Authorities are continuing to scour waters on Victoria’s east coast after a 12-year-old Melbourne boy disappeared while swimming.

Danny was last seen swimming at No. 4 Beach in Venus Bay, about 120 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, around 11.30am yesterday.

His family, from Taylors Hill, and members of the public, started searching for him after losing sight of him about 11.30am.

Danny, whose last name wasn’t supplied by police, was swimming at No. 4 Beach in Venus Bay, about 120 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, before lunch today. (Victoria Police)

The Air Wing, water police, the coast guard, SES, Life Saving Victoria, uniform police and other beachgoers searched for Danny until the late hours of the night, but were unable to find any trace of him.

The search of No. 4 Beach resumed at 5am today, with a large vessel from Melbourne expected to arrive this afternoon to assist search efforts.

“His family are obviously distraught, as any parent wuold be in a situation like this,” Acting Senior Sergeant Matt Wade said.

“We’ll continue to search today whilst it’s safe to do so and whilst we’ve got light.”

Acting senior sergeant Matt Wade said police would continue to focus their search on No. 4 Beach. (Nine)

Danny was described as about 170 centimetres tall with a thin build, dark, short hair and dark eyes.

He was wearing a navy blue rash vest and navy blue boardshorts with a white stripe when he disappeared.

Police are urging anyone who’s seen Danny to contact Wonthaggi Police.

Venus Bay’s tiny population of 500 can surge into the thousands as anglers, surfers and families arrive for holidays, according to Visit Melbourne.