Tragedy for the family of a Chinese exchange student, who has drowned while swimming in the Southport Broadwater.

The 16-year-old boy was enjoying a late afternoon swim with his classmates and his host family on Thursday, when he didn't surface.

Police were called to the scene at around 4.30pm, after reports the boy had disappeared inside the enclosed beach.

A water search commenced shortly afterwards, but due to poor visibility in the water it took officers an hour to find his body, which was brought to shore around 5.15pm.

The Bulletin reports, it sparked a heartbreaking scene, with his friends needing to be restrained from running into the water to hold his body.

Paramedics were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner and Police have informed the Chinese Embassy and the boy's family in China of his death.