Palaina waterhousei, also known as the wide-ribbed staircase snail, is a species of staircase snail that is endemic to Australia's Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea.

The pupiform shell of adult snails is 2.8–3.1 mm in height, with a diameter of 1.7 mm, with a domed spire.

It is white in colour, with golden-brown apical whorls.

The circular aperture has a strongly reflected lip and an operculum is present.

[2] The snail is common and widespread across the island.