Note 3 - Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Net income (loss) attributable to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.									$ 16,353	$ 11,352	$ (8,661)
Non-cash deemed dividend to warrant holders									2,654
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders									$ 13,699	$ 11,352	$ (8,661)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Total weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)									47,440,788	45,378,188	44,576,912
Dilutive potential common shares (in shares)									245,141	313,908	0
Dilutive potential options (in shares)									66,831	45,834
Dilutive potential warrants (in shares)									1,673,803	602,124
Total weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)									49,426,563	46,340,054	44,576,912
Net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders
Basic (in dollars per share)									$ 0.29	$ 0.25	$ (0.19)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.02	$ 0.31	$ (0.10)	$ 0.11		$ 0.24	$ 0.28	$ 0.24	$ (0.19)