The Ice Cream Boat of St. Martin

Lily’s Ice Cream Boat in St. Martin serves cold treats daily to locals and tourists near Pinel Island.

There’s nothing like a nice cold ice cream cone on a hot day at the beach to cool your tongue. On the Caribbean island of St. Martin, you won’t have to go far to find some. In fact, it will come to you!

Lily’s Ice Cream Boat serves beach goers and seafarers near Pinel Island off St. Martin. Instead of the traditional ice cream truck jingle, the boat’s captain blows the horn. Children and adults alike come running (rather, swimming) to buy a sweet treat, much the way they did on American streets in the 90’s when ice cream trucks were incredibly popular.

However, most folks don’t need to hear the horn to start wading toward the boat–they’re already anxious for its arrival. The floating ice cream parlor’s captain, a dynamic entrepreneur named Lily, is well-known around Pinel Island. She’s out and about every day except Monday, handing out sweet frozen treats and chatting with locals and tourists.

Lily herself was once a tourist in St. Martin, until she decided to make the island her home. Originally from Normandy, France, she traveled around the world, sailing and spending a great deal of time at sea. While in the Mediterranean, she came across floating ice parlors and hoped to one day have one of her own. Eventually, she took up residency in St. Martin, and bought a boat to set up her ice cream shop! After buying a sub-zero freezer and some solar panels to power it, Lily purchased frozen treats from Caribbean sources and opened her ice cream boat up for business.

In addition, Lily fills orders for yacht in the area, bringing them staples such as milk and bread. She’s been in the business for about 6 years now, but has mentioned that it may not be a permanent gig. “I’d like to do this for maybe another couple years, then sail again to Tahiti,” she said.

Food boats in the Caribbean

Pizza Pi, the famous pizza-selling boat in the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Source: Pizza Pi)

As the food truck trend takes the West by storm on land, food boats are also growing in popularity in the Caribbean. For example, there’s a pizza boat in the U.S. Virgin Islands, aptly named “Pizza Pi”. It has done so well, it has become one of the highest rated restaurants in the country. Harbored in Christmas cove near St. Thomas, Pizza Pi consists of a floating restaurant with a small dining area aboard. They have an astonishingly extensive menu, and even offer gluten-free pies! And best of all, the tomato sauce is made fresh.

Want to visit Lily in St. Martin? Head to Pinel Island near Cul de Sac on the French side. You can find her cruising the island’s gorgeous turquoise waters every day except Monday, or contact her via VHF channel 77.

Here are 10 more reasons why you should visit this beautiful French/Dutch island.

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