A three-and-a-half-hour night search between Rabbit Island and A Beacon last night failed to find the source of lights that were spotted out to sea from the mainland.

Police were contacted regarding multiple sightings of green and yellow lights spotted around 1km from the shore at Omanu on Sunday evening.

TECT Rescue spent over three hours searching on Sunday evening following a possible flare sighting. Photo: File.

Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard Powercat TECT Rescue searched the area from around 8.30pm until midnight using thermal imaging and night vision equipment, but failed to locate any boats in trouble.

A coastguard spokesman contacted today says they were told it was a possible flare sighting and referred further inquiries to police.

Papamoa police say they received calls regarding the sighting, while fishermen on the beach told the authorities they thought the lights were fireworks.

A call was also registered from a man in Papamoa on Saturday night involving a similar sighting.