Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Jun. 04, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MITCHAM INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000926423
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,782,135