Complete guide to all characters in Starsand Island. Includes all 15 romanceable NPCs (7 bachelors, 8 bachelorettes) with roles, locations, and loved gifts, plus non-romanceable residents and collaboration characters from My Time at Portia and Sandrock.
Starsand Island has over 25 named characters who live across the island's towns, villages, and points of interest. Fifteen of these are romanceable, and all fifteen can be romanced regardless of the player's chosen gender. Five serve as profession mentors who teach you gameplay systems and certify your rank advancement at the Community Center. The other ten run shops, restaurants, and services around the island. Beyond the romanceable cast, there are also non-romanceable residents, collaboration characters from the My Time series, and adoptable pets.
You can build relationships with every NPC by talking to them daily, giving gifts, completing Bulletin Board requests, and finishing quests. The romance system uses a 5-heart affection meter tracked through the Social app on your in-game phone. Characters have different names across the Chinese, Japanese, and English versions of the game.
Bachelors
Starsand Island has seven romanceable male characters.
Your childhood friend, a former pro surfer from a noble family. Fiercely loyal and passionate about the ocean. Teaches fishing across 105+ species. Was called "Francis" in pre-release materials.
Native islander and son of Sagewood. Holds a PhD in agricultural studies. Calm, quiet, and serious about plants. Teaches farming, seasonal crops, and giant crop mechanics.
Moved to the island to find clean air for his sick sister Momo. Develops his own games. Easy-going and cheerful. One of the few characters who hates Moonflowers.
Carefree spiritual disciple living in the mountains. Frequently away from town, making him hard to find. His name stays the same across all language versions (Chinese, Japanese, English).
Opened the Exploration Club to honor his mentor's legacy. Has an androgynous charm and a love of archery. Provides your first Slingshot blueprint and guides you through the Moonlit Forest.
Bachelorettes
Starsand Island has eight romanceable female characters.
Self-taught woodworker raised by her grandmother. Loves animals but has a guarded personality. Sells furniture, decoration items, and building materials.
Comes from a wealthy background but is modest and compassionate. Formerly engaged; came to the island seeking purpose. Sells outfits, hats, accessories, and seasonal clothing.
Native islander who studied veterinary medicine. Shy around people, gentle and sensitive with animals. Teaches livestock care, breeding, and product collection.
Your childhood best friend and the mayor's granddaughter. Bubbly and full of energy. The first person you meet when returning to the island and your primary guide for profession certifications.
Shy and timid but deeply skilled at making things. Gives you your first skateboard when you become an Apprentice Crafter. The General Store is one of the first shops you visit.
Non-Romanceable Residents
These characters live on the island and can receive gifts to build friendship (up to 4 hearts), but cannot be romanced or asked to move in.
Constructs the train station that unlocks the island's bus network. Quest NPC.
Collaboration Characters
Four special collaboration characters from the My Time series arrive on the island as special neighbors. They are not romanceable and their friendship caps at 4 hearts, but each has dedicated storylines and friendship events.
My Time at Portia
Character
Arrival
Residence
Notes
Ginger
Summer 23rd
Unit 308, south of town square
Voiced by Ariel Marie Highwind. Pick her up at the train station after repairing it.
The My Time at Portia collaboration was announced in October 2025. The Sandrock characters were added at launch. A "My Time at Starsand Island" bundle is available on Steam combining all three games at a discount.
For a detailed guide to the Sandrock crossover characters, see Fang and Nia.
Special Animals
Booboo is a giant panda living at the Panda House east of Cloudrest Lake. She is not adoptable and cannot follow you, but you can visit and interact with her.
Adoptable Pets
You can adopt pets from Woof & Wow Pets (run by Stella). Each pet has its own gift preferences and can follow you around the island. Available species include dogs, cats, foxes, ferrets, parrots, squirrels, and pandas.
Universal Gift Tips
Certain items work well as gifts across nearly the entire cast. For character-specific preferences, see the full Gift Guide.
Gift
Notes
Moonflower
Loved or liked by almost every character. The major exception is Loren, who hates it.