A method for manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device is provided. The method includes forming a light emitting structure by sequentially growing a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer on a semiconductor growth substrate A support unit is disposed on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, so as to be combined with the light emitting structure. The semiconductor growth substrate is separated from the light emitting structure. An interface between the semiconductor growth substrate and a remaining light emitting structure is wet-etched such that the light emitting structure remaining on the separated semiconductor growth substrate is separated therefrom. The semiconductor growth substrate is cleaned.