Police call off search for missing NQ man

The search for a missing Cairns man has been called off, with police saying there's little chance he's still alive.

Garry Amey, 60, was last seen sunburnt and acting strangely on Kewarra Beach 10 days ago.

Senior Constable Russ Parker told AAP it was likely he had perished in the water, but there was no evidence to support speculation he might have been taken by a crocodile.

"We believe he'd been at the beach all day," he said.

"His behaviour was such that several people who didn't know him checked on him."

Police believe Mr Amey had recently learnt he was suffering from a medical condition.

A missing person investigation will continue but the search involving police and 30 SES volunteers was called off on Tuesday.