Eighty-five people required first aid from the Port Macquarie-Hastings Australian Lifeguard Service, while four emergency call outs were made for unpatrolled locations and after-hours response.

During the month, two ambulances were also required and 1431 preventative actions performed.

Port Macquarie lifeguard supervisor James Turnham said there had been less water related incidents because of a lack of hazardous surf.

"It has been a generally quieter month when compared to January last year. Even though it was warm and dry, surfing conditions were quite poor," he said.

"We experienced no hazardous surf warnings in our area during the month leading to less water related incidents.

"Preventative actions undertaken by lifeguards have also helped on many occasions, potentially avoiding a more serious case."

Mr Turnham said there were continual concerns from lifeguards about peopling taking unnecessary risks.

"The Town Beach Breakwall remains our biggest concern in the area, with many people not obeying warning signage," he said.

"Swimmers and inexperienced surfers continue to take the risk leading to many lifeguard assists as well as after-hours emergency call-outs and public rescues.

"If you see someone in difficulty in the water, dial triple zero immediately to advise emergency services including surf rescue response. 

"It is not advised to enter the water to assist without a flotation device."

A pulsing swell over the weekend had contributed to tricky conditions but did wash out some of Port's red weed, according to Mr Turnham.

"The southerly did clean up a lot of the red week, but probably not enough to wash it all out," he said.

"We're forecast to get a pretty decent southerly swell from Sunday, there could be some decent swell then."