A thermally assisted magnetic recording head with highly efficient optical coupling, while guiding a laser beam from a semiconductor laser element, i.e., a light source, to a leading end thereof, eliminating an influence due to heat generated by the element, and having excellent floating characteristics. The thermally assisted magnetic recording head includes a substrate 2 having a first optical waveguide 1, a semiconductor laser element 100, and a slider 4 having a second optical waveguide 3 formed on an end surface. The semiconductor laser element 100 is fixed on the substrate 2 so that light emitted from the element 100 propagates through the first optical waveguide 1, and a slider 4 is fixed on the substrate 2 so that light emitted from the first optical waveguide 1 propagates through the second optical waveguide 3. High optical coupling efficiency is then achieved, while ensuring both heat-dissipating and floating characteristics.