Plizio Visual Lab

Faisi Island

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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Faisi Island, situated within the Shortland Islands group, served as a premier Japanese seaplane base and naval anchorage during World War II. Its protected waters provided a convenient environment for the operation of reconnaissance aircraft and patrol boats, which were vital for monitoring Allied movements. The Japanese established significant infrastructure on Faisi, including fuel depots, maintenance shops, and radio facilities to support their campaigns across the northern Solomon Islands. The island was also a strategic staging area for the 'Tokyo Express' missions, the high-speed destroyer runs that delivered reinforcements to Guadalcanal. Consequently, Faisi was a frequent target for Allied air strikes aimed at crippling Japanese maritime and aerial surveillance capabilities. Currently, the island is a tranquil tropical setting, yet it still bears the scars of war with concrete foundations, rusted coastal guns, and submerged aircraft wrecks found in the surrounding shallows.

Location: Solomon Islands
Nearby: Mono (50 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	28	28	28	28	28	28	28	28	28	28	28	28
Rain mm	264	296	282	270	383	371	356	349	278	288	237	230

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

Faisi Island is an island in the Shortlands that served as an administrative center before the war and a major Japanese base during the Pacific War. Today it is a historically significant site with remnants from that period, recalling the maritime history of the Solomon Islands.

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Visiting

The island is accessible by boat from Gizo and can be visited by tourists as it is no longer an active military facility. However, some areas may be overgrown or unmaintained.

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Where to view it

The best viewpoint is the old Japanese observation post on the island's high ground, offering a wide view of the Shortlands and the sea lane. The northwestern beach also provides a good view of the surrounding islands.

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Local products

As the island is sparsely populated, there are no permanent markets; occasionally local fishermen offer fresh catch. In Gizo, however, souvenirs like shells and carved wooden items can be bought.

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Active season

Historical tourism on Faisi Island is possible year-round, but is most pleasant during the dry season from May to October. During this time, the sea is calmer, making boat landing easier and exploration more enjoyable.

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Nearby

Combine the island visit with a day trip to Gizo, where you can explore the main market and war memorial. A snorkeling trip to the „Kasuga Maru” wreck near the Shortlands is also highly recommended.

Geography

Coordinates

-7.01000, 155.87000

Facts

Faisi was occupied by Japanese forces in early 1942 to secure the Shortland Islands.
The island was a primary station for the 14th Air Group of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Numerous 'Rufe' seaplanes (A6M2-N) were based here for local defense and scouting.
Faisi's location provided a commanding view over the Bougainville Strait.
Allied air raids in 1943 successfully destroyed much of the island's fuel storage capacity.
Several Japanese merchant ship wrecks are located in the harbor, casualties of air attacks.