The island most commonly associated with Jeffrey Epstein is officially named Little Saint James (sometimes written as Little St. James). It is located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, between the islands of St. Thomas and St. John.
Epstein purchased Little Saint James in 1998 for approximately $7.95 million. He developed it extensively, constructing multiple buildings, an airstrip, a marina, an underground power plant, and the distinctive blue-and-white striped structure that was variously identified as a music room, a gym, or a temple.
The island covers approximately 75 acres. Its location in the U.S. Virgin Islands gave Epstein certain logistical advantages: it is technically U.S. territory (meaning standard documentation wasn’t required for visitors arriving from the mainland), while being physically remote and difficult to access without his authorization.
Epstein also owned a second island: Great Saint James, a neighboring larger island he purchased in 2016 for approximately $18 million. His ownership of Great Saint James was seen as an attempt to control access to Little Saint James by eliminating nearby observation points.
Popular nicknames: The media gave Little Saint James various informal names including “Pedophile Island” and “Epstein Island.” These are not official names.
After his death: Both islands were controlled by Epstein’s estate. The U.S. Virgin Islands government sued the estate over the trafficking operation conducted there. The estate reached settlement agreements and the islands were subsequently sold. Little Saint James was purchased by a group of private investors.