Exploration Guide

16 islands, 3 biomes — navigate the floating archipelago and uncover every secret in the sky

The Floating Archipelago

Solarpunk's world consists of 16 floating islands scattered across the sky, grouped into three distinct biomes: Starter, Temperate, and Winter. Each island has a fixed position on the world map and unique resource distribution — there is no procedural generation. Understanding the archipelago's layout is essential for planning efficient airship routes, establishing strategic outposts, and maximizing your resource acquisition across the entire map.

You begin on New Start Island in the Starter biome, where the game teaches core survival mechanics: gathering, crafting, building, and farming. The broken airship on your starting island is both your goal and your gateway — repair it to leave the starter zone and access the 13 other islands beyond. Each biome introduces progressively greater challenges and rewards. Temperate islands offer industrial-scale resources but require longer flights. Winter islands demand advanced airship upgrades and survival infrastructure but contain the rarest materials in the game.

This guide covers every island in the archipelago as of the June 2026 1.0 release. Note that two special islands — Donut and Snow Cave — exist in the world data but do not appear on the in-game map widget. Discovering these hidden locations requires deliberate exploration and community-shared coordinates. The information below is aggregated from player exploration data, the official Solarpunk wiki, and in-game testing.

Biome Overview

Starter Islands

Climate: Temperate (mild)

Islands: 3 islands

Danger: Low

Travel Req: Starting airship (repaired)

Key Resources: Wood, Stone, Fiber, Berries, Basic Ores

Your training ground. New Start Island, Start Island, and Tiny Start form the starter archipelago. These islands have gentle terrain, abundant basic resources, and the wrecked airship you must repair to leave. Perfect for learning core mechanics before venturing into more dangerous skies.

Temperate Archipelago

Climate: Mild / Subtropical

Islands: 7 islands

Danger: Medium

Travel Req: Engine Upgrade L2+

Key Resources: Iron Ore, Copper Ore, Cotton, Dye Plants, Crops

The largest island group and the backbone of your mid-game. Chair Island, Lower Nice, Tri Island, Golden Mid, Worm Island, The Land, and Flat Big offer denser ore deposits, larger buildable areas, and more diverse resources. Most players establish their primary mining and industrial outposts here.

Winter Islands

Climate: Cold / Storm-prone

Islands: 6 islands

Danger: High

Travel Req: Storm Plating + Hull L3+

Key Resources: Rare Metals, Permafrost Crystals, Titanium, Special Fibers

The endgame challenge. Wild Winter, Donut Island, Tiny Double, U-Shape Island, Snow Cave, and Stairs Island are perpetually cold with frequent storms. These islands yield the rarest resources in the game but require upgraded airship defenses and advanced heating equipment to survive prolonged expeditions.

Complete Island Reference

Island	Biome	Type	Danger	Description
New Start Island	Starter	Tutorial / Main Base	Low	The default starting island with the most balanced terrain. Contains the initial airship wreck for repair. Ideal main base location with ample flat space for farming and building.
Start Island	Starter	Alternative Start	Low	An alternative starting island option. Slightly different terrain layout but similar resource availability. Some players prefer this for a fresh start layout.
Tiny Start	Starter	Compact Starter	Low	The smallest starter island. Limited build space but quick to navigate. Good for speed-focused players who plan to relocate their main base early.
Chair Island	Temperate	Mining / Mid-game	Medium	Named for its distinctive shape. Rich in iron and copper deposits. Popular early mid-game destination for establishing your first mining outpost.
Lower Nice	Temperate	Farming / Mixed	Medium	Mild climate with good farming conditions. Suitable for crop-focused outposts. Decent ore deposits supplement your agricultural operations.
Tri Island	Temperate	Industrial	Medium	Triangular landmass with concentrated mineral veins. Ideal for industrial outposts with smelting and processing facilities close to mining sites.
Golden Mid	Temperate	Resource Hub	Medium	Centrally located in the temperate zone. Excellent waypoint for airship routes connecting multiple outposts. Balanced resources with good gold deposits.
Worm Island	Temperate	Mining / Exploration	Medium	Irregular, winding terrain rich in diverse ore types. Requires careful base placement on its uneven surface but rewards explorers with varied mineral deposits.
The Land	Temperate	Large Build Site	Medium	The largest temperate island with the most buildable area. Ideal for establishing a secondary main base or a massive industrial complex.
Flat Big	Temperate	Large Farming	Medium	Expansive flat terrain perfect for large-scale farming operations. Less mineral-rich than other temperate islands but unmatched for agricultural output.
Wild Winter	Winter	Advanced Mining	High	The gateway to winter islands. Frigid temperatures demand advanced heating. Rich rare metal deposits make the risk worthwhile.
Donut Island	Winter	Unique Layout	High	Distinctive ring-shaped terrain. The central area provides natural shelter from storms. Contains unique resource nodes in its protected inner region.
Tiny Double	Winter	Compact Outpost	High	Two small connected landmasses. Minimal build space but concentrated rare resources. Best used as a temporary extraction outpost rather than a permanent base.
U-Shape Island	Winter	Sheltered Mining	High	U-shaped terrain provides partial storm protection on one side. Strategic base placement can reduce weather damage to infrastructure.
Snow Cave	Winter	Underground Cavern	Extreme	A hidden island that never appears on the in-game map. Underground cave environment with zero natural light. Requires total artificial energy infrastructure. Contains the game's rarest crystals.
Stairs Island	Winter	Tiered Terrain	Extreme	Multi-level terrain with stepped plateaus. Navigating between levels requires careful path planning. Each tier holds different resource types — explore every level thoroughly.

