I contacted Joel from USA prior to my Dive trip and he responded promptly. He picked me up from my Dive Resort and we traveled in his comfortable SUV to several remote locations. We spotted over 40 species in our 4 hour trip. I had some mobility issues and he was kind enough to bring a folding chair for me to sit during our walks. I gave him my DSLR camera to take pictures so I can concentrate on birding with my binoculars. I processed the photos and they are well taken. I should add that he is also a wildlife photographer. He also shared the eBird list with me. He is the only birding Guide in the Island I would recommend him if you interest is in birding and wildlife in Honduras mainland or Roatan.

Wonderful experience, Joel was very knowledgeable and a great guide for the birds, plant life, and general facts about Roatan.

We had an amazing trip with Joel. It was the highlight of our trip to Roatan. We did a full-day snorkeling/birdwatching tour which involved a very fun boat ride with captain Dewey and Joel. Captain Dewey is really friendly and experienced. Joel is extremely knowledgeable about wildlife on the islands and he took us on a beautiful hike through an uninhabited island where we saw numerous bird species. He took us to snorkeling spots that are not in the tourist guides, and these spots were amazing. The healthiest reef I’ve ever seen. We even got to snorkel around mangroves, which was not what I imagined at all- it was crystal clear water and we could swim around in little mangrove tunnels. We saw a porcupine fish there! Joel is a very kind and honest person who truly cares about wildlife conservation and is there to help you. I HIGHLY recommend reaching out to him if you are heading to Roatan and you want to see the island beyond the tourist tracks.

Joel and I visited 5 different places on Roatan, and two places on the mainland during my 2023 visit. Sometimes just myself, but usually with a group. What amazing, enjoyable experiences. Great birding!!!, but also other wildlife like snakes, bats, frogs, lizards, insects. Daytime and nighttime both. Even a mouse opossum. Wow. What an incredible naturalist and knowledgeable guide. I will be returning and enjoying Roatan Wildlife guide services in 2024. The best part of my trip to Honduras in 2023 was when Joel and I visited the Gracias a Dios Department in the wild north coast area called La Moskitia as part of a tour hosted by another company. Joel was an essential part of that trip because he is so comfortable with both English and Spanish and can understand many words in Miskito too. I will be returning to spend more time with Roatan Wildlife tours.

My friends and I went on a 1/2 day birding tour with Roatàn Wildlife. Joel's communications were excellent when planning our trip, as we didn't know exactly what date we would be available. I was the birder of my group and had a few target birds in mind. Joel worked with me and my target list to discuss which birds I could expect to see and where to look for some of the others on another island. Joel took us to several productive hotspots and I was able to see three life birds ~ one at each spot. We also were fortunate to see a fallout in spring migration and there were so many birds in the trees that it was hard to pick one to focus on! We had a great time with Joel and hope to join him again the next time we're in Honduras.

How many ways or times can you say… amazing – incredible – fabulous – fantastic – over the moon – etc? Well, let me tell you… I can’t stop saying all of those words about my 14-day, nature adventure with Joel Amaya throughout mainland Honduras. It was all of that… and so much more. I couldn’t have asked for a better travel companion or friend on this journey. Not only was Joel knowledgeable, engaging, and fun… his connection to Honduras’ network of top birdwatchers, naturalists, conservationists, and guides, made our trip rich with interest and truly unforgettable. So yes, this is a 5-star review but if I could give it 10 stars, I certainly would. On top of all that, we’re already planning my next adventure… so yes, it was really that good!