The dorsum surface of these smooth and shiny shells is generally dark brown, with distinct large yellowish or amber dots.

The aperture is long and narrow, with several dark brown teeth and clear spacing.

This is an Indo-Pacific species (see range map) occurring in the Indian Ocean along South-East Africa and in the western Pacific Ocean (western and northern Australia, Malaysia, Philippines and Hawaii).

This species of cowry is normally restricted to exposed habitats such as wave-washed basalt cliffs or breakwaters.

Mauritia mauritiana lives in tropical low intertidal water, usually under rocks or in rocky crevices at a minimum depth of about 2 metres (6 ft 7 in), but can be found up to 50 metres (160 ft).