Coral Cove Wargaming Mat: Coastal Terrain Buying Guide

Start with your table, not the artwork

The Coral Cove mat gives you a reef, safe harbor, and a shark named SHARKY, but the most important choice is whether its dimensions and surface suit your games. This guide walks through the real constraints: available sizes, overlay options, material behavior, and care, so you can pick the right variant without guessing.

Mats by Mars cuts every mat to exact dimensions, so measure your play area first. The Coral Cove mat comes in sizes from 22"x30" up to 48"x72", including square and rectangular formats. If you run small skirmish games, a 24"x24" or 22"x30" mat may be enough; for larger battles or role-playing sessions, consider 36"x36" or bigger.

What the Coral Cove mat is made of

• Mats by Mars: Coral Cove Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Printed on ultra-durable heavy weight matte banner material suitable for the outdoors. Durable material means the mat can handle regular play and travel without showing wear quickly.

  

• Mats by Mars: Coral Cove Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Scratch resistant, vibrant, detailed design. The artwork stays clear through handling and storage, which matters for a themed mat like Coral Cove.
• Mats by Mars: Coral Cove Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Each mat features a slight texture that keeps models from unwanted sliding. A textured surface helps miniatures stay put during play, especially on a glossy-looking water design.
• Mats by Mars: Coral Cove Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Anti-curl mat that lays flat when you need it and rolls up for easy storage. You avoid the hassle of curled edges and can store the mat without it taking permanent bends.

Overlays: when a grid or hex helps

Coral Cove offers optional overlays: RPG Grid, 1" Hex, 3" Grid, 3" Hex, and Bushido, depending on size. Choose an overlay if your game uses measured movement or grid-based combat and you want clear boundaries without measuring every move. If you prefer free measuring or want maximum visual immersion, pick the Blank overlay and let the artwork speak for itself.

Not every size offers every overlay. For example, 24"x24" includes Blank, RPG Grid, 1" Hex, 3" Grid, and Bushido, while 30"x30" is listed with Blank only in the supplied evidence. Check the variant list before ordering to make sure your preferred overlay is available in your size.

Size and overlay options at a glance

• Mats by Mars: Coral Cove Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Available sizes include 22"x30", 24"x24", 24"x36", 30"x30", 36"x36", 48"x48", 48"x60", 36"x72", 48"x72", 44"x30", 44"x60", 44"x90", and 34"x22". A wide range lets you match the mat to your table size and game scale, from small skirmish to large battles.
• Mats by Mars: Coral Cove Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Overlay options include Blank, RPG Grid, 1" Hex, 3" Grid, 3" Hex, and Bushido, depending on size. The overlay determines how movement and measurement work in your games, so it is a key decision alongside size.

Care and cleaning: what you can expect

The Coral Cove mat is wet-erase compatible, easy to clean, and waterproof. That means you can mark it with wet-erase markers and wipe it clean, which is handy for tracking objectives or drawing temporary terrain. It will not stretch or shrink over time, so your measurements stay consistent across sessions.

The supplied information does not specify drying times, cleaning agents, or storage temperatures. Stick to mild soap and water for cleaning, and roll the mat loosely for storage to avoid creasing. Avoid sharp folds and heavy weight on the rolled mat.

How Coral Cove fits different game types

The reef and shark theme suits nautical or coastal scenarios, but the mat is versatile. For fantasy football, the water areas can act as hazards or boundaries; for skirmish wargames, the reef provides cover and choke points; for role-playing, it is a ready-made battle map for seaside encounters. The slight texture helps models stay in place, and the anti-curl design keeps the play area flat.

If your games rely on precise grid movement, choose an overlay that matches your ruleset. If you prefer free measuring, the Blank variant keeps the artwork uninterrupted. The mat is also available in large sizes like 48"x72", which can accommodate multiplayer games or big armies.

Price and value

• Mats by Mars: Coral Cove Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Catalog price is USD 12.38, with a comparison price of USD 18.75. At this price, Coral Cove is an accessible way to add a themed, durable play surface without a large investment.
• Mats by Mars: Coral Cove Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Mats by Mars mats are cut to exactly the correct dimensions for home and tournament play. Exact sizing means the mat will fit standard tables and tournament setups without overhang or gaps.

What the listing does not tell you

The supplied evidence does not include a thickness measurement, weight, or specific material composition beyond "heavy weight matte banner material." It also does not list a carrying case or bag. If you need those details, check the full product page or contact the store before ordering. The available evidence confirms the mat is waterproof, wet-erase compatible, scratch resistant, and anti-curl, but it does not confirm UV resistance or outdoor longevity beyond "suitable for the outdoors."

Decision checklist before you buy

• Measure your table: Confirm the length and width you can accommodate; the mat is cut to exact dimensions, so a 48"x72" mat needs a table at least that size.
• Choose overlay based on rules: Pick RPG Grid, 1" Hex, 3" Grid, 3" Hex, or Bushido if your game uses grids or hexes; choose Blank for free measuring.
• Check variant availability: Not every overlay is offered in every size; verify the combination you want is listed.
• Plan for care: Use wet-erase markers and mild soap; roll loosely for storage to maintain the anti-curl property.