The search began at approximately 6.30pm yesterday evening, when police were informed of a man who had gone missing in the Dawlish area.
Police conducted a search of the coastline, with coastguard rescue teams from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay, two lifeboats from Exmouth and Teignmouth, and an RAF search and rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor.
Rescuers searched the land and sea areas from Langstone Rock to the River Exe.
At approximately 8.40pm the Exmouth Inshore Lifeboat found the body of a man in the sea, believed to be the missing man.