The not-so-secret secret is out – Mount Maunganui is nothing short of a little slice of heaven.

Recently, Canadian website The Loop published an online article describing the Mount as a quintessential Kiwi experience which would make visitors forget 'the Caribbean ever existed”.

Mount Maunganui – way better than the Caribbean according to a Canadian website. Photo: File

In the article, Toronto-based Kiwi writer Kat Tancock singles out five ‘must dos' all visitors should experience when making a trip to the Mount.

They includes hiking up and around Mauao, enjoying the beach and surf, indulging in the local cuisine and drink, and walking around barefoot whenever and wherever possible.

Speaking to Stuff.co.nz, Kat says she spent some of her childhood in the town before moving to Canada.

'My mother used to go there on vacations as a child, as did her parents before her I believe, and I have family in the area. I've got my eye on an old bach with a massive yard on Marine Parade,” she says.

'My point with the story was to let people know that beach culture is an essential part of the Kiwi experience and that it's worth folding it in with the other aspects of their trip.”

Kat also ponders whether next summer will see accommodation in the Mount snaffled up by Canadian tourist before locals can get a chance to.

'I guess we'll have to wait and see for next summer.”

To read the full article visit The Loop website.

– stuff.co.nz