By obtaining data of the CE318 automatic sunphotometer installed on the PY30-1 platform from September 2011 to October 2012, the aerosol optical characteristics in South China Sea is studied. The main aerosol optical parameters are aerosol optical thickness, Angstrom exponent, complex refractive exponent, single scattering albedo and scattering phase function. Carrying out research of the aerosol optical characteristics in South China Sea, is an important part of calibration and validation of satellites. The results show that the aerosol optical parameters are similar with the coastal mode, and can be used for calibration and validation of satellites.