Little St. James Remains Closed to Public as Luxury Resort Plans Stall in U.S. Virgin Islands
Little St. James, the private island formerly owned by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, remains strictly off-limits to visitors as of early 2026, despite high-profile plans to redevelop the site into a luxury destination. Located approximately two miles off the southeast coast of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the 72-acre cay—along with its larger neighbor, Great St. James—is currently private property under the ownership of SD Investments.
Geographically, the island is situated between the larger islands of St. Thomas and St. John. It is part of the East End subdistrict of St. Thomas and is accessible only by private boat or helicopter. For decades, the location was infamously dubbed “Epstein Island” or “Pedophile Island” due to the sexual abuse and trafficking crimes committed there by its former owner. following Epstein’s death in 2019, the property became the subject of intense legal and public scrutiny before being sold in May 2023.
The current owner, billionaire private equity investor Stephen Deckoff, purchased both Little and Great St. James for a reported $60 million, less than half of the initial asking price. At the time of the acquisition, Deckoff announced ambitious plans to transform the stigma-plagued properties into a 25-room, world-class luxury resort, which was originally projected to open in 2025. The proposal promised to boost tourism and economic development in the region while respecting the local environment.
However, as of February 2026, the island remains closed to the public, and the promised transformation appears to be at a standstill. Reports indicate that no significant construction has taken place, and local officials have noted a lack of filed development applications. The distinctive structures from the Epstein era, including the main compound and the controversial temple-like building, remain largely visible and intact, serving as a grim reminder of the island’s history.
For tourists and curious onlookers, physical access to Little St. James is prohibited. There are no public docks, and attempting to land on the island constitutes trespassing under U.S. Virgin Islands law. Security personnel and cameras reportedly monitor the perimeter to deter unauthorized entry.
Despite these restrictions, a form of “dark tourism” has emerged in the waters surrounding the cay. Several local charter boat operators on St. Thomas offer excursions that bring passengers within viewing distance of the island. These tours allow visitors to observe the coastline and structures from international waters but do not permit docking or disembarking. The island’s notoriety continues to draw attention, even as its future redevelopment remains uncertain. Until development plans proceed or policies change, Little St. James remains a private fortress, physically beautiful yet shadowed by its past, and inaccessible to the general traveler.
* jetsetterguide.com
* financialexpress.com
* news24online.com
* britannica.com
* youtube.com
* forbes.com
* cbsnews.com
* tmz.com
* radaronline.com
