A police search was launched in Brighton after an abandoned kite board was found in the water about 11.15am on Tuesday.

After conducting the search, police believe the kite surfer may have swum to shore and left the equipment behind.

Victoria Police spokeswoman said a witness raised the alarm after the board was found near The Esplanade in St Kilda.

BREAKING | A kite surfer has gone missing at Brighton http://t.co/cnayqKNOv7 pic.twitter.com/YjfJ3JzQr6— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) July 21, 2015

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Chris Godfred said a strong wind warning was current for Port Phillip Bay and conditions were "pretty windy in that part of the world".

A northerly wind was blowing around 50km/h and a gust of 81km/h was recorded at 12.30pm.

The temperature was likely to be around 14 degrees in the water and waves had been constant up to 1.5 metres throughout the day, Mr Godfred said.

Gusts would have increased in the last couple of hours, making conditions more challenging for search teams.

Police air wing and local officers helped Water Police with their search.

Police have released images of the green and grey kite that was found attached to the board, in a bid to identify its owner.

The kiteboard has been taken to the Water Police office at Williamstown.