Peter is a red-haired orphan boy of uncertain age, usually pretending to be older than his friends. He naturally assumes a leadership role among his peers from St. Norbert's Home for Wayward Boys. Unhappy with his life as an orphan, he acts with bravery and curiosity, particularly when he notices a mysterious wooden trunk loaded onto their decrepit ship.

Molly is a well-cared-for girl around Peter's age with green eyes and brown hair. As an apprentice Starcatcher, she possesses secret knowledge about the world and magical substances. She is highly intelligent, speaking the porpoise language and reading the stars, but she sometimes struggles with the immense responsibility placed upon her.

Slank is the thick, bald first mate of the Never Land. He holds the real authority on the ship despite being second-in-command, frequently mocking the actual captain. He is deeply invested in the mysterious wooden trunk in his cargo and goes to violent lengths to keep others away from it.

Black Stache is the fearsome captain of the Sea Devil, renowned for his foot-long waxed mustache and greasy appearance. He treats his crew horribly to maintain dominance and prefers them unintelligent so they remain easy to control. He actively hunts the Wasp to steal a treasure rumored to be aboard.

Alf is an older, weary sailor assigned to the decrepit Never Land. He has lived a hard life without much joy, a reality that makes him surprisingly empathetic toward the young orphans aboard. After experiencing a strange sensation while moving a wooden trunk, he agrees to help Peter investigate its contents.

Leonard is Molly's father and a member of a secret order dedicated to keeping dangerous magical substances out of evil hands. He travels as an ambassador to King Zarboff III while secretly executing a vital mission for the Queen of England.

James is an orphan boy and Peter's closest friend. He acts as the secondary leader of the boys, stepping up to take charge when Peter is missing. He takes his responsibilities seriously, doing his best to comfort the others when they face danger.

Prentiss is one of the younger orphans from St. Norbert's Home for Wayward Boys. He is frequently frightened by their circumstances and relies heavily on Peter and James for reassurance and protection.

Thomas is one of the orphans traveling with Peter to an unknown destination. He sticks closely with the group as they face terrible food, storms, and hostile island inhabitants.

Tubby Ted is an orphan boy whose primary focus is often on food. He frequently complains about their dire circumstances and occasionally blames the other boys when they find themselves in trouble.

Mrs. Bumbrake is Molly's governess, responsible for the girl's well-being during the voyage. She is highly critical of her surroundings but easily distracted by the ship's rough first mate, leading to comical and exaggerated flirtations.

Little Richard is an enormous sailor who acts as the primary enforcer for the Never Land. Despite his massive strength, he is fearful of magic and easily manipulated by his cruel superiors.

Smee is the dim-witted but loyal first mate of the Sea Devil. Being heavyset, he fears being thrown overboard to lighten the ship and thus works the crew extra hard to secure his own position.

Fighting Prawn is the chieftain of the Mollusk tribe. Having survived years of enslavement in the British Navy, he speaks fluent English and French but harbors a deep, unyielding hatred for all outsiders who visit his island.

Teacher is the leader of the mermaids, creatures transformed by exposure to magical starstuff. She develops a telepathic ability and becomes an essential guide for those trying to protect the magic on the island.

Ammm is the leader of a pod of porpoises. He communicates through a series of squeaks and clicks, acting as a crucial messenger across the ocean for a secret society.

Mr. Grin is an enormous crocodile that previously lived peacefully until English sailors tormented him. Now dangerous, he serves as the execution method for any outsiders who land on Mollusk Island.

Captain Scott is the proud commander of the Wasp. He relies on his ship's speed to evade trouble but finds himself forced into a desperate tactical battle when a notorious pirate ship pursues them.

Captain Pembridge is the incompetent official commander of the Never Land. He possesses very little actual authority, frequently mocked by his own first mate in front of the crew.

Preston is a heavyset pirate on the Sea Devil. He is sacrificed by his captain to increase the ship's speed, leading to a desperate struggle for survival in a leaky rowboat.

Harbuckle is another heavy pirate abandoned at sea to increase the speed of the Sea Devil. He struggles to untie himself and his companion while their small rowboat takes on water.

Mack is a sailor on the Never Land. He assists in loading a mysterious wooden trunk onto the ship in exchange for the promise of extra pay.

Storey is the crew captain aboard the Sea Devil, responsible for executing the demanding and dangerous orders of his erratic commander during high-speed pursuits.

Hungry Bob is a sailor on the Never Land with an incredibly low standard for food. He happily consumes putrid, worm-infested slop when the orphans refuse to eat it.

Leatherface is a sailor tasked with protecting a highly important wooden trunk. He completely fails in his duties after consuming heavily spiked rations.

Fierce Clam is a warrior of the Mollusk tribe who helps capture the surviving outsiders who wash up on their island shores.

Crenshaw is a pirate scout tasked with exploring the dangerous paths of Mollusk Island while his crew waits safely behind.

Bates is a pirate tasked with scouting the unknown jungle terrain on Mollusk Island, nervously separating from the main group.

Grempkin is the unkind chaperone from St. Norbert's Home for Wayward Boys. He delivers the orphans to the ship that will take them away from England forever.