Swells hamper rescue effort for yachties off Tonga

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand is coordinating the search for two sailors missing in Tongan waters. Photo / Thinkstock

Large swells threaten to hamper plans for a land search for two men missing after their yacht was wrecked off a Tongan island last week.

Two full days of aerial and on-water searches have so far failed to find the two Australian men, both in their sixties, whose 50ft Bavaria yacht broke up after it ran aground on Thursday.

The pair contacted a relative in Victoria via satellite phone, and an emergency locator beacon was activated at the same time, about 10.30pm.

The yacht's wreckage was found on Friday but extensive searching on the water, as well as an aerial search of over 191 square nautical miles by a RNZAF P3 Orion, failed to find the men.

Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand said an attempt to search the island of Late, west of the island of Vava'u, will be made today.

A search team by locals familiar with the island was called off yesterday due to high swells and 3m swells around the volcanic island today threaten to again prevent search teams from landing ashore.

RCCNZ search and rescue mission coordinator John Dickson said it was important a comprehensive search of the island was done to rule out the possibility the men had made it ashore and were waiting for assistance.

"However, we can't put our search teams in danger. They will only land ashore if the conditions permit - at the moment it's looking too rough but hopefully the sea state will abate later today," Mr Dickson said.

The team hope to search the island this afternoon, if possible.

Victorian police are contacting the men's next of kin.