A 72-year-old British tourist died after being swept away by strong currents at the Kariega main beach at Port Alfred on Monday, Eastern Cape police said.

"He went out to the Kenton on Sea beach with family and friends around 10am. Two of the people he had been swimming with exited the water and on looking back, they realised that the man and a 47-year-old woman were in trouble," said Captain Mali Govender.

He said the pair managed to rescue the woman, while the man was swept away by the current.

It was only when police and the National Sea Rescue Institute arrived at the scene that the man was spotted about 10m from where he drowned.

"Attempts to revive the victim were unsuccessful," Govender said.

Sapa