Swimmer attacked by shark off NSW nudist beach

A swimmer has been rushed to hospital after being mauled by a shark while in the water near Newcastle this morning.

The man suffered a bite wound to the upper right arm while swimming off Samurai Beach in Port Stephens about 7.20am.

He walked back to shore before ambulances were called.

He was conscious and alert, and paramedics were able to dress the wound on the beach.

The swimmer was then taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

An Ambulance NSW spokesperson told nine.com.au the wound was not life-threatening.

The beach was closed for much of the week after a sperm whale carcass washed ashore nearby, drawing a heavier shark presence than usual to the area.

The whale carcass was cut up and removed by National Parks and Wildlife yesterday.

Samurai Beach is known as a nudist beach, though it is not known if the swimmer was naked at the time of the attack.