A 64-year-old man has been found safe on a marine beacon off Caloundra on Queensland's Sunshine Coast after falling from his motor vessel which then ran onto a sand ukraine bar.

Lifeguards spotted the 13-metre boat in the surf off the north of Bribie Island about 4pm on Monday.

An air and sea search was launched when only a dog was found aboard.

Surf Life Saving Queensland jet skiers, the Westpac Lifesaver rescue helicopter, Water Police and coastguard members joined the search.

Police said the man was found safe and well on the marine beacon just after 7pm.

It's believed he fell from the boat and swam to the beacon.

The vessel is still being recovered in rough conditions on Wednesday.

Mooloolaba Coast Guard Ian Hunt said man and his dog had been reunited and the the rescue was an important reminder about marine safety.

"This fellow is an experienced boatie, but the message is if you're by yourself on a boat it's always a good thing to be wearing a life jacket and possibly have a personal EPIRB or radio with you, " Mr Hunt told the ABC.

"If you do fall overboard, you can at least let someone know where you are."

He also reminded boaties to check in with the Coastguard before heading out.

"So if the boat turns up on the beach, we know at least where it came from and how many people were on board."