Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2016	Feb. 26, 2016	Jul. 02, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	WEST MARINE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912833
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-02
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 02, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		24,733,708
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 234,274,154