A diller, a dollar.....Why Sanibel Island may be as appealing later in the day!

A diller, a dollar,
A ten o'clock scholar,
What makes you come so soon?
You used to come at ten o'clock,
But now you come at noon.

Perhaps we are dating ourselves with this Mother Goose rhyme, and perhaps our readers may not even recognize it. 

But the implied disparagement at the late riser, late arriver, presumably at the school room, may not apply to our rental guests on the Island.

Yes, we know that an early morning on Sanibel summer days is definitely a bit cooler.

And we readily admit that the best birding on Island takes place at the crack of dawn.

But those two considerations aside, there are some inherent advantages to a later day start.

First and foremost, let's face it: you are on vacation.  If your internal rhythm croons sleep, sleep, sleep at 7 a.m., you should listen to it.  It is the best time in your year to ignore the light of day and close your eyes again.  There is no boss awaiting your check-in at your desk, no call you absolutely must make, no deadline pressing you to the computer.  If for no other reason then change of pace, you are entitled to a longer bed time and the Island is quiet enough to assure not only a good night's sleep, but an uninterrupted one.

Second, there are certain things to do on Island that are not available when the rooster crows, or more aptly when the pileated wood pecker starts rapping at the palm tree.  Boat trips to Sanibel's little neighbors like Useppa Island and Cabbage Key, do not leave dock until 10 a.m. or after.  And many cruises are sunset cruises, giving you all day to wake up and stretch your legs.

Off island, the Ford and Edison Estates do not open until 10 a.m. and on island, the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum does not open until 10 a.m.

So waking at 9 and enjoying a leisurely breakfast in your rental or at one of the Island eateries will start you day off with a pace most appropriate for a tropical island.  And we are accustomed to late breakfast diners on Island.  Amy's Over Easy Cafe, one of the best stops for your morning fuel, serves "breakfast" until 3 p.m.!  Even if you are not hungry enough for a full breakfast, Dolce Tesoro dishes up some of the best coffee and the most delicious cupcakes with the doors opening at 10 a.m.

And, honestly, the sun will be waiting for you.  No need to head to the beach at sunrise unless you really want to see the special view.  If you hit the sand at noon you will get more sun and more tan than you could ever ask for.

In our book, while we do see some advantages for an early rise, the early bird motto is a bit over-rated!