The Island’s Physical Layout
Little Saint James is a 75-acre island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, approximately 1.5 miles off the southeastern tip of St. Thomas. Jeffrey Epstein purchased the island in 1998 and undertook extensive development over the following years. The main compound included a primary residence, multiple guest cottages, staff quarters, a dock facility, helicopter pad, and various outbuildings.
The development was extensive enough to require multiple USVI permit applications and ongoing construction activity across more than a decade. Permit records filed with the USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources document the successive phases of construction, from the initial main house expansion through additional cottages and infrastructure.
Dock and Marine Facilities
The island’s dock was a substantial facility capable of accommodating Epstein’s vessels and those of visitors arriving by boat. The dock served as the primary transfer point for people and supplies. A helicopter pad on the island allowed direct air transfer from Epstein’s aircraft, which would typically land at St. Thomas airport before a helicopter or boat completed the final passage to the island.
Reports and aerial imagery suggest additional dock facilities were constructed at various points, including features that observers described as possible submarine or underwater vessel accommodations. These reports generated considerable online discussion. No law enforcement agency has publicly confirmed the existence of functional submarine infrastructure; the features in aerial images may represent dock infrastructure, underwater cables for utilities, or coastal modification for boat mooring.
Utility Infrastructure
Islands in the USVI require independent utility infrastructure; Little Saint James maintained its own electrical generation, water desalination or collection, and communications systems. The island was staffed year-round, requiring continuous utility operation. Underwater cables connecting the island to St. Thomas infrastructure for telecommunications are a routine feature of island development in the USVI and are likely what some imagery identified as “underwater cables.”
Staffing and Operations
The island maintained a permanent staff of approximately 70-80 people at peak operation, including maintenance workers, domestic staff, boat operators, a veterinarian for Epstein’s horses and animals, security personnel, and other support roles. This staffing level was necessary to maintain the island’s physical plant and to support frequent guest visits.
Staff included both USVI residents and workers brought to the island on temporary worker visas, primarily from Latin America. The employment conditions for some workers became part of the USVI government’s trafficking and labor investigation.
The Island After Epstein’s Death
Following Epstein’s death, Little Saint James was managed by the estate and was sold in 2022 as part of the asset liquidation. Reports indicated the new owners undertook demolition of some Epstein-era structures. The sale price contributed to the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program.