The southern archipelago is part of Gothenburg municipality located in the province of Västergötland while the northern archipelago is Öckerö municipality, located in the province of Bohuslän.

Trafikverket has ferries from Lilla Varholmen to the northern archipelago.

Transportations is carried out by means of cycles, delivery mopeds, electric cars and ferries.

The islands appear to have been famous as a location for holmgangar during the Viking Age.

Sagas where the location appears: One of the islands, Brännö, is described as an important location for fairs in the Laxdæla saga, and it is also considered to be the likely location of Breca and the Brondings of the Anglo-Saxon poems Widsith and Beowulf.