Quasisynoptic measurements were made to determine the spatial variability of ambient noise at the Arctic ice-water boundary over a frequency range from 100 to 1000 Hz. The results of this investigation show that the ice-water boundary acts as a spatially well-defined source of ambient noise with measured noise levels near a compact edge about 12 dB higher than open water levels and about 20 dB higher than levels far in the ice field. Measured noise levels near a diffuse ice edge were about 4 dB higher than open water levels, and about 10 dB higher than levels far in the ice field. The relatively high noise levels at the ice edge are probably generated by wave and swell interactions with individual ice floes.