Locals referred to it as “Paedophile Island,” while Jeffrey Epstein himself called it “Little St Jeff’s.” To the world, it is known as “Epstein Island.” According to attorneys for his accusers, Little St James was the site of numerous crimes against underage girls. On November 3, more than 150 photos and videos from Epstein’s luxurious island retreat were published online by US politicians, shedding new light on the notorious location.
The islands, Little St James and Great St James, were Epstein’s personal and business hideaways. In a 2012 business pitch, Epstein described the US Virgin Islands as “perfect” due to their isolation, adding, “I am not a madman.” Following his death on August 10, 2019, FBI agents and New York Police Department investigators raided Little St James, uncovering over 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence, according to an FBI memo.
The Location of Epstein’s Islands
Situated side-by-side in the Caribbean, Epstein’s islands were accessible only by private helicopter or boat. Epstein’s private plane would transport him to St Thomas’s international airport, where he would then board a helicopter to his islands. Little St James spans approximately 28 hectares, while Great St James covers 67 hectares. Epstein purchased Little St James in April 1998 for $7.95 million through a company, LSJ, where he was the sole member. Great St James was acquired in 2016 for $22.5 million.
Both islands were frequented by Epstein, with locals accusing him of transporting underage girls there. However, most allegations focus on Little St James.
Allegations and Legal Actions
Virginia Giuffre alleged that former prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor raped her on Little St James. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, stated in a deposition that she was present on the island when Andrew visited but claimed “there were no girls on the island” at that time. Maxwell was later convicted of sex trafficking and other charges in 2021, and her lawyers recently announced plans for a new bid for her freedom.
Locals reported that Epstein made little effort to conceal the young girls traveling with him. In 2019, two employees from an airstrip on nearby St Thomas told Vanity Fair they saw Epstein boarding planes with young girls. “On multiple occasions, I saw Epstein exit his helicopter, stand on the tarmac in full view of my tower, and board his private jet with children — female children,” one anonymous employee stated.
The US Virgin Islands filed a civil lawsuit against Epstein’s estate after his death, alleging he used the island to traffic young girls for sexual servitude, child abuse, and sexual assault. The complaint also claimed Epstein maintained a computerized database to track girls sent to Little St James.
Inside Epstein’s Island Retreat
On November 3, US politicians released new images and videos of Epstein’s private island estate, providing a glimpse inside the buildings. The Democratic Party members of the House Oversight Committee described the images as “never-before-seen photos and videos of Epstein’s private island that are a harrowing look behind Epstein’s closed doors.”
This release follows previous revelations, such as The New York Times’ 2025 photos of Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse. Little St James featured a blue-striped temple, a solar clock, and a moving Holstein-Friesian cow statue, among other peculiar items. The island boasted multiple swimming pools, tennis courts, a helipad, and several guest villas. Epstein also constructed a villa with a library, a Japanese bathhouse, and a movie theater.
One memo from a government agency’s wildlife chief in 2010 criticized Epstein’s property developments for “a long history of egregious and blatant disregard for environmental regulations.”
The Fate of Epstein’s Islands
In March 2022, Epstein’s islands were listed for sale through Bespoke Real Estate for $125 million. A lawyer for Epstein’s estate confirmed that proceeds from the sale would settle several lawsuits. In May 2023, Stephen Deckoff, founder of Black Diamond Capital Management, purchased both islands for $60 million. Deckoff stated he had never met Epstein and first set foot on the islands when they were marketed for sale.
Deckoff plans to develop a 25-room luxury resort on the property. “I’ve been proud to call the US Virgin Islands home for more than a decade and am tremendously pleased to be able to bring the area a world-class destination benefiting its natural grace and beauty,” he told Forbes. “I very much look forward to working with the US Virgin Islands to make this dream a reality.”
This development represents a new chapter for the islands, aiming to transform their dark history into a beacon of tourism and luxury.
