Inside Outside Coco View Resort Roatan

Martin Gomez   Aug 12, 2026

8. Inside Outside

Dive type: Shallow reef + deep narrow cuts + wall
Mooring depth: ~25 ft / 7.5 m
Shallowest coral: approximately 5–10 ft / 1.5–3 m from the surface
Main feature: Abundant Lettuce Coral and deep cuts through the reef
Best for: Topography, shallow reef exploration, wide-angle photography, and observing reef life

What makes Inside Outside special?

Inside Outside combines several of the features we've already seen at other CoCo View sites, but puts them together in a different way.

CoCo View describes the site as moored in approximately 25 feet, with an edge covered heavily in Lettuce Coral and intersected by deep, narrow cuts. Some of the coral formations rise to within only 5–10 feet of the surface. 

That means this is another site where you shouldn't automatically think:

“We need to go deep to see the good stuff.”

A lot of the site's character is found right on the shallow reef.

Why is it called “Inside Outside”?

The name makes more sense once you understand the topography.

The reef contains numerous cuts and passages, allowing divers to experience both the protected areas within the reef structure and the more exposed outer portion toward the wall.

An older dive report from the site specifically describes Inside Outside as being named for its numerous cracks and swim-throughs. 

So mentally, think:

Inside → reef cuts and formations

Outside → reef edge and open wall

That transition gives the dive its personality.

The experience

Imagine descending in approximately 25 feet of water.

Immediately, you're surrounded by a shallow reef with coral reaching surprisingly close to the surface.

As you explore, instead of finding one continuous reef edge, you encounter narrow cuts penetrating the reef.

You can follow the contours of those formations while gradually working toward the outer edge.

And then the perspective changes.

You move from:

Shallow reef → narrow cuts → reef edge → open blue water

That contrast between enclosed reef structure and open water is one of the reasons the site can be visually interesting.

The Lettuce Coral

One feature worth pointing out to guests is the Lettuce Coral.

CoCo View specifically describes the reef edge as prolific with it. 

Lettuce Coral gets its common name from its overlapping, leaf-like growth pattern. Large concentrations can give sections of reef a layered appearance.

This also provides an opportunity to teach guests something simple:

Don't just look for fish.

Look at how the reef itself is constructed.

Once divers begin recognizing coral types, they start seeing much more during a dive.

Marine life

Inside Outside shouldn't be presented as a site where one particular animal is guaranteed.

The habitat itself is the attraction.

The combination of hard and soft corals, sponges, cracks and protected areas provides plenty of places for smaller reef creatures to live. Historical dive reports mention small crabs, parrotfish and other tropical reef fish at the site, but naturally individual encounters vary from dive to dive. 

This is another site where I would tell guests:

Look inside the cuts.
Look underneath the coral.
Look around the sponges.
Look above the reef.
And occasionally turn around and look into the blue.

Photography

Inside Outside has some very good possibilities for wide-angle photography.

The narrow cuts can act as natural frames.

For example:

Coral walls → diver inside the cut → blue water behind

Or, because some coral comes within 5–10 feet of the surface:

Lettuce Coral → diver → surface → sunlight

That shallow depth can provide excellent ambient light when conditions are favorable.

This is also a site where looking upward can completely change your photographs.

Instead of always pointing the camera toward the reef, position yourself carefully and photograph a diver against the surface and sunlight.

Buoyancy is especially important

Here's something I would emphasize during the briefing.

Some of the coral reaches to within 5–10 feet of the surface. 

That means there isn't always much vertical room between the diver and the reef.

Good buoyancy becomes essential.

You want:

Neutral buoyancy
Horizontal trim
Controlled fin kicks
Good awareness of your tank and fins

Remember that your tank extends above your body. You might think you're clearing a coral formation while the top of your cylinder is much closer than you realize.

Don't force a passage

This is also a good site to reinforce an important rule about swim-throughs.

Just because there's an opening in the reef doesn't mean every diver needs to go through it.

Follow the dive master's route and instructions.

If you're uncomfortable with a particular passage, communicate that.

And if you do enter a narrow section, give the diver ahead of you enough space.

Don't stack divers inside a confined area.

Inside Outside vs. Calvin’s Crack

Now we can make an interesting comparison.

Calvin’s Crack has one dominant feature: a long crevice that descends through the reef and eventually exits onto the wall.

Inside Outside is more about exploring multiple cuts and reef formations.

So:

Calvin’s Crack = one major journey through a crack.

Inside Outside = exploring a reef broken by multiple cuts.

Inside Outside vs. Chimney’s

These two are closer in character.

Both reward divers who enjoy underwater topography.

But I would remember them differently:

Chimney’s → large coral boulders + dramatic wall

Inside Outside → Lettuce Coral + narrow cuts + very shallow coral

In fact, CoCo View describes Chimney’s as having large coral boulders reaching within about 5 feet of the surface before a steep wall drops away, whereas Inside Outside is specifically characterized by its Lettuce Coral and deep narrow cuts. 

A great site for the end of the dive

One thing I particularly like about this profile is the shallow reef.

If the dive plan and conditions allow, returning toward the mooring puts you back into an area where there is still plenty to see in relatively shallow water.

Instead of thinking:

“The dive is finished; now we're just going back to the boat.”

Think:

“The shallow portion is another part of the dive.”

At a site where coral rises to within 5–10 feet of the surface, there's no reason to stop exploring just because you're shallow.

How I would describe it to a guest

“Inside Outside is a beautiful shallow reef dive with lots of topography. The mooring is around 25 feet, but some of the coral comes to within only 5 to 10 feet of the surface. The reef edge has lots of Lettuce Coral and is broken up by deep, narrow cuts, so you'll get to explore the different formations before reaching the outer edge and open water. Take your time, maintain good buoyancy around the shallow coral, and look inside the cuts—you can find a lot of interesting reef life when you slow down.” 

A simple way to remember Inside Outside

Inside Outside = Lettuce Coral + narrow cuts + shallow reef + wall.

Site	What to remember
Mary’s Place	Cracks and channels
Calvin’s Crack	Descending crevice
Menagerhea’s Reef	Wall, ledges & sponges
Carib Point	Sea fans & schooling fish
Castle Canyon	Shallow reef formations
Chimney’s	Coral boulders & dramatic wall
Gold Chain Reef	Hard corals, slope & sand
Inside Outside	Lettuce Coral & narrow cuts

Next: John’s Spot. This one should be a particularly good chapter because the profile is very distinctive: coral ridges lead toward the wall at about 40 feet, followed by a very straight, steep wall covered in sponges, large overhangs, and a descent extending far beyond recreational limits.