Shell small, adults reaching a height of about 35 mm; relatively thin-shelled but solid; slightly taller than wide (h/w=l.l).
Apex white. Teleoconch of about 5 whorls, biangulated with a distinct subsutural ramp. Upper angulation bearing about 13 strong, sawtooth-like scaly processes, the lower one consisting of about 13 semitubular scales, much smaller than the ones on the upper angulation; between them 3 spiral rows of lamellate scales. Subsutural ramp sculptured with 5 spiral rows of scales; base with 6 equally sized rows of small scales.
Columella thick, smooth and rather evenly rounded, forming a distinct angle at the anterior end, bordered by 2 spiral rows of scales which are separated from the base by a distinct gap; aperture round with strong lirae reaching deep inside the aperture. Umbilicus closed.
Basic color pale pinkish to beige, with axial flames of white and brown. Aperture nacreous; columella white with a nacreous edge. Operculum round, with a central swelling bearing an umbilicus-shaped spiral depression surrounded by two smooth spiral ribs; white.

The sculpture of Turbo debesi is more or less unique; the only other Turbo which superficially resembles it is Turbo tursicus which differs in having smaller spines, a different color pattern and in having no spiral depression in the operculum.
This very rare and handsome little species is known from fewer than 10 specimens

Restricted to Western Australia; from Cervantes, 150 km north of Perth to Albany, southern Western Australia.