A scanning endoscope includes: a light guide portion configured to guide an illuminating light that is emitted from a light source portion and irradiate an object with the illuminating light; an actuator configured to drive so as to cause a distal end of a light guide portion to scan, in order to scan the guided illuminating light over an object; a holding portion configured to hold the actuator; a rigid tubular member having a space that encloses the light guide portion, the actuator and the holding portion; and a connection portion that is interposed between the tubular member and the holding portion, and is configured to hold the holding portion at a prescribed position within the tubular member and to change shape in a circumferential direction that takes a longitudinal direction of the light guide portion as an axis when the tubular member or holding portion receives a force.