I can predict an interesting and robust discussion over who accomplished the best exploration - Euros vs the Polys, but my nomination for best all time navigation feat goes to.....
the Homo sapiens who found and settled Australia 40,000 years ago. Some" of the trip involved relatively "routine" island hopping, but I understand there were stretches of open water that had to be crossed. Considering the technology available and the time differential, I am impressed. They put the "sapiens" in Homo sapiens.

I would comment that local knowledge helps,and can be crucial, even when you have all the modern high tech goodies.

I would be willing to bet that those dauntless European navigators got some helpful information from the resident native navigators. I wouldn't disparage the feats of the Euros, by any means. The casualty rates on many of the voyages exceeded 50%. Magellan himself was a DNF.....


Has this thread drifted, or what? Who's in charge of navigation here?