Facing rough conditions, assembled breakwaters have been destroyed several times due to bad weather. Tetrapods that intertwine have made for a flexible breakwater that can resist the Barents Sea. The port was secured with breakwaters in 1973. Since then, the Coastal Ferry has been able to dock in Berlevåg. Earlier a smaller vessel had to unload cargo and passengers from it in the open sea.

The meaning of the first element is derived from the Norwegian word perle which means "pearl" and the last element is våg which means "bay".

Berlevåg's coastal location serves to moderate temperatures during winter, receiving heat from the Gulf stream. Temperatures during winter rarely pass below −15 °C (5 °F), while temperatures during summer are not regularly warmer than 30 °C (86 °F).