Total suspended solids (TSS) in water plays a key role in aquatic ecosystems, due to its influences on light propagation in waters and the biological functions of waters. With the bio-optical data collected during 2009—2014 from Taihu Lake, Chaohu Lake, Poyang Lake, Pearl River Estuary, and Daya Bay, this work analyzed the remote sensing response bands for variations of TSS concentrations and constructed a remote sensing-based quantitative estimation model for TSS concentrations in coastal and inland waters. The visible infrared imaging radiometer suite (VIIRS) satellite remote sensing data were employed to obtain the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of the TSS concentrations. The results show that the model of the band ratio [R_rs(865)/k_d(555)] contributed by different components of water can explain 81% of the TSS concentration changes. In the model, the R_rs(865) is the remote sensing reflectance at 865 nm and the k_d(555) is the attenuation coefficient of the waters at 555 nm. Compared with other empirical models that have been reported, this model has significantly improved estimation accuracy. The verification results show that the model can be applied to coastal and inland waters. When applied to pre-processed VIIRS satellite remote sensing data, it can reveal the spatial and seasonal variations of TSS concentrations of in waters from Taihu Lake and the Pearl River Estuary.