Three swimmers die in separate drownings at unpatrolled NSW beaches

Three swimmers have died in separate incidents at unpatrolled beaches in northern New South Wales.

Three brothers believed to be in their 20s were pulled from the water at Saltwater Beach, 18 kilometres south-east of Taree, on the Mid North Coast just before 2pm yesterday, but one could not be revived.

Hours later at the northern end of Stockton Beach, near Newcastle, another three men also in their 20s were pulled from the water by members of the public after getting caught in a rip.

A rescue helicopter and an emergency on-call lifesaving team were sent to the remote location, but one man could not be saved.

NSW Police Acting Inspector Wes Taylor said the situation was "confronting for all involved".

"It affects the community, not just our emergency services, but people that are frequenting those areas," he said. 

Another man in his 50s was rescued from the water at Cabarita on the state's Far North Coast on Saturday but later died in hospital.

The fatalities bring the number of drowning deaths across the state since July to eight.

The three drownings come amid a warm start to spring, which has seen beachgoers take to the water well ahead of the official surf lifesaving patrol season, scheduled to start on September 26.

Surf Lifesaving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said the number of incidents over the weekend was an "unprecedented spike" and a sign of things to come.

"This is indicative of what we're going to see this summer, which is forecast to be extremely hot," he said.

"I can't remember a time when we've had this many drownings before we get into summer.

"We know it's going to be incredibly busy for our volunteer lifesavers and all lifeguards."

According to the National Drowning Report, compiled by Royal Lifesaving and Surf Lifesaving Australia, the number of drowning deaths across NSW declined in the 2025-26 reporting period, but the figures still remain 9 per cent above the 10-year average.

The total number of drownings across the state during the reporting period totalled 109 with men making up about eight out of every 10 drownings. 

Mr Pearce said the latest fatalities should serve as a reminder that people should swim at patrolled areas.

"These three tragedies, which will now ripple across so many families, [are] a message to others that there is a big danger in swimming at locations where there [are] no lifesavers or lifeguards on duty," he said.