Abstract In this contribution we introduce a Fraunhofer IWES floating lidar system (FLS) equipped with an integrated pulsed lidar device, motion sensors, near-surface atmospheric variable sensors (air temperature, relative humidity and air pressure) and a sea-surface temperature sensor. All measures were compared and validated with the nearby offshore meteorological mast FINO3 in the German North Sea. Atmospheric stability information was derived using the bulk Richardson formulation from the FINO3 station at both 30-m and 100-m as well as at the FLS at a 2-m height. The stability parameter was then extrapolated to the higher heights from the FLS using the mean wind speed measured from the lidar. The FLS was able to recreate the stability conditions calculated at the 30-m height but could not effectively match that of the 100-m calculations. This is mainly attributed to the significant changes with height of the atmospheric variables and their importance in the stability calculations.