Island Tat Evolve (tattoo)

Maddy was super kind, clean, and professional. Maddy heard what I was trying to describe and created the most beautiful tattoo, exactly what i had in mind. Thank you!! I will be coming back to add-on!

I flew across the country, and it was well worth the trip. Their manager Rosette made the entire booking process smooth. The shop is clean and has a relaxing atmosphere. They provide snacks, and a huge TV with wireless headphones while getting tattooed. Kiti did my piece, and in true Polynesian style made it something reflective of my personal story. He not only designs something custom to the client, but also free hands the design onto your body which in it of itself is an amazing skill that not many artists have. The line work and shading are immaculate. He also incorporated part of my Sri Lankan culture into the design, without disrupting the overall flow. Im already thinking about when I want to get more added on. Overall an awesome experience.

GREAT EXPERIENCE!I was so lucky to get my first tattoo with Josh at Island Tat. I flew from Colorado after I noticed his art and loved every tattoo I saw.The studio is beautiful, modern, clean, with a little museum of Polynesian artifacts. They welcome you warmly and show you their snacks and water. Yumm. Good start.Then, Josh spent quite a bit of time getting to know me and taking notes to create the PERFECT tattoo for me. Hes a great artist, very pleasant to be around, patient! He was able to bring to reality a vague tattoo I had been dreaming of for many years, but I never had the courage to actually try to get it done. When I met Josh, I understood immediately I made a good choice and that I was in great hands. Just to share an idea of his remarkable achievements, Josh is the official tattoo artist of a Polynesian king!After a 4-hour long session with Josh, I feel more myself, and so proud to carry this piece of art on my skin.Mahalo, Josh!

My wife and I flew in from Indiana just to get a tattoo with Kiti at Island Tat Evolve. We couldn’t be happier with our tattoos! Hospitality was top notch and the entire staff was super friendly during our 2 day session! Thank you so much!

Loved everything about this shop. Dont be fooled by the simple outside appearance because the inside was amazing! Suni was my artist and he was so patient and ensured that I got the design i wanted. Im pretty sure the drawing took longer then the tattoo itself! This was my 1st tattoo and Suni made the experience as comfortable as possible. I was even offered Netflix with headphones, water and snacks. He gave me exact instructions on aftercare and when i had questions the next day, he responded not with a text response, but with a phone call. That level of customer service means a lot. I dont like pain and it took me 3 years to work myself up to this tattoo. I waited 2 months for my appointment and it was totally worth the wait! I highly recommend.

I cant thank Island Tat enough for my first tattoo. As soon as I walked in the door I knew I picked the right spot to get my turtle tat done. I was greeted with warmth and was laughing within the first five minutes. Kendall was amazing and made me feel comfortable. He took his time in getting every detail just perfect. We chatted as he got to drawing and I gave him artistic freedom with some of the design. I sure am glad I did because he took every thing he learned about me and incorporated it into the most beautiful, inspiring, perfect piece. It is more wonderful than I ever thought possible and I walked out of there on cloud nine. Im so happy with everything about Island Tat and I love my tattoo beyond words.

I had journeyed from afar to come to this place that seemed like a nice place to get a poly tat, the first red flag I should have been attentive to is that the individual artists don’t make their own appointments. They have someone do that for them. Never thought poly tats were so bougie. With that said the First session went aight . The second session never happened because of they forgot about me the day of the appointment. If you live in SD this place is aight of a choice but if you live out of state, these tattoos aren’t that hard to get done you’ll actually probably save more money doing it in your home state as well.

Josh and everyone at Island Tat are so professional and create true masterpieces. The shop is clean and relaxing, and immediately you feel the aloha. Josh spent so much time developing his concept and making sure everything was just right, and I adore my sleeve! Josh is someone who loves and internalizes Polynesian culture, and someone who taps into their spirit to create a stunning visual representation of who you are inside. It wasn’t just a tattoo - it was an experience! Looking at any of his work you can see how crisp and clean the lines are. I did research for months and am so glad that I chose him. Kiti and John do amazing work as well - you won’t be sorry coming here!!

Drove all the way to San Diego from Utah to get tatted by Kiti and it was well worth the drive! I got tatted by an amazing artist and got to explore San Diego for the very first time!! I honestly didnt want to leave! Island Tat thank you for your amazing customer service and your great communication skills. This is definitely one for the books!@Kiti thank you again for the beautiful artwork its simple but so meaningful. I cant wait to head back for part two. If you want amazing artwork done dont take my word for it book your appointment with @Island TAT and I promise you wont be disappointed! Malo aupito.✊🇹🇴

We had an amazing experience with Josh at Island Tat. The tattoo my husband received meant so much to our family. Josh spent the time incorporating his mastery of tattooing into my husband’s leg piece and the end result was astonishing.Island Tat also went above and beyond to make us feel as comfortable as possible with both our kids present to watch their dad. It was truly an unbelievable experience and we will make the trip out to see them again very soon. For anyone that is looking for a tattoo shop that not only does flawless work, but shows how much they care for their art, I would highly recommend Island Tat.

