Dissemination, outreach and communication of scientific knowledge are becoming more and more important in today’s society, where social inclusion is an integral part of environmental protection and sustainable development. This is particularly true for the world of ocean research, a world that is largely hidden from our view, representing an added challenge to the communication of marine research. From its inception, the Ocean Literacy movement has advocated closer interaction between marine scientists, educators and other stakeholders (the public, policy-makers, private sector), and inspired new events and networks all over the world. CommOCEAN - the International Marine Science Communication Conference - focuses on a target audience of young marine scientists and communicators who want to be trained in science communication skills. By using examples from ocean science, the Bruges-Ostend CommOCEAN event is a unique opportunity to make a major leap forward in communicating ocean knowledge. The organizers (VLIZ, EMB, EMBCP and UNESCO/IOC/IODE) are developing an inspiring, innovative and interactive program consisting of two separate events: a 2-day conference in Bruges, followed by a 1-day training program in the InnovOcean facilities in Ostend.