The family of a well-known and respected skipper have been left distraught after he died when his boat capsized on the Sunshine Coast.

Five people were on board when a fishing tour boat was struck by a large wave and flipped at the river mouth between Mooloolaba and Point Cartwright about 5.40am today.

Four passengers on board swam to safety and told passersby on the beach that their skipper was missing.

The boat had washed up ashore, prompting crews to fear that 52-year-old skipper Robert Smith was stuck in the hull.

“There was police on scene and surf lifeguards on scene trying to access through the hull of the vessel,” a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said.

“Tradespeople at the beach getting tools out of their vehicle to assist, lifeguards, council workers with tractors trying to overturn the vessel. All hands on deck.”

Smith was, however, found dead in the water.

One passenger was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the remaining passengers were uninjured.

Smith was a respected fishing tour operator and experienced captain who set out from Mooloolaba just before sunrise for a nine-hour charter.

The local community have been left shattered with the news of his death and paid tribute to him today.

“Today we lost not only a loving family member, husband, dad, brother, son, all of the above, lost one of my best mates,” George told 9News. 

”The best way to label Smithy is legend, and that’s what he is.”

Smith leaves behind his wife and their two children, Julie and Joel.

“To see them in tears and to see them distraught. Their dad’s not coming home from sea today, it breaks my heart,” George said.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner and investigate the death.