Friends and family of Australian man Craig Laidley have paid tribute to a “hero” who drowned saving someone he didn’t know.

Laidley’s body was found in Bali on Friday, two days after he was swept out to sea while assisting a struggling swimmer.

Laidley, 56, was walking along Balian beach – on the west coast of Bali – shortly after 4pm on Wednesday when he heard a swimmer in trouble calling for help.

He rushed into the ocean to help Micro Stalla, 29, and helped the German tourist to safety.

Witnesses reported the pair reached the safety of some rocks, but while Stalla was pulled out, a wave took Laidley, dragging him back out to sea.

Indonesian search and rescue organisation Basarnas confirmed Laidley’s body was found on Friday morning at Secret Bay beach, about a kilometre west of where he was last seen.

Laidley’s family said he left behind two sons and an extended family who were shocked and devastated by his death.

“It is no surprise to us that he put his life on the line to help another in need,” they said in a statement.

“His bravery and determination are a testament to his character. A man who brought kindness, strength, light and laughter to those around him.

“We hope Craig’s spirit inspires others to act with courage, selflessness and offer a helping hand to those in need.”

The family thanked police, search and rescue teams, and members of the public who searched for Laidley and offered to help during the tragedy.

Laidley’s cousin Mark Laidley paid tribute to a “hero [who] paid the ultimate price saving someone he didn’t even know”.

The Denpasar Search and Rescue Office chief, Nyoman Sidakarya, said a crew of 10 had been searching for Laidley – on land and sea – since Wednesday night. But he said efforts to find the missing man had been hampered by dangerous seas.

He said the waves at the time Laidley went missing were “extreme” off Bali’s west coast.

Witness Wayan Sudarma told the ABC the beach was known to be dangerous, but there were no warning signs to alert tourists.

“Incidents like this happen often here,” he said.

“About four months ago a foreigner went missing. He was found dead four hours later.

“In the last five years, there have been five incidents like this.”