A 76-year-old man is in a critical condition after being pulled unconscious from the water at East Ballina this morning.

Emergency services were called to Lighthouse Parade about 10.20am on Friday (6 March) following reports that a swimmer had been pulled from the ocean by members of the public.

Officers from Richmond Police District and NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived at the scene and immediately began CPR on the man.

He was later transported to Lismore Base Hospital in a critical condition.

The incident unfolded at a popular stretch of coastline near the Ballina Lighthouse, where members of the public acted quickly to bring the man from the water before emergency crews arrived.

Police have not released further details. Authorities are urging beachgoers to take care in the water and to always swim in safe conditions along the Northern Rivers coastline.