A murder investigation is underway after the body of a 24-year-old woman was found at Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, in far north Queensland.

Key points: Toyah Cordingley went missing on Sunday with her large dog

Toyah Cordingley went missing on Sunday with her large dog A search began early Monday morning and her car was found out Wangetti Beach

A search began early Monday morning and her car was found out Wangetti Beach Police launched a murder investigation with concerns males had been making women uncomfortable on the beach recently

The body, which was found on Monday morning, has been identified as that of Toyah Cordingley, a Cairns pharmacy worker who went missing on Sunday with her large dog.

An SES air and sea search began in the early morning after family raised the alarm and pleaded for any information about her whereabouts.

The woman's car was found at the beach.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ed Kinbacher said so far there were no suspects.

"The circumstances make this suspicious and we are conducting a murder investigation. It is critical anyone at Wangetti after 2:00pm until sundown get in touch with us," he said.

"All we know [at this stage] is that a body of a young woman was found at Wangetti Beach [and] we believe this young woman arrived and parked around 2:00pm or 2:30pm. She was with her large dog.

"This is a quite isolated location. We'd be interested in speaking to anyone at Wangetti Beach.

"There may be males who have been making women uncomfortable on the beach in recent times, that's what we want to know.

"Quite simply at the moment it's an open brief, this investigation."

Toyah Cordingley worked at a Cairns pharmacy. ( Facebook: Toyah Cordingley )

Friends of the young woman were still coming to terms with news of her death and posted tributes via social media.

"You were the most humble and most beautiful person iv know [sic] since grade one, inside and out," Daniel Stocker wrote.

"You were ever so kind and friendly and you always did you.

"I will never forget the sound of your laugh and that beautiful smile you always rocked."

Ellis Beach Bar and Grill manager David Jeskie knew Toyah Cordingley through her partner who had worked at the pub as a chef, and said the loss was devastating.

"Lovely girl, great couple, been together for quite some time, loved each other, loved the outdoors, loved their pets. Just a really free-spirited type of girl," he said.

He said the loss would be devastating for the local beachside community who were still seeking answers.

"It's shocking … we had a sick-to-the-stomach feeling, all of us, this morning, just wondering what's going on," he said.

"[They're from] two local families up here, very well-known, they've got lots of friends up here … it'll have a big impact."