Updated 1.33pm: A body has been recovered from a beach north of Gisborne, and the search is continuing for another man still missing.

The dead man, in his early 20s, was fishing with two other men when he disappeared in the surf at Makorori Beach earlier this morning.

The third man reached the shore without injuries.

It is believed the men were staying at a camp ground nearby.

They had their longlines out and decided to go for a swim.