Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does the North Sea connect to the Atlantic Ocean?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
North Sea
The North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the English Channel.
The North Sea connects to the Atlantic Ocean through several key passages:
- Southern Connection: The sea is linked to the Atlantic via the English Channel and the Strait of Dover.1
- Northern Connection: The North Sea opens directly onto the Atlantic Ocean in the north through the gaps between the Orkney and Shetland islands, as well as between the Shetland Islands and Norway.1