Google Earth Overlay Maps

Ready for an amazing ride?

Google Earth is an application that you download to your computer. It's a compilation of satellite photography that lets you "fly" around the world and look at anything you want.

The default data set for Google Earth has great images of terrestrial features, but it's not so great for underwater features.

We've created an overlay file that takes the detailed underwater geography information from the printed bathymetry map of the San Juan Islands (available for purchase from Tahoe Maps) and makes it available in Google Earth.

Google Earth is a big program and takes a while to download. The overlay maps are large, too.

We have two versions of the overlay map. One is lower resolution and the other is much more detailed. They're both big files.

Here's how it works:

1. Download the Google Earth application from Google (note: you just need the regular version, not "pro".)

2. Download the SeaDoc KMZ overlay maps. Small (26MB) Large (101MB)

3. On your computer, open the downloaded KMZ file to view it in Google Earth.

4. Like all programs, Google Earth takes a little practice to master. You can learn a lot about navigating by watching a short video from Google. The other big hint: to tilt your view, hold down the shift key and drag with your mouse. The Google Earth application has a help menu with more tips & tricks.

5. We'd love to have your feedback!