The data resulting from a 23‐month ambient‐noise measurement program are reviewed. 2‐min‐long broad‐band magnetic tape recordings were made every 2 h, from omnidirectional hydrophones at fixed locations. Ten noise‐level readings were made in each of ten logit frequency bands between 100 and 1000 cps from each recording. The mean value obtained from each set of ten readings was taken as the representative level of that 2‐min sample in subsequent data processing. The data clearly show the dependence of ambient‐noise level upon wind‐speed and a lesser dependence upon wave height. The spectrum is seen to change markedly with wind speed and to suggest the presence of both wind‐dependent and non wind‐dependent mechanisms. Level‐distribution histograms show dependence upon both frequency and season. The standard deviation is shown to be a function of both frequency and wind speed. Power‐spectrum analyses indicate the occurrence of cyclical noise variations with periods up to 55 h.