Tauranga Police are reminding residents of the dangers of swimming whilst intoxicated after a man decided to go for an early morning swim in the Tauranga Harbour and became lost.

Two Coast Guard vessels were called to help search. Photo: file.

Emergency services, including Police Search and Rescue and two Coast Guard vessels, were called to help locate the missing German tourist at 3am on Sunday.

Senior Sergeant Carl Purcell says the man and his friend had been socialising in Tauranga City before entering the harbour at Dive Crescent in an attempt to swim across to Mount Maunganui.

'One of the males aborted the attempt and swam back to shore. When he could not locate his friend he raised the alarm.”

The second man was found wet and cold walking on Hewlett's Road just after 5am having completed the swim across the harbour.

Sergeant Purcell says the men told police they believed they had been followed and had jumped into the water for their own safety.

Police could find no evidence of the alleged followers and believe alcohol played a significant part in the two men's actions.

The search phase required significant police resources in a high demand period and police would like to remind the public of the dangers of swimming whilst intoxicated.