A vibration actuator has an elastic member formed into a ring shape, an electro-mechanical converting element joined to the elastic member, and a relative moving member which is in press contact with the elastic member. In the vibration actuator, the electro-mechanical converting element generates, upon application of a driving signal, a first vibration mode that vibrates in a direction parallel to a reference plane where the ring shape is formed, and a second vibration mode that vibrates in a direction perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the reference plane, and the relative moving member moves relative to the elastic member in one- or two-dimensional directions in the reference plane by the first and second vibration modes.