A NSW woman has died after being swept into the ocean while rock fishing with her husband.

Surf lifesavers (SLSA), police marine rescue and the Wollongong Ambulance rescue helicopter began searching for the 48-year-old on Saturday morning.

The woman was rescued by a SLSA jet boat after about an hour in the water at Shell Cove on the NSW south coast.

“She was taken to the Minnamurra boat ramp, where CPR was initiated by surf lifesavers before NSW Ambulance paramedics took over,” a police spokesperson said.

“However, she died at the scene.”

A report is being prepared for the coroner.