Man drowns at notorious Wollongong beach

A 61-year-old man has drowned at a notoriously dangerous beach near Wollongong, south of Sydney.

The man was seen struggling in the water at Puckey's Beach at about 5.45pm on Tuesday before he was dragged out by police and other beachgoers, a police spokeswoman told AAP.

He died at the scene.

The unpatrolled beach is well-known for dangerous currents and hidden rock shelves with multiple drownings occurring in recent years.