Delfino Airstrip

The Delfino Airstrip is a seaside location where tourists first come to when visiting Isle Delfino by plane. It is a simple landing strip built on small islets in the waters near Delfino Plaza. Travelers can reach the mainland via small boats.

Delfino Airstrip Dilemma
The plane Mario, Princess Peach, Toadsworth, and the Toads were flying in comes to a screeching halt once it arrives at the airstrip. Leaving the plane, the characters find goop in the shape of Mario's face. Toadsworth will tell Mario to find some assistance as Peach notices Shadow Mario nearby. Finding F.L.U.D.D. on the opposite end of the airstrip, the player has to defeat the Polluted Piranha in the center by spraying it when its mouth is open. Spraying it three times will defeat it, revealing the Shine Sprite and returning the airstrip to normal. Afterwards, Mario will be taken to a trial, with the Piantas blaming Mario for vandalizing their island.

This is the only Shine Sprite in the game that cannot be recollected.

Red Coins of the Airstrip
After opening up Corona Mountain and paying a Pianta in Delfino Plaza ten coins to return to the airstrip, the player can do a Red Coin challenge. By Ground Pounding a Red Coin Switch and using the Turbo Nozzle, the player has to collect the eight Red Coins both on and around the airstrip. Collecting them all within the time limit will reward the player with the Shine Sprite.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Delfino Airstrip only makes a small cameo in Super Smash Bros. Brawl in the background of the Delfino Plaza stage. The airstrip's model seems to be largely simplified from its appearance in Super Mario Sunshine, in that it simply looks like a floating block in the ocean.

Nozzle locations
Nozzle Boxes appear during Mario's second visit. The Rocket Nozzle does not appear anywhere on the airstrip, although if desired, the player is able to take any nozzle from Delfino Plaza to the Airstrip, allowing them to use the Rocket Nozzle there.

Turbo Nozzle

 * On the northwest edge of the airstrip. Right of the Hover Nozzle.

Hover Nozzle

 * On the northwest edge of the airstrip. Left of the Turbo Nozzle.

Official description
''A simple airstrip built on small islets in the waters near Delfino Plaza. Access to the mainland is via small boats.''

Trivia

 * After completing the game and going back to the airstrip, the Guide Book will display Mario's location as being in Delfino Plaza. The airstrip is considered a submap of the plaza because its 100 Coin Shine is also the same as the 100 Coin Shine for Delfino Plaza.
 * The music heard the first time the player is in the airstrip is a remix of the original 'Underground BGM' music from Super Mario Bros.. When the player returns to the airstrip, the Delfino Plaza music plays instead.