Bømlafjorden

Bømlafjorden stretches for about 30 kilometers between the island of Bømlo and the mainland, forming the outer section of the Hardangerfjord system. The waters separate island communities from the mainland and create an important maritime boundary in the region.

The fjord was the site of a royal tragedy in 1374 when King Magnus IV of Sweden and Norway perished in a shipwreck in its waters. This event stands as one of the most notable maritime incidents in the region's medieval history.

The waters connect three municipalities, each with its own maritime and fishing traditions that shape daily life in the surrounding villages. These practices remain part of how coastal communities here use and relate to the fjord.

A tunnel beneath the fjord connects the mainland directly with island communities, allowing easy passage between the regions. This infrastructure has fundamentally changed daily life and the movement of goods and people between the shores.

A ship was sunk here in 1945 during an air attack and has rested on the seafloor since. This World War II event remains part of the local maritime memory and history.

Location: Sveio Municipality

Location: Bømlo Municipality

Location: Stord Municipality

GPS coordinates: 59.63333,5.28333

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:41