Abstract <p>A laser method for remote determination of the distribution of capillary and gravity wave slopes on the sea surface is considered. The method illuminates the sea surface from top to bottom with a continuous laser beam and records scattered radiation below the point of incidence of the beam on the sea surface using a video camera. In the presence of intense capillary waves, the beam image has the shape of a light “skirt” that is formed below the point of incidence of the beam on the surface. It is shown that the distribution of capillary wave slopes along the axis perpendicular to the axis of the video camera can be determined from the distribution of light intensity in the cross-section of the light skirt. The distribution of slopes can be estimated almost instantaneously from one video frame in 0.01 s on a surface area of 50 cm². Accumulating frames and averaging the illumination of the skirt over time τ makes it possible to estimate the distribution of slopes of all waves whose period is less than τ. The article presents the results of theoretical calculations and examples of field measurements in various meteorological conditions. The advantage of the method is the possibility of conducting measurements at almost any time of day, as well as the possibility of measurements from unmanned aerial vehicles.</p>