Between December 24 and December 28, Surf Life Saving NSW conducted 327 rescues at beaches across the state including a drowning at Myall Lake on the Mid North Coast.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said the incidents were significant, with 38 emergencies on Sunday alone.

However, with 17 rescues and two emergency calls during the Christmas period, Surf Lifesaving NSW Far South Coast director Cheryl McCarthy said beaches in the region were busy, but calm.

"We haven't seen overcrowding, people have been spreading out nicely and respecting each other's space," she said.

An overcrowding alert was issued on the Beachsafe website for Surf Beach at Batemans Bay, but Eurobodalla lifeguard manager Matthew Neason said the alert wasn't due to people flouting social distancing.

"Surf Beach has limited beach space ... when it's high tide there's only a couple of metres of sand between the water and the fence line," he said. Mr Neason said in other areas patrolled by Eurobodalla lifeguards, such as Broulee, beaches were far from reaching capacity.

While there are no precise crowd limits on NSW beaches, lifesavers are enforcing a one person per two square metre rule - or in beach terms - people should keep at least one towel-length apart.

"It's really pleasing to see people are mindful of social distancing and are following our lifeguards when they make decisions," he said.

"It's early in the season so far but people are being positive and adhering to new requirements."

Mr Neason said heat wasn't an issue during Christmas but warns it could become a problem later in the season.

He recommends people plan to visit beaches at quieter times on hot days, and plan to keep their visits short "so others can enjoy the beach as well".

Ms McCarthy said it was encouraging to see visitors to the region as they approach a year since the devastating Black Summer bushfires.

"We know that so many of the visitors experienced the fear and devastation of the fires last year alongside us. It's so good to see them back," she said.