During which years did Captain Cook conduct his exploration of the South Seas?

Captain James Cook's exploration of the South Seas took place primarily during the years 1768 to 1771. This was his first voyage, where he embarked from England aboard the HMS Endeavour with a mission to observe the transit of Venus across the Sun and to explore the Pacific Ocean. During this voyage, Cook mapped significant portions of the New Zealand coastline and charted much of the eastern coast of Australia, claiming it for Great Britain.

The timeframe of 1768 to 1771 is significant as it marks the beginning of Cook's extensive contributions to maritime exploration and navigation. His scientific observations and detailed mapping helped to increase the understanding of the geography and cultures of the South Seas, establishing Cook as one of history's most famous explorers.