What Are Nautical Charts?
Nautical charts are large-format maritime maps that were originally designed to help mariners navigate oceans, coasts, and lakes. These charts include critical details such as water depths, tide information, shoreline structures, channels, and navigational markers. Produced by official agencies like NOAA and NGA, these charts have been trusted for decades by mariners worldwide. While they are no longer updated for active navigation, they remain valuable for reference, education, and decorative use. Their distinctive cartographic style and technical detail also make them popular as framed wall art in coastal-themed spaces.
Nautical charts are large-format maritime maps that were originally designed to help mariners navigate oceans, coasts, and lakes. These charts include critical details such as water depths, tide information, shoreline structures, channels, and navigational markers. Produced by official agencies like NOAA and NGA, these charts have been trusted for decades by mariners worldwide. While they are no longer updated for active navigation, they remain valuable for reference, education, and decorative use. Their distinctive cartographic style and technical detail also make them popular as framed wall art in coastal-themed spaces.
What Are the Different Types of Nautical Charts?
Our collection includes two main types of nautical charts. NOAA charts cover all U.S. waters, including the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, and major bays and harbors. These charts were historically printed and distributed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NGA charts are produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and provide international coverage, depicting global oceans and foreign coastlines. Both NOAA and NGA charts feature detailed hydrographic data and classic nautical styling, making them ideal for collectors and décor applications. Whether you’re interested in U.S. coastal waters or international maritime regions, you’ll find charts that highlight key ports, channels, and shipping routes in authentic detail.
Our collection includes two main types of nautical charts. NOAA charts cover all U.S. waters, including the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, and major bays and harbors. These charts were historically printed and distributed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NGA charts are produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and provide international coverage, depicting global oceans and foreign coastlines. Both NOAA and NGA charts feature detailed hydrographic data and classic nautical styling, making them ideal for collectors and décor applications. Whether you’re interested in U.S. coastal waters or international maritime regions, you’ll find charts that highlight key ports, channels, and shipping routes in authentic detail.
Are These Charts Updated?
No. NOAA has officially retired its printed chart program, and these charts are no longer updated or maintained for modern navigation. They are preserved and printed for their historical and cartographic value. If you need a chart with current information but prefer the traditional printed look, we offer custom nautical charts built from the latest available digital data. Click here to create your own custom chart.
No. NOAA has officially retired its printed chart program, and these charts are no longer updated or maintained for modern navigation. They are preserved and printed for their historical and cartographic value. If you need a chart with current information but prefer the traditional printed look, we offer custom nautical charts built from the latest available digital data. Click here to create your own custom chart.
What Areas Do These Charts Cover?
The NOAA collection covers the entire U.S. coastline including Alaska, the Pacific Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Coast, Great Lakes, and inland waterways. NGA charts extend coverage to international waters including the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. These charts provide detailed information for major bays, harbors, channels, and offshore regions. Together, NOAA and NGA charts offer one of the most comprehensive views of global maritime geography available in printed form.
The NOAA collection covers the entire U.S. coastline including Alaska, the Pacific Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Coast, Great Lakes, and inland waterways. NGA charts extend coverage to international waters including the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. These charts provide detailed information for major bays, harbors, channels, and offshore regions. Together, NOAA and NGA charts offer one of the most comprehensive views of global maritime geography available in printed form.
Can I Order a Custom Nautical Chart?
Yes. We specialize in creating custom nautical charts for any location worldwide. Using the latest NOAA and NGA digital data, we can generate a high-quality printed chart with your chosen area, zoom level, and layout. Custom charts can be printed on paper or waterproof material and finished with mounting or framing for display. They make great commemorative pieces for boat owners, yacht clubs, or anyone who loves life on the water. Design your custom chart here.
Yes. We specialize in creating custom nautical charts for any location worldwide. Using the latest NOAA and NGA digital data, we can generate a high-quality printed chart with your chosen area, zoom level, and layout. Custom charts can be printed on paper or waterproof material and finished with mounting or framing for display. They make great commemorative pieces for boat owners, yacht clubs, or anyone who loves life on the water. Design your custom chart here.
What Finishing Options Are Available?
We offer multiple finishing options for nautical charts. Printed charts can be ordered as rolled maps on standard or waterproof paper. For décor, we provide mounting on foam board for easy hanging and push-pin tracking, as well as custom framing for a polished, ready-to-display look. These finishing services enhance durability and transform functional charts into striking wall art. View all finishing options here.
We offer multiple finishing options for nautical charts. Printed charts can be ordered as rolled maps on standard or waterproof paper. For décor, we provide mounting on foam board for easy hanging and push-pin tracking, as well as custom framing for a polished, ready-to-display look. These finishing services enhance durability and transform functional charts into striking wall art. View all finishing options here.
Can I Find a Specific Chart by Number?
Yes. If you know your NOAA or NGA chart number, enter it into the search bar located in the top-right corner of our website. You can also navigate through the main nautical chart categories to visually browse charts by region and coverage.
Yes. If you know your NOAA or NGA chart number, enter it into the search bar located in the top-right corner of our website. You can also navigate through the main nautical chart categories to visually browse charts by region and coverage.
What Makes Nautical Charts Ideal for Décor?
Nautical charts have a technical yet timeless design that pairs well with coastal and nautical-themed interiors. When mounted or framed, they bring authenticity and character to any room. Choosing a chart of a meaningful location, like a home port, a favorite fishing spot, or a memorable sailing destination, makes it a personalized statement piece. Customers often display these charts in living rooms, offices, or beach homes, turning maritime history into art.
Nautical charts have a technical yet timeless design that pairs well with coastal and nautical-themed interiors. When mounted or framed, they bring authenticity and character to any room. Choosing a chart of a meaningful location, like a home port, a favorite fishing spot, or a memorable sailing destination, makes it a personalized statement piece. Customers often display these charts in living rooms, offices, or beach homes, turning maritime history into art.
Why Buy from The Map Shop?
With more than 30 years of experience, The Map Shop has become a trusted provider of printed nautical charts for collectors, decorators, and maritime enthusiasts. We print every chart in-house in Charlotte, NC using high-quality materials and professional finishing techniques. Our catalog includes thousands of NOAA and NGA charts available for quick production and custom finishing. Whether you need a rolled chart for reference or a beautifully framed chart for display, we guarantee accuracy, durability, and expert craftsmanship. Read customer reviews here or learn more about our company history here.
With more than 30 years of experience, The Map Shop has become a trusted provider of printed nautical charts for collectors, decorators, and maritime enthusiasts. We print every chart in-house in Charlotte, NC using high-quality materials and professional finishing techniques. Our catalog includes thousands of NOAA and NGA charts available for quick production and custom finishing. Whether you need a rolled chart for reference or a beautifully framed chart for display, we guarantee accuracy, durability, and expert craftsmanship. Read customer reviews here or learn more about our company history here.