Sooner or later, every traveler asks themselves: what should I bring back as a gifts from Maldives for family, friends, or colleagues? Interestingly, Maldivian souvenirs are quite different from those at many other resorts. On the one hand, you won’t find an overwhelming variety; on the other, the gifts available often have a unique local flair.

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Gifts from Maldives: General Tips

Here are a few general things to know about souvenirs and souvenir shops in the Maldives:

  • Both US dollars and Maldivian rufiyaa are widely accepted in souvenir shops. In fact, many shops offer good exchange rates if you need to convert dollars on the spot. Everything about currency, which dollars to bring, where to exchange, and payment by card.
  • Haggling is not common. Prices are usually fixed. You might get a small discount if you’re buying several items, but don’t expect big negotiations like at Middle Eastern bazaars—a couple of dollars off at most.
  • Good to know: many souvenirs in the Maldives are handmade, and each shop often has its own unique designs—even the fridge magnets vary from store to store.
Gifts from Maldives
Wooden figurines like these are very popular gifts.

Where to Buy Souvenirs in the Maldives?

First, it’s important to understand the difference between staying at a private resort and on a local island:

  • Private Resort Islands: If you’re on a package tour staying at a private island resort, you’ll likely only have access to one small gift shop with limited choice and high prices.
  • Local Islands: Independent travelers on local islands have more options. Most of these islands have two or three souvenir shops, and I highly recommend buying your gifts there.
what to bring as a gift from Maldives
A typical souvenir shop on a local island—this is the best place to buy Maldivian gifts.

You can also shop for souvenirs in Malé, the capital. Many travelers spend a few hours there before their flight. If you plan to explore Malé, it’s a great place to buy souvenirs—the selection is good and prices are the lowest.

Here are a couple of good spots in Malé:

If you’re staying at a private resort without a shop, or simply don’t have time to visit Malé, your last resort (pun intended) is the airport. The selection is decent, but prices are significantly higher.

Male airport overview: duty-free, souvenirs, baggage storage, and much more.

Maldivian souvenirs prices
A fridge magnet for $25 at the airport. You can find cheaper ones, but overall, it’s better to shop before you get here.

What to Bring Back from the Maldives: Top Gifts & Prices

Now let’s go over the best souvenirs to take home from the Maldives. I won’t go into the obvious stuff—magnets, mugs, keychains, etc.—they’re widely available, starting from $3–4 on local islands, and going up to $25 at the airport.

1. Wooden & Ceramic Figurines of Manta Rays and Sharks

These two sea creatures are symbols of the Maldives and are commonly spotted while snorkeling or diving. Handmade and beautifully crafted, prices start at around $10 each.

Discover how to snorkel for free and spot mantas or sharks while in the Maldives with this guide on snorkeling.

wooden figures maldives
The selection of these figurines is vast, and most are handcrafted.

2. Clothing

Cotton t-shirts, dresses, and shorts in bright, tropical prints are very popular. Look for designs featuring sharks, mantas, and turtles. Prices start from $7 for a t-shirt.

3. Bondibaiy (Bondi) – Traditional Coconut Candy

This local sweet is made from coconut and cane sugar, wrapped in a banana leaf and shaped like a cigar. It’s a unique and tasty gift for friends or colleagues. Some say Maldivian bondi inspired the famous Bounty bar (“a taste of paradise”).

  • On local islands: $1–3 per piece.
  • In Malé Market: a pack of 14 costs $10–12.
maldivian bondi
Bondi is one of the most iconic Maldivian souvenirs

4. Dried Tuna Fillet

Tuna is the Maldives’ staple fish and is used in nearly every dish. Look for vacuum-packed dried tuna in shops or markets—delicious, unique, and perfect as a snack with beer back home.

  • On average: $6–10 per kilo (though dried tuna is light, so a kilo gives you plenty).
coconut bondi in maldives
Look for stalls like this one at the market—great for buying both bondi and tuna. You’ll find fillets whole or sliced; I personally prefer whole pieces.

5. Corals and Shells

It’s often said that you can’t take coral from the Maldives, but that’s only partially true. Export is allowed if you buy from a shop and get a receipt—especially for larger pieces. Small dead coral pieces found on the beach usually won’t cause any issues at customs. Prices for large coral decorations in shops range from $50–100.

souvenirs from maldives
Souvenir shops often have entire shelves dedicated to coral.

Important Note:

As a responsible traveler, it’s better not to buy coral—even dead pieces—since you don’t know how they were collected. Many believe that if tourists stop buying coral, shops will stop selling it. No demand, no supply—and coral stays in the ocean where it belongs.

Other Interesting Souvenirs

You’ll also find:

  • Small drums
  • Coral jewelry
  • Ashtrays
  • Various handmade trinkets

Since there’s no traditional shopping scene in the Maldives, souvenir shops are the only chance for shopaholics to indulge. All about shopping in the Maldives.

What You Can’t Bring Back—or Shouldn’t Bother Buying

This section covers banned items, gifts you won’t find, and things that simply aren’t worth bringing home.

  • Turtle Shell Souvenirs: Completely banned. Sea turtles are protected, and any item made from their shells is considered poaching.
  • Alcohol: You won’t find any national alcoholic beverages here. Unlike Cuba with its rum or Vietnam with its snake-infused liquor, the Maldives has no alcohol production at all—not even homemade brews. Stick to bondi and tuna.
  • Maldivian Cosmetics: Most beauty products sold here are imported from India or Malaysia—nothing particularly local.
  • Tea & Coffee: Please, no! The Maldives has zero plantations—95% of all food and goods are imported. Most tea here comes from neighboring Sri Lanka.
  • Fruits: The selection is poor. Locally grown fruits include coconuts, bananas, papayas, and pineapples. Occasionally, you’ll find imports like dragon fruit or passion fruit. But the Maldives is far from being a fruit paradise.
gifts from the maldives
This is a typical fruit selection in the Maldives. Honestly, my local store at home has three times the variety.

In Conclusion

The most popular Maldivian gifts are bondi coconut sweets, dried tuna, fridge magnets, and figurines of sharks and mantas—along with other items featuring these ocean creatures. While the selection isn’t huge, one big plus is the abundance of handmade souvenirs that are sure to delight your loved ones back home.

Resources to help you plan your dream trip to the Maldives

  • Flight tickets and the best deals

  • Vacation packages (from budget to luxury): CheapOair

  • Hotels and guesthouses on any island:
    • TripAdvisor compares prices among a dozen other services and platforms and offers to choose the best one.

    • Trip.com – the most popular service for booking accommodation.

  • 12go is the largest Asian ferry and speedboat reservation service. It gathers all Maldivian carriers, even the small ones that operate between local islands.

  • Tours and excursions: Viator – a limited selection of excursions, but convenient and reliable.

  • Comprehensive insurance: EKTA

  • eSIM at the same price as in telecom office in Male airport.