Search halted for missing Bondi swimmer

The search for a swimmer missing in dangerous swells at Sydney's Bondi Beach has been suspended.

Fading light has forced emergency services to call off until first light on Tuesday the search for the man who disappeared into white water.

A witness told AAP the man was standing on rocks close to the swell at south Bondi on Monday.

"He just jumped in when the waves were going out and when the waves came in again he went under and couldn't keep up," he said.

"Then he just disappeared."

The Westpac rescue chopper was called in, two surf lifesavers searched the area on a jet ski while a police helicopter, rescue crews and ambulance were also at the scene.