Vartdalsfjorden

Vartdalsfjorden is a fjord in Møre og Romsdal that stretches through Hareid, Ulstein, and Ørsta municipalities, connecting Storfjorden with Sulafjorden. The waterway features steep mountain sides along its shores and contains several small islands, including Eika in its central waters.

The region was originally part of Vartdal municipality, which lay along the fjord's southern banks between 1895 and 1964. A restructuring led to the dissolution of this municipality and its merger with Ørsta and neighboring areas.

The name comes from Old Norse words describing a valley where fishermen traditionally cast their nets into the water. This fishing heritage shaped the region for centuries and remains visible in how people use these waters today.

The Eiksund Tunnel provides a road connection across the fjord, linking municipalities on both sides. Visitors traveling by car can use this direct route to cross the region and explore nearby settlements.

The fjord reaches depths of around 365 meters below sea level, making it one of the deepest waterways in the region. This remarkable depth shapes local water dynamics and supports different marine environments at various depths.