Class of warrant or right expiration date.

No definition available.

Name:	omex_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExpirationDate
Namespace Prefix:	omex_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Eligible employee threshold percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	omex_EligibleEmployeeThresholdPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	omex_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of stock incentive plans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	omex_NumberOfStockIncentivePlans
Namespace Prefix:	omex_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Preferred Stock Accretion at Annualized Rate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	omex_PreferredStockAccretionAtAnnualizedRate
Namespace Prefix:	omex_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award exercise price condition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	omex_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExercisePriceCondition
Namespace Prefix:	omex_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award maximum amount payable in cash per employee.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	omex_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumAmountPayableInCashPerEmployee
Namespace Prefix:	omex_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115993241&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of warrants or rights outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Price of the entity's common stock which would be required to be attained for the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument to become effective.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleStockPriceTrigger
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Threshold period of specified consecutive trading days within which common stock price to conversion price of convertible debt instrument must exceed threshold percentage for specified number of trading days to trigger conversion feature.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleThresholdConsecutiveTradingDays1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face amount or stated value per share of preferred stock nonredeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(28))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the equity-based award expires, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The highest quantity of shares an employee can purchase under the plan per period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumNumberOfSharesPerEmployee
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of additional shares authorized for issuance under an established share-based compensation plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Purchase price of common stock expressed as a percentage of its fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=omex_TwoThousandFifteenStockIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis=omex_SeriesAaTwoConvertiblePreferredStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=omex_PenelopeMiningLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis=omex_SeriesAaOneConvertiblePreferredStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=omex_NoteAndWarrantPurchaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=omex_IncentiveStockOptionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_CommonStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) - Additional Information (Detail)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 09, 2015 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) d Incentive_Plan $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value \| $ / shares		$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized		24,984,166		24,984,166		24,984,166
Number of warrants		120,000		120,000
Warrants, exercise price \| $ / shares		$ 3.52		$ 3.52
Warrants, expiration date				Oct. 01, 2021
Number of stock incentive plans \| Incentive_Plan				2
Stock incentive plan expiration date				Aug. 31, 2015
Share-based compensation \| $		$ 103,904	$ 208,496	$ 311,712	$ 625,489
Weighted average fair value of options granted \| $ / shares		$ 0	$ 0
2015 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized for stock-based compensation	450,000
Series AA-2 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value \| $ / shares		$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized		7,223,145		7,223,145
Series AA-2 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] \| Penelope Mining LLC [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of trading days \| d				20
Series AA-1 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value \| $ / shares		$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized		8,427,004		8,427,004
Preferred stock Liquidation preference accretion rate				8.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Series AA-2 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] \| Penelope Mining LLC [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Closing price of common stock \| $ / shares				$ 15.12
Note And Warrant Purchase Agreement [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of warrants		50,000		50,000
Warrants, exercise price \| $ / shares		$ 12.00		$ 12.00
Warrants, expiration date				Jul. 21, 2021
Incentive Stock Options [Member] \| 2015 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized for stock-based compensation	450,000
Additional shares authorized for stock-based compensation				200,000
Common Stock [Member] \| Incentive Stock Options [Member] \| 2015 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price of incentive option granted				With respect to each grant of an ISO to a participant who is not a ten percent stockholder, the exercise price shall not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date the ISO is granted. With respect to each grant of an ISO to a participant who is a ten percent stockholder, the exercise price shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the fair market value of a share on the date the ISO is granted.
Maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year	83,333
Maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash to any person during any calendar year \| $	$ 2,000,000
Common Stock [Member] \| Incentive Stock Options [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| 2015 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Eligible employee threshold percentage				10.00%
Purchase price of common stock percentage				110.00%