Whether you’re heading home from your holidays or just want to bring a slice of island life back with you, picking the right Vanuatu Souvenirs is a beautiful way to keep the memories alive. From handmade treasures to edible delights, Vanuatu offers a rich variety of keepsakes that support local artisans, celebrate culture, and tell the story of your tropical getaway.
Here are some of our favourite Vanuatu souvenirs to look out for:
1) Traditional grass bag
Weaving plays a huge part in Vanuatuan culture. It is used to create everything from wall panels in traditional building construction to baskets for transporting produce. It’s a craft shared by both men and women and passed down through generations with pride.
Most weaving is done from fibrous pandanus leaves, carefully woven into bags, fans, hats, and mats. But these aren’t just souvenirs—they represent an essential part of daily life in Vanuatu. The patterns and colours vary, with some designs unique to the specific island they come from, making each piece unique.
These woven items are not only beautiful and practical, but also sustainable, making them ideal for any budget and a great way to support local craftsmanship. You’ll usually find them at the Mama’s Markets in Espiritu Santo and Port Vila, or conveniently at the airports. The Torba Handicraft collective also have a great collection.
Before packing any grass-woven items for travel, make sure to treat them for bugs. The easiest method is to place the item in a sealed plastic bag. Spray it with insect spray or leave it in the freezer for 24 hours. After that, gently shake or tap it to ensure any unwanted hitchhikers are gone.
2) Island Dress, Shirt, or Sarong
Although the kastom clothing of Vanuatu largely consisted of grass skirts and loin cloths, when missionaries arrived in the 1830’s they introduced a more European looking ‘island dress’. With puffy sleeves, lace and a breezy style.
As more of the islands converted to christianity women began to adopt the more modest garment in their own vibrant patterns. Today the island dress is a symbol of national pride in Vanuatu. You will see them for sale in every other store, in supermarkets and market stalls.
Admittedly the dresses may not appear the most flattering for those used to western fashion, however are very practical. Many mammas also have started making simpler, more modern designs in the same colourful fabric. Shirts and sarongs are also a good option for some very useful Vanuatu Souvenirs. Plus, you don’t have to declare it!
Feeling crafty? If you have some sewing skills the grab a few metres of colourful calico and come up with your own creation.
3) Wood & Soapstone carvings
The Pacific Islands are well known for their beautiful wood and soapstone carvings, and Vanuatu is no exception. It’s common to find a wide variety of masks, figurines, and statues for sale, with the most iconic being the Tam Tam—a wooden slit drum traditionally used in kastom dances and to call gatherings. One of which is in Will Smith’s home!
Vanuatu Souvenirs like these are a wonderful way to remember and respect the countries rich culture. If you have more time, you can even ask a local craftsman to create custom pieces for you, such as cutting boards, spoons, or salad bowls.
A quick tip: Some countries—Australia in particular—can be strict about importing wood products. Before you leave, carefully check your carvings for any signs of wood borer holes, as their presence could result in your item being confiscated at customs.
4) Handmade Jewellery
Most jewellery you will find in Vanuatu is made from natural materials, for example carved natangora pod, coconut shells and seashells. With many of the designs also inspired by nature – think curved horns, starfish, flowers and leaves.
As such these beautiful pieces are usually fairly inexpensive. They are easily packable and often come pre- treated so that they don’t cause a problem with customs.
If you struggle to find any in the mammas markets, a craftsman on Espiritu Santo named Moses Alek has a beautiful collection to choose from. You can contact him on +678 5371154.
5) WWII Coca Cola bottle (or Sea-glass)
One of my favourite and cheapest souvenirs you can get in Vanuatu, particularly Espiritu Santo, is sea-glass. For those that don’t know about the history here, Espiritu Santo was the largest American military base in the Pacific during WWII.
At that time the Americans used to import Coca-Cola to keep morale high for the soldiers. However when the war was over and they departed the islands, hundreds of these now vintage coke bottles were abandoned in the jungles and waters.
Today the beaches of Vanuatu, particularly around Million Dollar Point and the SS President Coolidge, are littered with white, green and blue sea-glass. Sometimes you may even be lucky enough to find one still intact! Just be sure to source them ethically—don’t remove anything from dive sites or war relics directly. But if you don’t feel like treasure hunting, Coca Cola bottles are also available for purchase from places like the WWII museum in Luganville.
Either way, whether whole or in pieces, they make a particularly stunning, and increasingly rare souvenir.
6) Kava Powder
Kava is a huge part of the culture in the Pacific Islands and apparently the best Kava comes from Vanuatu! For those that have not tried it before it is a bitter, earthy drink which has sedative effects when consumed. Although it may not be everyones cup of tea, it sure makes for some interesting Vanuatu souvenirs for your family and friends to try back home.
Of course travelling with Kava root is prohibited in many countries. However most places will allow you to bring in instant Kava power which you can usually find in supermarkets and resorts. Make sure to check the regulations of your home country before travelling.
7) Vanuatu Coffee/Chocolate/Spices
Unbeknownst to some, Vanuatu’s main industry is Agriculture. The tropical climate makes a great place to grow a wide variety of products like turmeric, pepper, vanilla, coconuts, cocoa and coffee, to name a few.
So some useful and easy to source Vanuatu souvenirs to bring home are some local produce. Coffee beans and chocolate being the easiest to find and travel with. You can usually find Vanuatu made products in local supermarkets. Our favourites being:
8) Vanuatu Liquor & Spirits
Believe it or not Vanuatu have their own brewing company called the 83 islands distillery. Now beer may not be one of the best Vanuatu souvenirs but they also make delicious liquors and spirits. All made and flavoured with local ingredients.
You can usually find these in the supermarkets. Or head to the tusker office to buy it straight from the source! Whilst you’re there you could also grab yourself a tusker t-shirt for an easy gift.
Our Best Vanuatu Souvenirs Recommendations …
Alongside these fun Vanuatu Souvenirs you can of course still find your usual trinkets like fridge magnets and bottle openers. But if you are looking to take a piece of the true Vanuatu back home with you then these are our best recommendations.
All of these items you should be able to find relatively easily in mamas markets, supermarkets and Vanuatu souvenir shops. But if you are on Espiritu Santo or in Port Vila when the cruise ships come in, head down to the docks and you will also find a great selection.
When shopping around, also keep your eye out for the ‘Vanuatu Made’ logo which can let you know if something is locally produced.
So which one would you choose? We would love to hear your feedback and new ideas to share our love of Vanuatu. And if you are already in Vanuatu and struggling to find any of the items mentioned here, please don’t hesitate to reach out and we can help point you in the right direction.
