Little St James is a small private island located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, roughly one mile southeast of St. Thomas. Covering approximately 70 to 78 acres, the island sits between St. Thomas and Great St. James and is part of the East End subdistrict of St. Thomas. It is entirely privately owned and is not open to the public.
Where Is Little St James Island?
Little St James lies in the Caribbean Sea within the U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory of the United States. It is positioned southeast of St. Thomas, with Great St. James Island as its nearest neighbor to the north. The island is characterized by rocky hills rising roughly 80 feet above sea level, covered in tropical vegetation and flanked by three private beaches. Trade winds from the east dominate its climate year-round, bringing warm temperatures and occasional seasonal rainfall.
Who Owned Little St James Island Before Epstein?
Prior to 1998, Little St James was owned by venture capitalist Arch Cummin, who listed the island for sale at $10.5 million in 1997. The island was purchased in April 1998 through a company called L.S.J. LLC for $7.95 million. Public documents confirmed Jeffrey Epstein as the sole member of that LLC, making him the effective new owner.
Jeffrey Epstein's Ownership (1998–2019)
Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier, held ownership of Little St James from 1998 until his death in August 2019. Epstein used the island as his primary Caribbean residence, referring to it affectionately as "Little St. Jeff's." Over two decades, he invested heavily in developing the property, constructing a main compound with a library, movie theater, and Japanese bathhouse, along with four guest villas, two swimming pools, a helipad, a private dock, a gas station, and a gym. The island also featured a distinctive temple-like structure topped by a gold dome, which was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017.
In 2016, Epstein also acquired the adjacent Great St. James Island for approximately $22.5 million, reportedly using a shell company and a straw buyer to conceal his identity, as he was already a registered sex offender at the time. Together, the two islands gave Epstein control over a significant stretch of private Caribbean territory southeast of St. Thomas.
Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors. He died in his Manhattan jail cell on August 10, 2019, in what authorities ruled a suicide. Numerous women have alleged in court documents that they were trafficked to Little St James and sexually abused there. The island became a central subject of civil and criminal proceedings involving Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
What Happened to Little St James After Epstein Died?
Following Epstein's death, his estate retained ownership of both Little St James and Great St James. The islands became the subject of protracted legal proceedings tied to civil lawsuits and government claims, including a case brought by the U.S. Virgin Islands government. As part of a settlement with the USVI, Epstein's estate agreed to pay the territory half the proceeds from the sale of the islands, along with additional funds to address unauthorized development on Great St James.
The two islands were listed for sale in March 2022 at an asking price of $125 million. They sat on the market as their association with the Epstein scandal made the sale complicated and controversial.
Who Owns Little St James Island Now?
In May 2023, billionaire investor Stephen Deckoff announced the acquisition of both Little St James and Great St James for a combined price of $60 million — a substantial discount from the original $125 million asking price. Deckoff is the founder of Black Diamond Capital Management, a Connecticut-based investment firm.
Deckoff stated his intention to transform the islands into a five-star, 25-room luxury resort. As of early 2026, construction activity has been observed on Little St James, though local reports and permit records indicate that progress has been slow and the resort has not yet opened. The fate of the full development timeline remains uncertain.
Little St James Island: Key Facts
- Location: U.S. Virgin Islands, approximately 1 mile southeast of St. Thomas
- Size: Approximately 70–78 acres (28–32 hectares)
- Status: Privately owned; not open to the public
- Previous owner: Arch Cummin (pre-1998)
- Former owner: Jeffrey Epstein (1998–2019), via L.S.J. LLC
- Current owner: Stephen Deckoff / SD Investments (acquired 2023)
- Purchase price (1998): $7.95 million
- Purchase price (2023): $60 million (both islands combined)
- Planned development: 25-room luxury resort
Is Little St James Island Open to Visitors?
Little St James remains a private island and is not accessible to the general public. During Epstein's ownership, the island was heavily guarded and visitors arrived exclusively by private jet or helicopter. Under Stephen Deckoff's current ownership, the island is undergoing redevelopment with the goal of eventually opening as a high-end resort destination. Until that project is complete and any potential resort opens for bookings, the island remains off-limits to visitors.
Plan Your Visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands
While Little St James itself is not open to visitors, the surrounding U.S. Virgin Islands offer some of the most beautiful Caribbean scenery in the world. For the full picture on what to see and do in the region, read our complete Little St James travel guide, and explore more destinations in our Caribbean travel guide.