A numerical procedure for shape optimization of a 2D hydrofoil by means of a genetic algorithm is described. A formula utilizing two Bezier splines for the construction of the foil shape is introduced. The search for the optimal shape is translated to one of determining the coordinates of the vertex points of the two Bezier splines which control the upper and lower surface of the foil. A Modified Genetic algorithm (MGA) is developed to serve as an optimization tool. The developed methodology is applied to the determination of hydrofoil shapes under a proper objective function. The shape produced by the genetic algorithm yields fairly good performance with high lift and low drag.