Emergency services continued the land and sea patrols on Tuesday afternoon, despite no further signs of Englishman Hugo Palmer and Frenchman Erwan Ferrieux, both aged 20.

The pair have been missing since Sunday after towels and other items of property were found next to the beach boat ramp at 6pm on Sunday and again by morning walkers around 6.30am on Monday.

Land crews have searched south of the beach to Tacking Point and north to Flynns Beach, while trail bikes had been searching further south, he said.

Police divers are expected to join the search in the water at Shelly Beach from 5.30pm Tuesday and 8am Wednesday, depending on conditions.

It's understood a search of the missing men's silver Commodore Station wagon has yielded passports, wallets and other personal items.

Port Macquarie resident Belinda Steigrad, who has lived in the area for three years said Shelly Beach was often known as a safe place to take children swimming. 

"We come down for family barbecues and to meet friends quite often," she said.

"It's often quite a safe spot for the kids to swim.  Locals that I know have said they've never known anyone to go missing (here), at Flynns Beach for sure but not at this spot.  People bring their kids here, people snorkel here," she said.

Police are appealing to anyone who might have seen the men or their silver Commodore Station wagon with QLD registration plates 141-YML near the Shelley Beach car park or in the surrounding streets to contact them.

A water and ground search has been held throughout Tuesday involving police from Mid North Coast Police District, Marine Rescue, SES, NSW Police Force Marine Area Command.