Tributes for man who died after spear fishing tragedy at North Bondi

There have been tributes for a man who died after being pulled from the water while spear fishing at North Bondi on Thursday.

Louis Touma, 29, had been in the water with friends when he failed to surface.

He was pulled to shore amid efforts to revive him but he couldn't be saved.

People on Facebook shared tributes on an announcement of his death.

"I had the pleasure to know this gentleman," one person said.

"The man was as humble as they come. His life cut way too early."

Inspector Giles Buchanan said Touma was pulled from the water before his friends attempted CPR.

"The Toll Ambulance Helicopter's medical team landed on Bondi Beach, where they treated the man, along with NSW Ambulance intensive care and special operations paramedics," Buchanan said.

"This was a very traumatic experience for this man's friends and we commend their quick response in trying to assist their friend."