Two bodies wash up on NSW beach following yacht disappearance

Two bodies found on a NSW beach are believed to be those of two men who went missing during a yacht trip.

The men, aged 71 and 77, had departed Brooklyn en route for Port Stephens on the state's north coast on Thursday afternoon.

They were expected to arrive around midday the following day, and had been in constant contact with family to advise their position.

However, contact was lost two hours out from their expected arrival time, and a search ensued shortly after, involving local police, water police, Pol Air, Marine Rescue NSW and the Westpac Life Saver Rescue helicopter.

Around 3.30pm, police located a body on Birubi Beach, and found a second body 30 minutes later.

The bodies were found alongside a fuel tank and a dinghy, believed to be from the yacht.

A spokesman from the Bureau of Meteorology said there were gale force winds in the area, which would have produced rough seas.

"Last night was not the best night to be out on the sea, unfortunately," he said.

Police have yet to formally identify the pair and are investigating.