Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Jul. 23, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WEST MARINE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912833
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 29, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,360,096
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer