Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 01, 2012	Jul. 01, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WEST MARINE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912833
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,972,874
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 238,413,282