A French man has drowned at a popular camping spot on Tasmania’s east coast.

The tourist had been camping in the Bay Of Fires conservation area and went for a swim at Swimchart Beach around 5:30pm on Friday only to be caught in a rip.

After onlookers noticed the man struggling a surfer went to his aid and brought the man back to shore.

Bystanders then tried to resuscitate him but were unable to revive him.

The death has prompted police to warn beach users about rips, urging them to pay attention to weather conditions over the Australia Day weekend and to check local surf and tide warnings.

A report on the death was being prepared for the coroner.