Missing NSW yachtsman found onshore

A man who was thought to have fallen off a yacht that was found drifting off the NSW north coast has been found alive onshore.

The 48-year-old Tasmanian man's yacht, known as FireFly, was found on Tuesday in waters just off Samurai beach, a popular nudist spot in Port Stephens.

Police had held grave fears for the man, who would have been unlikely to survive a fall because of the water conditions.

The discovery sparked an extensive air and sea two-day search as it was believed he was living on the yacht and had fallen overboard.

But once the man heard reports of the search in the media, he attended Newcastle Police Station on Thursday at midday to tell authorities he was safe.