Ocean exploration is a part of
oceanography describing the exploration of
ocean surfaces. Notable explorations were undertaken by the
Greeks, the
Egyptians, the
Polynesians, the
Phoenicians, Phytheas,
Herodotus, the
Vikings, and the
Portuguese. Scientific investigations began with early scientists such as James Cook, Charles Darwin, and Edmund Halley. Ocean exploration itself coincided with the developments in
shipbuilding,
diving,
navigation, depth,
measurement,
exploration, and
cartography.