Coastal mountains stand guard over Bolungarvík (pop. 1000). Bolungarvík has been a fishing port since Iceland was settled. The rich fishing grounds at the mouth of Ísafjarðardjúp made it an important site for fishing stations in the era of the rowboat. Opposite the village of Ósvör, an old fishermen’s hut from this time has now been restored to its original look.

As more powerful fishing vessels developed, however Bolungarvík became increasingly difficult to operate from due to its exposed natural harbour. Measures to create secure harbour facilities have therefore been one of the main local preoccupations for several decades.