Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 22, 2021
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-32936
Entity Registrant Name	HELIX ENERGY SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MN
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-3409686
Entity Address, Address Line One	3505 West Sam Houston Parkway North
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 400
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77043
City Area Code	281
Local Phone Number	618–0400
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	HLX
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		150,723,988
Entity Central Index Key	0000866829
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false