10 Best Souvenirs & Gifts From Wallis & Futuna

A traditional craft from Wallis and Futuna, tapa 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.

While gatu (giant tapa) are made as customary or religious offerings, some smaller tapa gifts we've seen include passport holders, notebooks and other accessories.

Where to buy: GIE Fatua (Mala'e, Futuna), Atuhakevalu (Gamua, Wallis), Association Femmes Artisanes Taofikemau (Aka'aka, Wallis) and more.

Intricately woven baskets, bags, fans, fine mats, earrings and more; it’s amazing the array of crafts Wallisian and Futunan women can weave using the fine fibres of the pandanus tree.

Also known as fala in Wallisian, there is a wealth of unique designs popping up in all sorts of hues and patterns.

Where to buy: Association Femmes Artisanes Taofikemau (Aka'aka, Wallis), Atuhakevalu (Alele, Wallis), GIE Fatua (Mala'e, Futuna) and more.

A traditional art form in Wallis and Futuna, wooden carvings are highly prized souvenirs.

You’ll find a wide variety of traditional carvings, from turtles to tanoa bowls used for drinking kava, but you can also find all sorts of practical items for modern-day uses, such as placemats and cutting boards.

Designs are usually inspired by the myths and legends of Wallis and Futuna’s ancestors, as well as drawing inspiration from the natural world of the South Pacific.

Where to buy: Atuhakevalu (Alele, Wallis), Veiogo Tapa (Lotoalahi, Wallis) and more.

You might not be able to pack these in your suitcase, but flower garlands are truly the beating heart of Wallis and Futuna.

Exclusively crafted by the island's women, flower garlands are a living art form and a way of life. You'll see locals wearing them everywhere: to work, important meetings and graduation!

The moment you step off the plane, you'll be enchanted by the sweet scent of tiaré blossom garlands. Better yet, there is an incredible variety of fragrant plants and flowers that exist nowhere else on earth. Locals tell us there are supposedly as many different flower necklace combinations as there are days in the year, with koli, mapa, pua, paogo, higano, heahea and hea being just some of the endemic flowers used for such creations.

Don't be surprised if someone offers you their own necklace during your visit. It's a genuine gesture of friendship and welcome that'll warm your heart.

Where to buy: You are more likely to be gifted a garland than to find one to buy.

A common handicraft necklace that you will be able to take home with you, shell necklaces are a common craft found in Wallis and Futuna.

Once its host has stopped adorning the shell, the shells make for colourful and attractive beads for jewellery, doing a fine job of capturing the islands' oceanic beauty.

As an extra tidbit, if you take a taxi boat to some of Wallis' motu, you'll find local ladies collecting shells.

Where to buy: Association Femmes Artisanes Taofikemau (Aka'aka, Wallis), Atuhakevalu (Alele, Wallis), GIE Fatua (Mala'e, Futuna), Futuna Airport Boutique (Vele, Futuna) and more.

100% grown and processed in Wallis and Futuna, tuitui (candlenut) and coconut oils make perfect gifts for yourself or loved ones back home.

Tuitui oil is cold-pressed candlenut oil that has been used by locals for generations. This golden, nutrient-dense treasure is renowned for its intense moisturising and skin-healing properties.

Meanwhile, coconut oil is another fantastic souvenir option that's incredibly versatile. You can use it to hydrate your skin or add it to your cooking back home, and you'll find it available in a range of products that make excellent gifts.

Where to buy: Association Femmes Artisanes Taofikemau (Aka'aka, Wallis), Atuhakevalu (Alele, Wallis), GIE Fatua (Mala'e, Futuna) and more.

Looking for the perfect souvenir that's both practical and beautiful? You'll absolutely love a kie, the local sarong that's also known as manou in French.

What makes these special in Wallis and Futuna is that they're hand-painted with gorgeous tropical designs bursting with colour.

They are also incredibly versatile: tie one nicely and you've got the perfect outfit for formal occasions, or simply throw it on as a stylish cover-up after a day at the beach.

From what we've experienced, a kie makes for one of those souvenirs you'll actually use long after your trip ends.

Where to buy: Association Femmes Artisanes Taofikemau (Aka'aka, Wallis), Atuhakevalu (Alele, Wallis), Faleafe (Ono, Futuna), YKA Créations (Mala'efo'ou, Wallis) and more.

We're big fans of Tagaloa's jams and snacks for authentic local souvenirs that'll remind you of your trip long after you've returned home.

Their locally made confitures showcase the island's tropical bounty with flavours like orange, carambole, kafika and papaya.

Pro tip: if you want to sample the full range before buying, book a night at Lausikula Guest House where they serve all the different jams with a fresh baguette for breakfast (a delicious way to start your day!).

Don't miss their crispy banana chips, a healthy local snack that's perfect for munching on the plane ride home. Tagaloa also produces breadfruit flour and manioc flour, which are fantastic for gluten-free baking if you're into experimenting with local ingredients back home.

They also stock local honey, though unfortunately, visitors from New Zealand and Australia won't be able to bring this particular treasure home due to customs restrictions.

Where to buy: SEM Supermarché (Mata'Utu, Wallis) and more.

Take home a taste of one of the world's most remote breweries with a bottle from Brasserie Wallis et Futuna.

Choose from three signature local brews: the robust "1966" Belgian-style double ale commemorating Wallis's first international rugby match, the refreshing blonde "Tokalei" featuring Jacques Chirac in traditional flower garlands on its distinctive label, or the smooth citrusy "Oceania" white beer.

Each bottle represents authentic Pacific craftsmanship from a tiny brewery producing just 3,000-4,000 litres annually in splendid isolation.

The quirky labels and local naming make these bottles perfect conversation pieces, while the unique brewing location, literally thousands of miles from the nearest competition, adds genuine rarity to your collection.

Where to buy: Brasserie Wallis et Futuna (Halolo, Wallis)

Being a French territory, Wallis and Futuna offers a delightful opportunity to stock up on authentic French confectionery that's surprisingly hard to find elsewhere this far from Paris.

You'll discover classic LU biscuits like "Petit Écoliers" and "Prince" cookies that French families have been enjoying for generations. These buttery treats are perfect for sharing back home or savouring during your island adventures.

The local shops also stock beloved European chocolate brands, including Milka, Côte d'Or, and those irresistible Haribo gummies. Don't overlook BN biscuits either; these cream-filled delights are a French childhood staple.

However, be mindful of biosecurity restrictions when travelling home. Countries like New Zealand and Australia have strict import rules, so whilst you might be tempted by that gorgeous French pâté, it's unlikely to make it through customs. Stick to sealed, commercially packaged sweets and biscuits for the safest souvenir bet.

Where to Buy: SEM Supermarché (Mata'Utu, Wallis), Interwallis (Mata'Utu, Wallis), SERF (Nuku, Futuna) and just about any supermarket or convenience store in Wallis and Futuna! Check out A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Wallis & Futuna to learn more.