Map of the Pacific Ocean with the expedition's route

After rounding Cape Horne and sailing into the Pacific, the expedition of Jacob le Maire and Willem Schouten continued along the Chilean coast. The ships passed the islands of St. Maria and Mocha, before turning northwest after encountering the Juan Fernandez archipelago. When reaching 15 degrees north of the equator, the expedition continued westwards, hoping to discover the Terra Australis, a supposed large island or continent in the Pacific Ocean that may be rich in resources and trade opportunities. During their voyage the expedition encountered several pacific islands. In mid-April 1616, the first was the Dog Island (“Hondeneiland”), where they found some watercress, gulls and fish, and some abandoned dogs which led to the name of the island. It was likely the island Puka Puka of the Tuamotu islands.