A semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate a semiconductor light emitting element that is disposed on the substrate and that emits light along a direction substantially parallel to a main surface of the substrate a wavelength conversion element that is disposed on a light emitting side of the semiconductor light emitting element, that absorbs a portion of the light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element, and that emits light having a wavelength different from that of the absorbed light; and a holding member that is disposed on the substrate and holds the wavelength conversion element.