Vestfjorden, Marine passage between Lofoten archipelago and Salten district, Norway
Vestfjord is a water passage between the Lofoten archipelago and the coastal region near Bodø, stretching 155 kilometers toward the Norwegian Sea. The fjord reaches a width of 80 kilometers at its mouth and provides deep, navigable waters used by ferries and fishing boats.
This water passage became a center for cod fishing in the early medieval period, laying the groundwork for regional maritime commerce. The value of these fishing grounds drew traders and settlers from across northern Europe.
The fishing villages along both shores are home to communities whose way of life has always centered on the sea and its rhythms. Visitors can still observe boats heading out to fish and nets being cast, following practices that have shaped life here for generations.
Ferries connect towns and islands across the fjord, with the main route from Bodø to Moskenes taking around four hours. Visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions on open water and dress in layers appropriate for maritime travel.
The fjord reaches depths of around 700 meters near Tranøy lighthouse and contains water temperature layers that draw cod in large numbers during spawning season. These special conditions make it a biological hotspot that has shaped fishing practices here for centuries.
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