At Tides Out Maps, we're more than just designers and woodworkers — we’re coastal storytellers. Our maps are born from our deep love of New Zealand’s ocean landscapes and a shared passion for turning raw bathymetric data into meaningful, handcrafted art.
Here’s a closer look at the people behind the brand, why we started Tides Out Maps, and why mapping Aotearoa’s coastline is our calling.
🌊 Our Story Starts with the Sea
We’ve spent countless hours exploring New Zealand’s coasts — boating in the Hauraki Gulf, walking the shores of the Coromandel, diving off Waiheke Island. These moments planted the seed for Tides Out Maps: the idea that a map can be more than geography — it can be a memory.
What started as a passion project quickly grew into a small business dedicated to celebrating the depth, detail, and beauty of our oceans.
🛠️ The Craft Behind Each Piece
Every map we make is a balance of science, design, and story. We use real marine data, sourced from agencies like Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and transform it into layered wooden artworks that show the true contours of the seafloor.
Want to see how the full process works from raw data to finished art?
👉 How We Turn NZ Coastlines into Handcrafted Ocean Maps
Each map is:
-
Designed digitally using bathymetric depth contours
-
Laser-cut from sustainable plywood
-
Assembled, sanded, and framed by hand in our NZ studio
🎥 Peek behind the scenes in our studio:
👉 Studio Tour: The Craft Behind Tides Out Maps
❤️ Why We Love Doing This Work
We love maps — but what we really love is what they represent:
-
A first boat trip with your dad
-
A bay you return to every summer
-
The reef where you proposed
-
The beach you grew up near
When customers share their stories — and when we get to embed those memories into a map — that’s what makes our work special. It’s art, yes. But it’s also legacy.
✨ Every Map Tells a Story
We believe the coastlines of Aotearoa hold power. They anchor us, call us back, and shape who we are. By turning them into keepsakes, we help people hold on to what matters most.
Want to see what bathymetry really is and how it inspires our design process?
👉 What Is Bathymetry and Why It Matters in Art
🧭 From Our Hands to Your Home
Each map that leaves our studio has been carefully crafted by our small, passionate team. Whether it’s a ready-to-ship favourite or a fully bespoke piece made just for you, we pour love and care into every step.
🌏 Ready to create something meaningful?
👉 Start your personalised map journey
Or browse our full range of New Zealand-inspired coastal art:
👉 Explore all handcrafted ocean maps
🐚 Come Say Hi
We’re a small team based in New Zealand, and we love hearing from people who share our passion for the sea, for craftsmanship, and for stories worth keeping. Follow us, email us, or just drop a note when you order — we’d love to know the story behind your map.