He was also an experienced sailor and navigator, having sailed to North Africa and the Azores. As a young man, he studied navigation and geography, which would prove invaluable during his voyages. He was the third son of Estêvão da Gama and Isabel Sodré. Vasco da Gama was born in 1469 in Sines, Portugal. From a young age, he yearned for adventure and exploration, making him the perfect candidate to lead the first voyage from Europe to India. Vasco da Gama was born in the early 15th century in Sines, Portugal.