What Can You Buy in Samoa: A List of Samoa Crafts and Souvenirs
Forget “Made in China”. Samoa is home to talented craftspeople creating an array of clothing, jewellery, artwork, skincare and more. With a generous mix of traditional crafts and Polynesian-inspired designs implemented on contemporary accessories, there’s something for anyone that wants to get their “shop on” in Samoa. Discover more about what you can buy in Samoa and the stories behind them in this list of the best souvenirs in Samoa.
1. Siapo Paintings
A traditional craft from Samoa, siapo is a canvas made from the flattened bark of a mulberry tree. These canvases are then painted with an array of island-inspired patterns and designs, typically using a hand-carved stencil and naturally derived paints, which is why you’ll only ever see black, brown and red colours used. Learn more about painting your own piece of siapo in the 15 Best Cultural Activities in Samoa.
Where to buy: Siapo Demonstration (Palauli, Savai’i), Fugalei Market (Apia), Savalalo Flea Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i), Janet’s (Apia), Pacific Jewell (Apia), The Vanya Taule’alo Gallery (Apia) and more.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com2. Pandanus Fibre Baskets, Bags, Fans and Fine Mats
Intricately woven baskets, bags, fans, fine mats, earrings and more; it’s amazing the array of crafts Samoan women can weave using the fine fibres of the pandanus tree. There are a wealth of unique designs popping with all sorts of hues and patterns.
Where to buy: Fugalei Market (Apia), Savalalo Flea Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i), Janet’s (Apia, Taumeasina, Tanoa Tusitala & Faleolo Airport), Pacific Jewell (Apia), The Vanya Taule’alo Gallery (Apia), Samoa Lokostyle (Apia & Faleolo Airport) and more.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com3. Lavalava
Take a piece of iconic Samoan attire home with you by purchasing one of the islands’ lavalava (sarongs). Coming in all sorts of colours and patterns, there’s something to suit both males and females. Lavalava sold in Samoa is typically hand-block printed, whether it’s through traditional means with hand-carved wooden stencils or more modern techniques such as rubber stencils.
Where to buy: Fugalei Market (Apia), Savalalo Flea Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i), Janet’s (Apia, Taumeasina, Tanoa Tusitala & Faleolo Airport), Pacific Jewell (Apia), Plantation House (Apia), Eveni Carruthers (Apia, Salelologa & Faleolo Airport), Samoa Lokostyle (Apia & Faleolo Airport) and more.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com4. Coconut Jewellery
The coconut palm is often referred to as the “tree of life” here on the islands, providing food, building materials, beauty products (more on that later), and fabulous jewellery. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more: there are numerous designs made from coconut shells, whether they are painted or polished to perfection.
Where to buy: Fugalei Market (Apia), Savalalo Flea Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i), Janet’s (Apia, Taumeasina, Tanoa Tusitala, Faleolo Airport), Pacific Jewell (Apia), Plantation House (Apia), Samoa Lokostyle (Apia & Faleolo Airport) and more.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com5. Hand-Block Printed Island Shirts, Kitchen Towels and More
Inject a bit of “island time” into your life with the vibrant designs of Samoa’s printed apparel. There’s an abundance of shirts and dresses, again, usually hand-block printed with tropical designs that can’t help but put a smile on your face. If you’re not flamboyant enough to wear these designs, don’t worry, you can take a piece of Samoan print home in more conservative forms, like kitchen towels, purses, bed sheets and more.
Where to buy: Janet’s (Apia, Taumeasina, Tanoa Tusitala, Faleolo Airport), Pacific Jewell (Apia), Le-Ata (Apia), Eveni Pacific (Apia & Salelologa, Savai’i), MENA (Apia), Tanoa Samoa (Apia), Plantation House (Apia), Fugalei Market (Apia), Savalalo Flea Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i), Samoa Lokostyle (Apia & Faleolo Airport) and more.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com6. Coconut Oil Beauty Products
Pamper yourself with the natural body and skin care products of Samoa! You’ll find all sorts of locally made lotions and potions in Samoa, mostly deriving from natural virgin coconut oil. One of the biggest brands on the islands is Mailelani, which boasts a range of handmade soaps, coconut oils, body lotions, balms and facial scrubs all made with ethically sourced coconut oil, beeswax, koko (cocoa) butter, turmeric and more. Misiluki is another local skincare brand to look out for.
Where to buy: Mailelani Gift Shop (Apia), Janet’s (Apia, Taumeasina, Tanoa Tusitala, Faleolo Airport), Niu Pharmacy (Apia), Fugalei Market (Apia), Savalalo Flea Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i) and more.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com7. Carvings
A traditional art form in Samoa, wooden and bone carvings are highly prized souvenirs. You’ll find a wide variety of traditional carvings of ‘ava bowls, hook pendants and weapons, but you can also find all sorts of practical items for modern-day uses, from coasters to pestle-and-mortar sets. Designs are usually inspired by the myths and legends of Samoa’s ancestors, as well as drawing inspiration from the natural world of the South Pacific.
Where to buy: Fugalei Market (Apia), Savalalo Flea Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i), Janet’s (Apia, Taumeasina, Tanoa Tusitala & Faleolo Airport), Pacific Jewell (Apia), Samoa Lokostyle (Apia & Faleolo Airport) and more.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com8. Shell or Pandanus ‘Ula
‘Ula (leis or necklaces) can be made in a range of natural materials but most commonly in Samoa, from shells or the segments of pandanus fruit. The latter is called an ‘ulufala and is traditionally worn by a tulafale (orator chief). The bright red colour you see them painted is to indicate the highest rank.
Where to buy: Fugalei Market (Apia), Savalalo Flea Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i), Janet’s (Apia) and more.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com9. Samoan Drinks
Of course, food and drink are usually a safe bet for gifting or a good way to treat your senses to the tastes of Samoa once you’ve returned home. Due to your home country’s biosecurity regulations, you might have to be choosy on which drinks you can bring back, but some suggestions that are usually safe include koko Samoa paste, Vailima or Taula beer, kofe beans and Samoa Whisky. Learn more about these beverages in the 14 Drinks in Samoa You Have to Try.
Where to buy: Fugalei Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i), Faleolo International Airport (Upolu) and most supermarkets and convenience stores.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com10. Samoan Snacks
In the same vein as the point above, Samoa also produces a lot of its own snacks, including biscuits like keke saiga, taro or breadfruit chips and koko chocolate, which are some of the Samoan snacks that will travel the best (you might want to put the chips in a hard container though!) See more Samoan snacks listed in the 20 Foods to Try in Samoa. Plus, for more tips on taking food from Samoa overseas, check out Leaving Samoa: Departure Tips & Checklist.
Where to buy: Fugalei Market (Apia), Salelologa Market (Savai’i), Faleolo International Airport (Upolu) and most supermarkets and convenience stores.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comMore About Souvenirs in Samoa
Now that you know some of the amazing island crafts and souvenirs you can purchase in Samoa, here’s more information on the places to buy them:
- The Guide to Shopping in Samoa + The Best Places to Shop
- The Best Places to Buy Souvenirs in Samoa
- 8 Best Markets in Samoa
Finally, add more activities beyond shopping to the bucket list using the 101 Best Things to Do in Samoa: The Ultimate List. Plus, work out all the logistics of planning a Samoa getaway in The Best Samoa Travel Guide.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Samoa and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Samoa Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Tourism Authority Corporate (Tourism news - Updated [2024])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Hotels Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Meteorological Division (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Customs & Revenue (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Land Transport Authority (Tourist driver’s license info - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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