It is not as common as previously thought, and the butterfly is only seen in localised areas within the nature reserves and on Pulau Ubin. The underside of the Common Sailor is distinctly a rich golden brown and this separates it from the more common Neptis leucoporos cresina. 

The butterfly has a distinct weak gliding / "sailing" flight which is different from the other black-and-white genus Athyma species, which have a more robust and stronger flying pattern.