10 Unique Souvenirs to Pick Up in the Bahamas

Conch is much more than just one of the most popular foods in The Bahamas. Its pale pink shell along with the rare pearls found inside are polished and crafted into jewellery sold in many souvenir shops and stores across the islands. Pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings are available in many styles for men and women.

This delicious Bahamian cuisine will make you want to take a taste of The Bahamas home with you. In the local food and supermarkets, you will find jars of tropical-flavoured jams and jellies. Guava jelly and pineapple jam are among the flavours Bahamians most love.

The Junkanoo carnival is the most anticipated national celebration in The Bahamas. The streets are decorated with people wearing vibrant costumes, headdresses and masks during the parade. Memorabilia from the carnival is replicated and sold in gift shops across the islands all year. You’ll also find Junkanoo-themed paintings, ornaments, jewellery and much more.

Handcrafted wood carvings are sold in markets and gift shops across the island. In the markets, especially, vendors make and sell various carved ornaments and useful items, such as carved bowls or decorative items in the shape of marine creatures found in Bahamian waters.

This local handicraft makes the perfect gift for children and can be used as charming decorations around the house. Along with the popular straw and rag dolls, pine-seed dolls, made from the native Bahamian pine tree, are also sold in the markets. Each kind of doll is crafted, painted and decorated uniquely.

The brightly coloured batik fabric is used to make clothing, table linens and accessories and are found in almost every classic Bahamian household. The fabric is sold by the yard in markets across the island, especially in Andros.

At Nassau Straw Market and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, you’ll find some of the largest selections of straw items anywhere in The Bahamas. Straw vendors in The Bahamas make a range of products including baskets, hats, purses and so much more. Pick up a colourful wide straw hat to shelter from the blazing Bahamian sun, or grab a cute customised purse to carry around.

The conch shell is one of the multifunctional gems of the sea. Craftsmen in The Bahamas have found ways to polish and paint the shells to create conch shell serving bowls with matching spoons. These items are among the most interesting for guests and can also be used as decoration in your home.

Artisans in the Bahamas carve the husks of coconuts to create unique pieces that resemble various animals, sea creatures and other ornaments. These sculptures make the perfect stand-out item in your home.

Jewellery makers and craftsmen in the Bahamas create a wide selection of beautiful accessories with pendants and charms that mimic the scales of a fish. These accessories include bracelets, necklaces and rings and are sold in gift shops across the island, as well as in the Bahamian craft markets.