Who was the admiral who explored the Indian Ocean for Alexander?

The admiral who explored the Indian Ocean for Alexander was Nearchus. A Cretan officer in Alexander’s service, Nearchus commanded the fleet sent from the Indus River toward the Persian Gulf in 325 BCE.

The voyage followed Alexander’s conquest of the Indus Valley. Alexander divided his forces: he led much of the army west across the difficult Gedrosian Desert, while Nearchus guided the ships along the coast. The fleet faced monsoon winds, scarce fresh water, unfamiliar coastlines, and dangerous harbours before reaching the Strait of Hormuz and rejoining Alexander in Carmania.

Nearchus later wrote an account of the expedition called the Indike, now lost but preserved indirectly through Arrian and Strabo. His role is sometimes confused with Onesicritus, who served as the fleet’s pilot or chief navigator. Nearchus was the overall commander, making his name the canonical answer. His voyage also helped Alexander assess the maritime routes linking India, Persia, and the Persian Gulf.