Search for boy, 5, to resume Friday

The search for a young boy missing off a NSW Central Coast beach has been wound down due to fading light.

Water police boats and divers will continue to search for the five-year-old in waters around Pearl Beach into Thursday evening, but aircraft have been recalled.

"Because of the darkness a lot of the resources can't be used," a police spokesman told AAP.

A full-scale search will resume on Friday morning.

The boy was swept into the surf about 1.50pm on Thursday.