After patrolling near Wake Island, "I-35" received orders on 23 October 1943 to move to the Hawaii area. She was southwest of the Hawaiian Islands on 19 November 1943 when she was informed that Submarine Group A had been reactivated and received orders to proceed to Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands along with the submarines , , , and . On 20 November 1943, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign began with the U.S. invasion of Tarawa and of Makin. On 21 November 1943, "I-35" reported sighting a U.S. Navy task force — probably Task Group 53.6, consisting of the escort aircraft carriers , , and and the destroyers escorting them — southwest of Tarawa. The Japanese never heard from her again and declared her missing that day.