[Object] To provide an optical element and a display apparatus capable of reducing a waveguide loss and achieving laser oscillation suppression and a high output. [Solving Means] An optical element according to the present technology includes a substrate, a first end which is a light emission end, and a second end provided on an opposite side to the first end, the optical element including a first electrode layer, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second electrode layer. The first electrode layer has a stripe form extended from the second end toward the first end. A waveguide structure included in the first conductivity type layer, the active layer, and second conductivity type layer includes a first waveguide and a second waveguide, and the second waveguide has a tapered structure that makes a beam spot of light incident from the first waveguide smaller. The optical element includes a reflection surface that is formed by an excavation structure provided from the first semiconductor layer to the active layer on at least one of the first end and the second end, and reflects light incident from the first waveguide or the second waveguide.