A scanning endoscope apparatus includes: a light source section that emits illuminating light； an optical fiber that guides and applies the illuminating light from a distal end, the illuminating light having directionality； a drive element and a scanning drive section that scan the distal end of the optical fiber； a light detecting section that detects light from a subject； a shutter and an intermittent light output control section that controls a light application period and an interruption period for the illuminating light； an extrinsic light component removal section that outputs a result of an average value of a plurality of light detection results obtained in the interruption period being subtracted from each of a plurality of light detection results obtained in the light application period； and an image processing section that forms image information for display, based on the result outputted by the extrinsic light component removal section.
