Following the trend in the world, a 512 channels ICCD was used as ocean lidar’s detector. With a 70 μJ single pulse energy, 355 nm laser and the 512 channels ICCD, the performance of airborne ocean lidar was simulated in laboratory. The water sample was put in 5 m and the fluorescence signal was collected with a 100 mm diameter lens. The experimental result shows a good signal noise ratio. Based on the simulation experimental results, it can be included that a real airborne ocean lidar with a 20 Hz, 80 mJ single pulse energy, and 200 mm diameter collection telescope has nearly the same performance with the lab lidar system.