A waveguide optical element which includes a plurality of optical waveguides provided on a substrate having an electro-optic effect includes: a plurality of signal electrodes controlling light waves propagating through the optical waveguides; and a plurality of ground electrodes provided so as to interpose each of the signal electrodes therebetween, in which at least one of the ground electrodes includes a first layer and a second layer formed on the first layer, the second layer is formed such that a distance between the second layer and the signal electrode adjacent to the second layer is larger than a distance between the first layer and said signal electrode adjacent to said second layer, and a thickness of the ground electrode which includes the first layer and the second layer is 25 μm or more.