The passage of water through the Gulf of Mexico from Yucatan Strait to the Straits of Florida and the connection between the Caribbean and Florida Currents. The Loop Current is part of the western boundary current system of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre and as such is swift flowing, extending to great depth, and prone to instabilities. Its path includes a large northward excursion into the gulf beyond 27°N but retreats to 25°N when shedding an eddy. Eddies drift slowly westward into the central and western Gulf of Mexico.