Elderly man 'unsteady on his feet' before vanishing from Gold Coast beach

A search is underway for an elderly man who was "unsteady on his feet" before he vanished from a Gold Coast beach.

Witnesses saw the man enter the water on Mermaid Beach at around 6am this morning.

Police have released photos of his abandoned towel, hat and boots.

A ground, air and sea search is underway to locate the man.