An acoustic-wave measuring apparatus includes holding means (104, 105) arranged to hold a subject and irradiation means (101) arranged to irradiate the subject with light. Acoustic-wave detecting means (102) detects acoustic waves generated in the subject due to irradiation with the light； an image pickup unit (103) acquires an image of the subject； and a measurement position on the image acquired by the image pickup unit (103) is designated. Coordinate transforming means (108) transforms the coordinates of the measurement position on the image to coordinates of a corresponding position on the holding means (104, 105)； and position control means (109) moves at least one of the irradiation means (101) and the acoustic-wave detecting means (102) to the corresponding position on the holding means (104, 105).
