Which straits connect the Gulf of Mexico to the ocean?

The Gulf of Mexico is connected to the surrounding seas and oceans by two primary straits:

• Straits of Florida: This passage connects the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. It runs between the Florida Keys to the north and Cuba to the south.12
• Yucatán Channel: This strait connects the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean Sea. It is situated between the Yucatán Peninsula and Cuba.32

These channels serve as critical conduits for oceanic circulation, allowing water to flow from the Caribbean into the Gulf through the Yucatán Channel and exit eastward through the Straits of Florida, where it forms the Florida Current and the beginning of the Gulf Stream.45