Katanes is a small fishing village on the north coast of Iceland where the fisherman Halldór Bessason (Wilhelm Borchert) has bought himself a farm and plans to marry Salvör (Heidemarie Hatheyer), the former owner's daughter. He also wants to provide a prosperous future for the remote village, as he plans to build a large port in the bay. One day, however, he shipwrecks and is washed up on the island Hraun where he finds shelter from the never-ending storm at a farm. There he meets the farmer’s girl María (Ingrid Andree) with whom he falls in love. When he finally returns home, he soon learns that María is pregnant and is forced to decide whether to marry her or Salvör. That decision has serious consequences.