A mystery for police in Gisborne, which involves a man possibly missing in the surf at Wainui Beach.

The man is thought to be around 20.

He was seen in a distressed state on the beach yesterday wearing only jeans, and there were fears he'd gone into the water.

The Maori male then went out of sight, and police were called because of fears he'd gone into choppy waters.

Coastguard and surf lifesavers searched for several hours but found nothing.

Police say they've had no reports of anyone actually missing, and there are no plans to search further at this stage.

They believe the man somehow left the beach unnoticed, and they're speaking further to witnesses.