Is this a good gift?

It's one of the most personal gifts you can give — a place, rendered in wood and handed to someone who loves it. More than half our orders are gifts, and we regularly hear from customers that the person receiving it was moved to tears. If the place means something to them, this map will mean something too.

Does it arrive ready to gift?

Yes. Every map is carefully packaged and arrives ready to give. You can add a personalised card at checkout.

I need it by a specific date — can you help?

Get in touch before you order and we'll let you know what's possible. We do our best to accommodate gifting deadlines where we can.

Can I personalise it?

Yes. Select the "Personalised (+$50)" option at checkout and leave a note telling us what to mark — a bay, harbour, anchorage, surf break, or anywhere that matters. We'll take care of the rest. See examples →

What exactly are they?

Handcrafted wooden depth maps — each one shows the real contours of the ocean floor (bathymetry) for a specific coastline or region. The wood is laser-cut to those exact depth contours, hand-painted in graduated tones from shallow to deep, and assembled layer by layer in our Auckland studio. Every map is made by hand, to order.

What materials do you use?

European Birch plywood and MDF, finished with water-based paint and timber oil. All laser-cut and hand-assembled in our Ellerslie studio.

Are they geographically accurate?

Yes. We use real-world bathymetric and elevation data, processed through GIS software and hand-edited for clarity. The depth contours represent actual ocean floor data.

What sizes are available?

Small, Medium, Large, and XL. Exact dimensions are listed on each product page. Custom sizes are available — get in touch to discuss.

How do I hang it?

Each map comes strung and ready to hang. No tools or extra hardware needed.

Can you make a map of a specific area I don't see in your range?

Yes — email us or fill in our enquiry form with your request and we'll let you know what's possible. Custom areas require additional time for data sourcing and processing.

Can I view the maps in person?

Yes — visits to our Ellerslie studio are welcome by appointment. Since everything is made to order, we may not have every location available to view. Get in touch to arrange a time.

How's the quality?

Every map passes through our hands multiple times before it leaves the studio. In over 1,000 maps made, we've had three returns — and we followed up with every single customer after delivery to make sure they were happy. Our small team takes real pride in the build quality of everything we send out.

Do you offer a guarantee?

Yes — we offer a lifetime guarantee on craftsmanship. If something isn't right with the way your map is made, we'll fix it or replace it. The only exceptions are damage from moisture, prolonged direct sunlight, or accidental damage.

What if my map arrives damaged?

Contact us straight away with a photo and we'll make it right — whether that's a repair, replacement, or refund. We pack every map carefully, but if something goes wrong in transit, we'll sort it.

How do I care for it?

Keep it away from direct sunlight and moisture. To remove dust, gently brush with a soft dry paintbrush. Treat it like any quality piece of timber and it'll last.

How long does it take?

Every map is made to order in our Auckland studio. Allow 10–14 days from your order date, plus shipping time. We'll keep you updated as yours is made.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes — we ship all over the world. Most orders go within New Zealand, but we regularly send maps to Australia and further afield. Note that international orders may be subject to import duties or taxes in your country — these are the responsibility of the recipient. Get in touch if you have any questions about shipping to your location.

What are your shipping rates?

Flat rate of $30 NZD within New Zealand, with 1–2 working day delivery (allow a little extra for South Island and rural addresses). International shipping is calculated at checkout or quoted on request.

Can I return my map?

Yes. If you're not happy with the craftsmanship, contact us and we'll make it right. We stand behind every map we make.

How do I pay?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Shop Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay. Afterpay is available for NZ customers only.

Do you have a physical store?

No retail storefront — but you're welcome to visit our Ellerslie studio by appointment. Get in touch to arrange a time.

Can I become a stockist or reseller?

Yes — email us at hello@tidesoutmaps.co.nz and we'll go from there.