Had a great experience there. Clean professional environment. My artist was Kiti. Real humble guy with great spirit and imagination. Got my first tattoo there this past week. Full arm sleeve and I had an incredible experience. If you are interested in island tattoos. This is the place to go.

Amazing experience and cant ask for better or more helpful artists. Josh is truly amazing and a perfectionist! Blew my expectations out of the water. I got a pretty large piece. Half chest, half back and half sleeve. Josh spent 14 hours back to back days and killed it. Will post pics when fully complete. Nothing but the best at this shop! Not much to say other then if you go anywhere else for poly work your nuts. The compliments I have gotten just in two days and it not shaded is off the charts.... mad love for these guys! John is an awesome guy as well. I didnt meet Sunni but I know he is just as tops.... trust me you wont be disappointed... Mahalo....:

You can not ask for a cleaner or nicer shop in San Diego. Island Tat has world class talent led by Josh Elsas. They get to know you, care about you and give you a beautiful permanent piece of artwork. Kiti, Kendall the whole team is amazing. Rosette in the office couldn’t be any sweeter. Just the very best in San Diego.

Came here for my first tattoo and I can easily say Josh is a true professional. He took his time to understand my story and who I was as a person to freehand my first tattoo. During my time there they provided me with Netflix and headphones to make sure I had a good experience. Ill forsure be back for another piece in the near future!

I used Kiti to get my first tattoo. I was very pleased with his patience with working with me to get the designed figured out and I was also very happy with the end result. Kiti is a very skilled artist.

The outside is a little scary- the inside is anything, but. This is the cleanest & most beautiful setting I’ve ever seen in a studio. The artist are very inviting. John worked with my daughter- she said he was very calm & chill. lots of Aloha, here. 🤙🏼

Love the vibe and the attention to Detail, Joshawa is the only artist that will ever tattoo my body. The entire design process, sitting, talking story, and finally getting inked was the best experience. 10 stars

Suni, when a client can feel your passion and emotion through the needle.......it is an amazing experience and I dont know how to really explain it, but for you......I will try.I sent my story of my life experience to help create my polynesian tattoo. My heritage is from Guam. I have seen many great artists but none really understood the traditions and meanings of the Island culture and I wanted the artist to be able to interpret my life story on my body with his skill and passion. Suni has this passion!After he read my story, he was able to draw my interpretation in his eyes, on my body in less than 30 minutes. Amazing!First session was the pain, the heartache and the tears.....the Lines. I felt every cut. It made me think of all the years I suffered.Second session came. I was reluctant to go back, but Suni made feel safe and comfortable. I was so scared because of the pain I endured before. However, this session was so peaceful. This was the calm after the storm, the shading. What does it mean when it feels so relaxing to you and you almost fall asleep?This artist, Suni, performed his magic and closed the heartache in my life. A session of calm, I felt relaxed, he even asked me if I fell asleep?If you are one of the lucky people to have this unique artist touch with his art...you will not be disappointed. I love you, Suni❤

Had a pretty cool experience here. Privacy is common here. The place takes cash AND credit card (just a personal bias for me that I tend not to trust store front businesses that are cash only as much as those that accept cards).My friends and I were getting some work done one by one, but normally the artist offers to put on youtube, pandora, or Netflix on a tablet while youre getting your tattoo done.This was my 2nd tattoo and it went really well and I certainly think the results were great

This establishment is without a doubt the best place I ever got inked. Other than loving the piece I got done, as soon as I stepped in, I felt a special kind of energy that made me feel welcome. These artists are experts of their crafts and I completely trust their abilities.

First tattoo here and the experience was excellent. Josh spent his time to understand what I was trying to get and why I was doing it. Will return here without a doubt and recommend others to pick this shop.

Kiti is the real deal, poly work unmatched from what Ive seen in my travels. Theres a reason why hes booked until nearly next year.

Very professional. Very happy with Joshʻs work. Very knowledgeable with Polynesian tattoo. Respectful. Highly recommend. Mahalo braddah josh. 🤙🏾 A Hui Hou!Ike..

Suni Lesu does amazing work! Freehands everything with crisp straight lines, and keeps the flow with the anatomy. Definitely going back to get more work done.

Friendly staff for customers and visitors alike. Some absolutely beautiful art.

Suni is a great guy and his tattoos are awesome! Always again!

Great shop- and Suni is an amazing artist! Would recommend them to anyone!

I got a whole back piece done, angel wings. It came out awesome. I refer everyone to Island Tat.

I have friends that have work done from this shop and its incredibly well done!

As always GREAT experience!!!! Suni you are the best brother!!!!! Thanks!!

Couldnt even find the place; super sketchy.

Nice & comfortable atmosphere. Highly recommended.

Authentic polynesian-islander tattoo shop.

Private exclusive professional