Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 23, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WEST MARINE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912833
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,480,551
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer