More than 2000 km of thin (<3 m) optical scattering layers were identified in 80 000 km of airborne lidar data collected from a variety of oceanic and coastal waters. The spatial characteristics of thin layers varied dramatically from (i) those that were self-contained features consistently <3–4 m thick over their 1–12 km extent to (ii) those that were clearly parts of much longer layers that had gaps and/or regions where the layer became more intense and much thicker than the 3-m criterion. The characteristics of the lidar signal suggest that plankton was the most likely source of scattering. Examples from upwelling regions, areas with large fresh-water influx, and warm-core eddies are presented. The results are quite consistent with the characteristics observed in studies of thin plankton layers in fjords and near-coastal waters. These layers exhibit great spatial variability that is difficult to observe using traditional methods, and examples of layer perturbations by both linear and non-linear internal waves are presented. The results suggest that airborne lidar can be a powerful tool not only for detecting and mapping the spatial extent of thin scattering layers and linking their occurrence to larger scale physical processes, but also for tracking their evolution over time and guiding the ship-based sampling needed to understand their composition, dynamics, and impacts. Such a capability will be crucial in future studies designed to test the hypothesis that thin plankton layers have the spatial extent and intensity to play a key role in controlling the recruitment of fish larvae, biogeochemical cycling, trophic transfer processes, plankton biodiversity, and harmful algal bloom dynamics.