The vigil ended on Wednesday, when the last of three bodies was pulled from the water.

Chris Lewis, 19, and Scott Andrews, 34, both from Sydney, and Michael Wright, 38, from Sanctuary Point, had been missing since September 16, when their boat capsized during a late-night fishing expedition.

A fourth man, Matthew Dunn, was rescued by surf instructor Jerry Brown.

Locals of Erowal Bay have been moved by the daily sight of the men's families and friends keeping vigil by the shore.

The have been comforted by kind words from locals who have also done what they could to help in the search and support the grieving families.

It was clear they were still holding out hope, right until the end.

Theresa Glew is the partner of Chris Lewis, and is pregnant with their daughter.

The day after the men went missing she vowed not to return home until the men were found.

"I've got to think positive, I've got a beautiful little girl to look after," she said.

Even in those early days she appreciated small gestures from the residents of Erowal Bay.

"The community is doing everything they can and all that help makes it easier on us," she said.

Erowal Bay resident Dawn Barker said at first she avoided walking near where the family members sat waiting, for fear of intruding.

"If I saw one of the family members when I was going for a walk, I'd back off and come home," she said.

"When I went down the other day though, I approached one of the girls who had lost her partner.

"She said it was hardest not knowing. She just wanted closure," Ms Barker said.

"I just told her I was sorry, I rubbed her shoulder and even though I'm not religious I said I'd say a prayer for her. That gesture seemed to mean a lot to her.

"I think it helped because they were sitting out there and not talking much.

"Then the mother of one of the young men told me she'd lost her youngest son. I didn't know what to say to her."

Ms Barker said it was a relief the bodies had all been found.

"It's good for the families that the bodies were found, but it is still very sad and the families are devastated."

Loraine Mascaro, who has owned the Erowal Bay General Store for 27 years, said the tragedy had saddened everyone in the small village.

"It has been very sad - people have been coming in and talking about it, telling us they hoped the men were still alive.

"You could tell which people were the relatives, you could tell by the looks on their faces. I think everyone's heart has been out there with them.

"I'm pleased they were all found; at least now the families have some closure."

Mrs Mascaro said in her 27 years a number of people had drowned in the basin.