Essential Information
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National Maritime Museum
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| Price | Free |
Voyage to the world’s largest ocean and hear tales of exploration and exploitation. Learn about encounters between Europeans and the Te-Moananui-a-Kiwa (people of the Pacific Ocean), and the legacies still felt today.
Inside the gallery
The Pacific is the world’s biggest ocean, and people have lived there for thousands of years. Learn more about British voyages to the Pacific by men such as Captain Cook that changed the world forever, and the legacies and traditions of the people living there today.
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Experience the stories of Pacific voyages, including the HM Bark Endeavour, the first of three expeditions led by Captain James Cook in 1768.
Plus hear stories of Pacific islanders, such as Tupaia, whose knowledge of his surroundings greatly helped Cook during his expeditions.
Behold the drua, a Fijian open ocean canoe, and explore Pacific histories of boat-building, navigation and performance.
Discover artistic representations of the Pacific islands and their occupants by artists such as William Hodges and George Stubbs.
See examples of the exploitation of Pacific land and resources through relics from the infamous story of the mutiny of the Bounty.
Read accounts from missionaries who introduced, and in some cases imposed Christianity on the islanders, whose practices and beliefs they tried to outlaw.
Behind the scenes
William Hodges accompanied Captain Cook on his voyages to the Pacific. He turned his sketches into rich canvases which defined how Europe saw the region. See how Hodges' largest surviving painting, 'The War-Boats of Tahiti', was prepared for display at the Museum.
Visit
Delve deeper
Cleaning a Missionary: Conserving the portrait of John Williams
The Pacific Encounters Gallery features this treated portrait of John Williams, a missionary to the Pacific islands who met a grisly end.
Tongan dances…in the Caird Library
Library Assistant Sonia Bacca looks at some fascinating Tongan dances, seen through our archives
Captain Cook, Sir Joseph Banks and tattoos in Tahiti
When Captain Cook returned from his first voyage he brought with him the term ‘tattoo’ if not the practice itself
Choose your tickets
National Maritime Museum
- Guaranteed entry time
- Access to all free galleries and activities
- Special exhibitions free in 2024
| Free entry |
|---|
| Book online |
Member tickets
- Unlimited free entry
- Priority booking and exclusive events
- Access using your membership card
| Membership card number required |
Become a Member
- Unlimited entry all year
- Royal Observatory
- Cutty Sark
- Planetarium Shows
- Special exhibitions
| Direct Debit | One-off |
|---|---|
| Individual: £50 | Individual: £60 |
| Family: from £60 | Family: from £70 |