Based on mass bio-optical data from Taihu Lake, Poyang Lake, Pearl River Estuary and Daya Bay, we propose a method called Secchi disk depth (SD_H) to evaluate the water transparency. The method is applied to the new generation water color satellite sensor Suomi NPP VIIRS. The dynamic change characteristics of water transparency are revealed. We analyze the dominant influencing factors of transparency in different waters, compare the transparency products of VIIRS and moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) in Pearl River Estuary, and discuss their water environmental monitoring capacity. The results show that the SD_H model constructed based on VIIRS at 488, 555, 672 nm is suitable for water investigation, which can explain 79% of the transparency variation. We apply the proposed model to VIIRS satellite remote sensing images after pretreatment, and get the spatial distribution characteristics of water transparency in Taihu Lake, Poyang Lake, Pearl River Estuary and Daya Bay. Compared to phytoplankton, the suspended sediments and chromophoric dissolved organic matter are the dominant factors influencing the Secchi disk depth in coastal and inland waters. Transparency products of VIIRS and MODIS are consistent in space. However, the transparency product of VIIRS has a better spatial resolution and a stronger environmental monitoring ability.