UPDATED 7.40PM: Anyone who plans to help at the site of Farewell Spit's whale stranding in the morning is asked to be prepared.

The surviving whales of nearly 200 which stranded were refloated at high tide, around 5pm.

DOC's Golden Bay Conservation Services Manager Andrew Lamason says they were swimming in a confused pattern, rather than out to sea.

"High tide's been and gone, and they've refloated the whales that were still living," he said.

"But the whales have been swimming in a confused pattern, so they haven't been straight to sea like you'd want in a perfect world."

DOC staff will be back at the site before first light to see whether they have stranded again.

Lamason says volunteers are welcome from around 8am to help keep any whales comfortable till the next high tide.

"What we have been very insistent on is that if you are not prepared with your own food, your own water, and the right sort of clothing, please don't come because you're going to be a hindrance more than a help."

Anyone who is prepared and ready to help should head to the base of Farewell Spit, a place called Triangle Flat, from 8am.