Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Sep. 03, 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	Jul. 31, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,837,576