The beaked whale stranded at Te Kouma, south of Coromandel township, died overnight.
The nine-metre male Baird's beaked whale was spotted stranded early yesterday morning.
Staff from the Department of Conservation refloated the whale at high tide that afternoon, but it could not be coaxed out to sea and remained semi-submerged in the water.
A spokesperson said DOC was now working with local iwi on burial plans.