An ambulance spokesman said paramedics received a call at 10.15am that a man was unconscious in the water.

Local surfers pulled the 32-year-old bodyboarder from the water and a doctor at the scene performed CPR until paramedics arrived and performed first aid. 

A rescue helicopter was brought in to transport the man to hospital but he died at the scene.

Police said they believed the man was from the Shellharbour suburb of Flinders. They will prepare a report for the NSW Coroner.