It is the widest place on the Curonian Spit, reaching 3.6 kilometers. This, like other horns of the spit, was formed by strong westerly winds carrying sand into the lagoon. Bulvik's name is thought to have originated from the Curonian surname, but the Scandinavian origin of this name is also probable: in Swedish, the word "bolja" means "wave" and "vik" means "bay".