Captain James Cook's third voyage, departing from Plymouth, England, marked a significant chapter in the age of exploration, aiming not only to expand geographical knowledge but also to engage in scientific inquiry. Cook's fleet consisted of the HMS Resolution and the HMS Discovery, equipped for prolonged voyages with provisions and scientific instruments necessary for astronomical observations and other studies. This expedition was particularly aimed at finding the elusive Northwest Passage, a sea route through North America that many seafarers sought but had yet to discover.

Cook's ships sailed through the relatively uncharted waters of the Pacific, making stops at various islands such as the Marquesas and Hawaii. His interactions with local populations would have profound implications for global trade and the exchange of cultures, while his detailed observations contributed to the European understanding of the Pacific region. The expedition was also notable for its scientific attempts, with botanists and naturalists aboard who collected and documented many new species of plants and animals.

Over the course of this voyage, Cook meticulously charted coastlines and islands, including significant parts of the New Zealand coast and the Hawaiian islands, which he would first encounter in 1778. His mapping practices and methodologies would set new standards for the field of navigation and contribute greatly to future explorations. The quest for knowledge and discovery lay at the heart of Cook's third voyage, yielding immense contributions to geography and science in the 18th century.