Swede, Irishman missing from NSW beaches

An Irishman and a Swedish university student are missing after venturing into the surf at northern NSW beaches in the last five days.

A large search is underway for the 25-year-old Swedish exchange student who got into difficulty and disappeared at Smoky Cape Beach near South West Rocks on Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the family of 20-year-old Stuart Butler issued a statement saying they hoped he would be returned to them after he disappeared while surfing with mates near Byron Bay on Saturday.

Mr Butler's family thanked rescue teams and the local community who spent the weekend scouring the waters for him after he got caught in a rip near Tallows Beach.

"We'd like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you on behalf of Stuart's family both here and back in Ireland for the support we have received from the local community," a family spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

"We are full of hope that he will be returned to us and ask all to keep him in their thoughts and prayers."

The Swedish university student was on exchange from Sweden and had been camping with a friend.

It's believed he got into difficulty in the surf and his friend called police when he lost sight of him.

An air, land and sea search resumed at first light on Wednesday.