Tahiti Shopping

The Islands of Tahiti Souvenirs

Tahitian Cultured Pearls and Jewelry

Tahiti cultured pearls from pearl farms on the Tuamotu and the Gambier Islands are the must-have souvenirs for every visitor to French Polynesia. You can buy Tahitian pearls mounted or unmounted (pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, etc.). The prices are very wide-ranging and depend on a number of criteria (quality, luster, size and shape). Black pearls are more rare and are typically more expensive. Strict regulation guarantees the quality of our pearls. You can request a certificate of authenticity from your reseller. Polynesian creators and designers compete to combine pearls with mother of pearl and other natural materials (wood, bone, leather, fabric, etc.) to produce original pieces.

Vanilla & Other Gourmet Grocery Products from The Islands of Tahiti

One of the best The Islands of Tahiti gifts for foodies is Tahitian Vanilla. It is recognized as the best vanilla in the world by master chefs who value its taste and aroma. You can find it in several forms (beans, powder, extract, etc.) by producers on our islands, in particular Taha’a, an island renowned for its high-quality vanilla plantations and beans.

Pickled mango, pineapple or papaya, fondants and fruit pastilles, honey from fragrant exotic blossoms, special vanilla, coconut and tiare flower flavored teas also make for great Tahiti souvenirs. Polynesian gourmet grocery products are used as the basis for a number of unique recipes just waiting for you to discover when you return home. You can find all these unique products in supermarkets and self-service stores throughout The Islands of Tahiti. 

Monoi Oil & Cosmetics

Monoi, a term borrowed from the ancient Tahitian word mōno’i, is made from refined coconut oil and macerated Tahitian tiare flowers and is sold in different forms. Handmade monoi is prepared by māmā (grandmothers) from the islands and sold by the producers directly (along the roadside, at craft shows, etc.) and in Papeete’s market. Commercially produced monoi, prepared by a number of local laboratories, is scented (sandalwood, ylang-ylang, jasmine, etc.) and can be found as a cosmetic item in supermarkets or in pharmacies (balm, creams and lotions for the body, shampoo, soap, etc.). Other local products and natural ingredients can be added to enhance its special properties (tāmanu oil, pressed from nuts with healing properties, or noni, an ancient remedy with anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties).

The Tahiti Monoï Road is the global source of monoï oil, the famous beauty and skin oil used in cosmetics, creams and lotions. Visitors can now experience all facets of the monoï oil industry with a newly organized collective of experiences concentrated along the circle-island road. Choose from any of the 22 botanic workshops, coconut groves, tiare Tahiti flower growers, traditional and modern manufacturers, and spas that specialize in using monoï oil in their treatments. Information and maps for shopping in Tahiti can be provided by your Preferred Travel Professional or by your resort or cruise ship.

Carvings and Objects of Art

Marquesas islanders are experts at carving in any material (bone, wood or stone), in any size and for any use: decorative wood carvings, such as tiki carvings, statues, oars, clubs and puzzles, or utilitarian carvings, such as ‘ūmete (plates and bowls), penu (pestles), ‘ana (coconut graters), etc. Māmās in the Austral Islands excel in weaving and embroidery (purses, baskets, hats, mats and a variety of decorative items). The residents of the Tuamotus are experts at making all kinds of items from shells and mother-of-pearl (necklaces, vases, lampshades, a host of reproductions, etc.).

You can find these works in Papeete’s art galleries on permanent or temporary display.

Sarongs (Pareos), Clothing & Accessories

The sarong, or pareo, a word derived from the Tahitian word, pāreu, is a piece of cloth that is usually either painted or printed with flower patterns, often dried in the sun and found in every wardrobe. Both men and women wear the pareo on any occasion, whether at home, on the beach, at parties and during traditional ceremonies and cultural events. The pareo can be knotted in several different ways and serves as more than a garment. Local artists strive to outdo each other in creativity with colors, patterns and techniques. Polynesian designers have translated pareo patterns into original ready-to-wear fashion and accessory lines such as purses, belts and shoes.

A tifaifai quilt is a sheet of fabric that has been sewn with one or several patchworks. The whole quilt symbolizes love, affection, respect and consideration and is usually handcrafted by other family members and given to a couple at their wedding. Tifaifai quilts are a terrific Tahiti souvenir for newlyweds. Tifaifai quilts, along with bulk cloth and other woven textiles can be found at craft fairs or at the Municipal Market in Papeete.

Tattoos/TĀTAU

Why not bring back an indelible souvenir to remember an unforgettable trip? Polynesian tattoo artists are known for their art and creativity. Should you decide to get one, strict hygiene requirements are enforced on all the islands.

Other Tahitian Souvenirs

You can find postcards, posters, handsome photography books, calendars, keychains and other small objects for sale in souvenir and stationery stores. Postage stamps and other philatelic products are sold at Post Office branch, at the Mahina Philately Centre and online at www.tahitiphilatelie.pf

The Best Places to Buy Tahiti Gifts

The simple answer is everywhere. On Tahiti and the main islands frequented by tourists, you can find art galleries, souvenirs shops, bric-à-brac, crafts and artwork (carvings, paintings, etc.) from all the islands as well as typical Polynesian products. The Papeete municipal market is the ideal place to shop at the end of your stay to take home sarongs (pareos), baskets, works of traditional Polynesian art and a load of souvenirs. The two-story Vaima shopping center in the center of Papeete has a wide range of souvenirs, shops and galleries.

Hotel shops also have a large selection of souvenirs from The Islands of Tahiti. Local food products and cosmetics can be found in supermarkets, shops or, if you’re looking for beauty products, in pharmacies. You can also buy crafts directly from producers and craftspeople during your stay.

On other islands, like Rangiroa or Bora Bora, shopping means exploring a handful of specialty shops in the main towns. You’ll find in these quaint shops island-specific arts, crafts, jewelry, homewares and other locally made specialties that can only be found in The Islands of Tahiti.