Wellington police still hope to find a missing diver alive.

The 24-year-old failed to return home after a free-dive the Makara Coast yesterday afternoon.

Police have recovered some of the New Plymouth man's diving equipment and have located his car.

Inspector Neil Banks said police want to hear from anyone who's seen seen the tall, athletic man with blonde, medium length hair.

He said today's search has been tough, particularly for those working onshore.

"Makara is a rugged piece of coastline. In terms of foot searching, it's very challenging. A lot of the bays and things are very difficult to climb down into."

Local fisherman Mark Blaikie dives off that part of the beach himself, and said it is a popular spot among divers.

"It's also quite isolated, so weather conditions limit the amount of fishing that can be done out there. When the weather is ok to get out, there tends to be quite a lot of sea life and food to be collected."

Mark Blaikie said it's not a good sign that the missing man's buoy and spear gun have been found.

"You usually carry a gun around with you in your hands, which is attached to a float line and a buoy. I'm not sure where they found it, whether it's been washed up on a beach or it's floating out there in the sea. It generally stays with the diver throughout his dive."