The ocean that surrounds Antarctica is called the Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean. It encircles the continent and is generally defined as the ocean south of 60°S latitude, extending from the edge of Antarctica and its ice shelves to the Antarctic Convergence or Polar Front, where cold polar waters meet the warmer waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans

. The Southern Ocean is unique in that it flows uninterrupted around the globe, driven by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. It plays a crucial role in global ocean circulation and climate regulation. Its boundaries are somewhat variable but are commonly accepted to lie near 60°S latitude, marking a distinct ecological and oceanographic zone separate from the adjacent oceans

. In summary, Antarctica is surrounded by the Southern Ocean, which is the fifth recognized ocean basin on Earth and is characterized by its circumpolar flow and distinct ecological boundaries