Police have named the man who went missing while swimming at a Wairarapa beach on Monday as Eroni Ravanga-Gaunavou.
At 5pm on Tuesday large swells forced the police dive squad out of the water and to end their search for the man.
Police ended their search because of bad light Monday night but continued on Tuesday with helicopters, dive teams and volunteers combing the water and shore.
Police say the 22-year-old was swimming with two friends off Akitio Beach when he went under and failed to resurface.
They are currently trying to notify this family.