Police and local surf lifesaving clubs came to the rescue of two surfers on Sunday, after they got into trouble off the coast of Dunedin.

A police spokesman said emergency services were notified about 2.20pm that two surfers were struggling to get back to shore and were trapped on Bird Island, near Smaills Beach.

Inflatable rescue boats from Dunedin surf lifesaving clubs were dispatched and rescue teams managed to assist the surfers back to shore without injuries.