* Island data based on the 1.0 release (June 2026). Donut Island and Snow Cave are hidden and do not appear on the in-game map widget.

Airship Travel Mechanics

The airship is your only method of island-to-island travel. You start with a wrecked airship that must be repaired before any flight is possible. Once repaired, you can travel within the Starter biome. Reaching Temperate and Winter islands requires progressively upgrading six airship systems.

Prop Engine

Determines travel range and speed. Each major engine upgrade unlocks a new island tier. Prioritize early for island access.

Battery Cells

Extends power reserve for longer flights. Essential for reaching distant islands without running out of energy mid-flight.

Storm Plating

Reduces storm drift and weather damage. Required for Winter biome travel. Without it, thunderstorms will destroy your airship.

Timber Hull

Increases damage capacity. A reinforced hull gives you margin for error during storms, accidental impacts, and long journeys.

Solar Canopy

Onboard solar recharge rate. Replenishes battery during flight. More canopy = less reliance on pre-charged batteries.

Captain's HUD

Displays speed, weather, wind, and time data. Higher tiers provide precision navigation for the most distant islands.

Dangers during airship travel include thunderstorms (which cause drift and hull damage without Storm Plating), running out of battery power mid-flight (stranding you until solar recharge kicks in), and navigating in low-visibility weather. Always check your destination's distance and the current weather forecast before departing.

Scanning & Resource Detection

Scanning is Solarpunk's primary exploration tool. Use the Scanner Tool to identify resources, animals, and points of interest across every island. Effective scanning prevents wasted travel and ensures you know exactly what each island offers before building.

Scan Target	Tool	Details
Ore Deposits	Scanner Tool	Identifies surface and near-surface mineral veins. Scan range increases with tool tier. Mark deposits on your map for future mining routes.
Wild Crops	Scanner Tool	Detects wild crop plants (cotton, berries, dye plants) that can be harvested or transplanted to your farms. Some wild crops are biome-exclusive.
Animals	Scanner Tool	Locates chickens and other animals for domestication. Animals provide eggs, feathers, and other renewable resources.
Merchants	Scanner / Map	Three trade bots appear on certain islands. Scanning reveals their exact positions. Merchants offer resources and items not available through crafting.
Landmarks	Visual / Map	Five landmarks exist across the archipelago (including the broken airship). Some are tied to progression triggers and tutorial objectives.
Water Sources	Scanner Tool	Freshwater ponds and streams are critical for survival. Build your outpost within range of a water source. Desert and winter islands have the most limited water access.

Exploration Strategies

Repair your airship first — you cannot leave the starter island until the airship dock and hull are repaired. Prioritize gathering the materials listed in the repair panel.

Engine upgrades determine island range — each propulsion upgrade unlocks access to islands further from your starting position. Check the map for travel distance indicators before departing.

Storm Plating is non-negotiable for winter islands — attempting to reach winter biomes without adequate storm resistance will result in severe hull damage or airship destruction.

