At the beginning and the end of the story, Santiago and his friendship with the young Manolin is made explicit.

'The boy keeps me alive', he thinks, but this is more than a labor for Manolin. He chastises himself for not doing more for the Old Man. He cries when sees the condition he returns in. He feels guilt for not being with him. He vows to accompany him on the next trip.

Santiago also feels friendship for the natural world. He feels empathy for the small bird that rests on his boat. He is grateful to the gull for showing him the way. Most of all, he feels a deep connection with the marlin, who he refers to many times as a friend. He even weighs up the actions of a fisherman -'If you love him, it is not a sin to kill him'