It is understood the 30-year-old man from Sydney was swimming at the northern end of the beach about 5.15pm when the alarm was first raised.

Two off-duty lifeguards fought strong currents to reach the man but, despite the help of emergency service personnel on the sand, he could not be revived.

Police, two ambulance crews and State Emergency Service personnel were at the scene.

Police took a blue bodyboard from the beach.