A New South Wales wildlife sanctuary has been forced to temporarily evacuate parts of its centre after a woman brought in a highly venomous sea snake.

The managing director of Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary on the state's north coast, Tiga Cross, said the woman had found the snake stranded on a beach in Woolgoolga and picked it up wearing gloves on Monday.

"They are one of the most venomous snakes in the world,"

Ms Cross said.

"She just brought it to the front desk and said I have rescued this sea snake."

Ms Cross said the elegant snake, named Coral after its rescuer, was brought to the centre in an unlocked basket, with nearby visitors forced to clear the premises as a precaution.

She said sea snakes were more likely to lash out when distressed and outside their ocean habitat.

"Obv

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