reached its maximum when θ=30°. (3) The relative error of resistance between the numerical simulation and the experimental model resistance ranged from 0.12% to 17.18%, with an average error of 7.43%; the relative error of resistance coefficient ranged from 0.03% to 14.64%, with an average error of 5.26%. The resistance and coefficient of resistance error were below 20%. The correlation coefficients, R, between the experimental model and the numerical simulation for resistance and resistance coefficients were 0.99 and 0.80, respectively (P<0.001), showing a strong correlation. Therefore, it is feasible to use numerical simulation to study the hydrodynamic performance of artificial reefs.