The dead adult humpback whale washed up on North Stradbroke Island, about one and a half kilometres south of the surf lifesaving club, on Saturday.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers are on site with police officers, Sea World marine experts and traditional owners, determining what to do with it.
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The whale weighs between 30 to 40 tonnes, and will either be buried or towed out to sea.
A Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management spokesman said sharks had been seen in the water and people are being strongly advised not to go in.
Tissue samples will be taken to help determine the whale's cause of death.
