Airborne lidar bathymetry(ALB) was an effective technology for simultaneous terrain and shallow water bathymetry mapping in coastal zones. Up to present, there had not been mature and practical ALB systems in China, and the experience in large-scale airborne lidar bathymetry production and application was also very little. It was urgent to carry out airborne lidar bathymetry system application test. Using the CZMIL Nova II system, we carried out the application test of the ALB in terms of maximum depth penetration, depth measurement accuracy, and measurement efficiency in Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi which were located in the northern part of the South China Sea. The results show that the maximum depth penetration of the three typical areas of Wuzhizhou Island in Hainan, Weizhou Island in Guangxi, and Chixi Town in Taishan City in Guangdong reached 30, 16, and 3 m respectively, accorded with the system′s nominal maximum depth penetration capacity. The maximum depth penetration mainly depends on water clarity, bottom reflectivity, flight altitude and other environmental factors. The depth measurement accuracy in Wuzhizhou Island, Hainan is 0.369 m at the 30 m depth, accorded with the system′s nominal accuracy. Based on the Yun-12E aircraft and conventional flight parameters, the effective coverage area is about 100 km2 and the flight line length is about 500 km in a flight mission, the annual coverage area is about 8 000-12 000 km2 and the annual flight line length is about 40 000~60 000 km. This was the large-scale application test of the airborne lidar bathymetry system in the coastal zone of China and it would have important reference significance and scientific value for the research and application of domestic airborne lidar bathymetry technology.