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:

• Leifur Eiríksson, a norse viking discovered America some 500 years before Columbus, calling part of it Vinland
• Zheng He 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