Bring a portable power supply — every island has different daylight hours. Winter islands get as little as 8 hours of sunlight. Carry extra batteries or a solar canopy upgrade for energy-dependent expeditions.

Establish outposts, not permanent homes — on first arrival to any new biome, build a small outpost with basic power, storage, and shelter. Confirm environmental stability before investing in large-scale construction.

Scan the island before committing — use your scanning tools to identify resource locations, animal spawns, and merchant positions before choosing your outpost site. A good scan saves hours of relocation later.

Cross-island logistics scale with demand — once you have 3+ outposts, invest in a dedicated transport airship or automated drone network. Manual supply runs become unsustainable at scale.

Airship Upgrade Requirements for Island Access

Island Group	Required Engine	Required Hull	Storm Plating	Recommended Supplies
Starter Islands	Base (repaired)	L1	Not needed	Wood x50, Stone x30, Food x20
Temperate Archipelago	L2+	L2	L1 recommended	Iron x30, Copper x20, Battery x3
Winter Islands	L4+	L3+	L3 (mandatory)	Titanium x20, Heating Unit, Battery x6, Food x50
Hidden Islands (Snow Cave/Donut)	L5 (max)	L4+	L4 (max)	Full energy grid, Emergency Supplies, Backup Generator

Exploration Strategy: Optimal Route

Phase 1: Starter Mastery (Hours 1-5)

Repair the airship. Scan and clear all 3 starter islands. Build your main base on New Start Island with full infrastructure: power grid, farm plots, storage depot, and basic crafting stations. Do not leave until you have 3 batteries, 50+ food, and a hull repair kit.

Phase 2: Temperate Expansion (Hours 5-15)

Upgrade engine to L2. Establish your first mining outpost on Chair Island (best iron/copper density). Build a second outpost on Flat Big for large-scale farming. Set up transport routes between outposts and main base. Your goal is resource self-sufficiency before attempting winter islands.

Phase 3: Winter Preparation (Hours 15-20)

Research Storm Plating L3 and Hull L3. Stockpile 6+ batteries, 50+ food, and a backup generator. Upgrade engine to L4. Craft heating units for your winter outpost. Do not skip preparation — a stranded airship on a winter island with dead batteries is a death sentence.

Phase 4: Winter Exploitation (Hours 20-30)

Land on Wild Winter first — it is the safest winter island with the most accessible rare metals. Establish an extraction outpost. Expand to Donut Island for unique resources in the protected center. Snow Cave is your final destination — only attempt with max upgrades and full emergency supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unlock new islands?

Islands are unlocked by upgrading your airship's Prop Engine. Each major engine upgrade extends your travel range, allowing you to reach progressively further island groups. Start by repairing the base airship (unlocks Starter islands). Upgrade the engine to reach Temperate islands. Storm Plating is also required for Winter islands — attempting the journey without it will destroy your airship.

Can I move my main base to a different island?

Yes, but it's generally not recommended to fully relocate. The starter island has the most balanced climate and buildable area. The community-preferred strategy is to keep your main base on the starter island and establish specialized outposts on other islands — mining outposts on temperate islands, crystal extraction on winter islands. Use airship transport networks to funnel resources back to your main hub.

What are the hidden islands and how do I find them?

Snow Cave and Donut Island exist in the game but do not appear on the in-game map widget. Snow Cave is a completely underground environment with no natural light — you'll need total artificial energy infrastructure to survive there. Donut Island has a distinctive ring shape with protected central terrain. Both require fully upgraded airships to reach and community-shared coordinates to locate. Check player forums and the Solarpunk wiki for exact navigation data.

Do resources respawn on islands?

Most surface-level resources (trees, surface rocks, wild crops) respawn over time. However, mineral veins and ore deposits generally do not regenerate after being fully mined. This is why establishing multiple mining outposts across different islands is essential for long-term sustainability. Some deep mineral veins accessible through Mining Machines may have slow regeneration rates, though community observations vary on this mechanic.

How do day-night cycles differ between islands?

Daylight hours vary significantly by biome. Starter and Temperate islands average 13-14 hours of daylight. Winter islands can drop to as few as 8 hours. This directly impacts solar panel efficiency and crop growth rates. Plan your energy infrastructure accordingly — islands with shorter daylight require larger battery banks or alternative power sources (wind turbines). The Captain's HUD airship upgrade displays daylight data for your current location.