A recreational boating trip has ended in tragedy.

A routine morning on a northern NSW waterway has ended in tragedy after a 79-year-old man died following a marine accident on the Breckenridge Channel near Forster.

Emergency services were called to Little St, Forster, just after 11.40am on Thursday following reports of a marine incident between Wallis Island and Wallis Point Island.

Officers were told a 4.3m aluminium vessel, powered by a 50hp Yamaha outboard motor, struck a sandbank while travelling along the channel.

A 79-year-old man died after a boating accident on the Breckenridge Channel near Forster. Picture: Google

As a result of the impact, the 79-year-old passenger, was ejected from his seat and struck his head on the vessel’s anchor cleat, sustaining serious head injuries.

The master of the vessel, a 71-year-old man, was able to free the boat and immediately travelled to the nearest boat ramp.

During this time, he radioed for assistance using the on-board VHF radio, which alerted Marine Rescue.

The incident occurred between Wallis Island and Wallis Point Island. Picture: Facebook

Marine Rescue volunteers were first on scene at the wharf and immediately began CPR on the injured man before the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics, who continued treatment.

Despite efforts to revive him, the man died at the scene.