The era of European sea explorations began in the late 15th century and lasted for a little more than three full centuries.
This is a list of notable sea explorers:
- Leif Eriksson, a norse viking discovered America some 500 years before Columbus, calling part of it Vinland
- Cheng Ho explored much of Asia and Africa.
- Christopher Columbus, discovered America
- Amerigo Vespucci, discovered other parts of America and gave his name to the new continent
- Vasco da Gama
- Ferdinand Magellan, discovered the Pacific Ocean
- Abel Tasman
- James Cook
- Bartolomeu Dias
- Samuel de Champlain
- Luis Vaez de Torres
- Henry Hudson
- Giovanni da Verrazano