It’s a weird feeling, looking out over the water from St. Thomas and seeing an island that looks like a postcard but feels like a crime scene. Great Saint James Island isn't your typical Caribbean getaway. You can't just book a room there. You can’t even really step foot on the beach without a bunch of legal questions popping up in your head. It sits there, 165 acres of sun-drenched rock and scrub, just a short boat ride from the bustle of Red Hook, yet it’s arguably the most isolated place in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Most people know it for one reason: Jeffrey Epstein.
He bought the island in 2016 for about $22.5 million. He already owned Little Saint James, the smaller, more notorious neighbor right next door. But Great Saint James was supposed to be his expansion. His privacy buffer. Now, years after his death and the massive legal fallout, the island is basically a ghost of a dream that never quite materialized. It’s a place caught between its incredible ecological value and a history that most people would rather forget. Honestly, it's kind of a tragedy that such a beautiful piece of the world is wrapped up in such a dark narrative.
What Actually Happened on Great Saint James Island
When Epstein bought the island from the Christian council that owned it, he didn't waste much time. He started clearing land. He started building. But here’s the thing—he didn't really have the permits to do most of it. The Coastal Zone Management (CZM) commission in the USVI isn't exactly a group you want to mess with, but he tried anyway.
Construction crews were spotted working on a road system and several structures, including what looked like a massive compound. This wasn't just a "tropical hut" vibe. We're talking about significant environmental alteration. By 2018, the government issued a stop-work order. They realized he was basically terraforming the place without the right stamps on his paperwork. It’s one of those classic "rich guy thinks the rules don't apply" scenarios that actually stuck for once.
The island stayed in a state of half-finished chaos for years. Following the 2019 criminal charges and Epstein's subsequent death, Great Saint James Island became part of his estate. It sat in a legal limbo while the Virgin Islands government and various victims' groups fought over what should happen to the assets.
The $60 Million Sale and the New Chapter
In May 2023, things finally shifted. Stephen Deckoff, a billionaire investor and founder of SD Investments, bought both Great Saint James and Little Saint James for $60 million. That sounds like a lot, but it was a massive discount from the initial asking price of $125 million.
Deckoff’s plan? He wants to build a world-class luxury resort.
This isn't just some vague "maybe we'll do something" plan. He's been vocal about turning these islands into a destination that provides jobs and bolsters the local economy. But you can imagine the skepticism. People in St. Thomas have seen "world-class resorts" come and go, and the stigma of the previous owner is thick. It’s going to take more than a fresh coat of paint and some high-end linens to change the energy of Great Saint James Island.
The local community is watching closely. There are huge concerns about public access. In the USVI, beaches are public up to the high-water mark. If a massive resort goes up, how does a local fisherman or a family on a Sunday boat trip get to enjoy the cove? That’s the million-dollar question—well, the sixty-million-dollar question.
The Ecological Side of the Story
If you ignore the human drama for a second, the island itself is a masterpiece.
Great Saint James Island is home to Christmas Cove. If you’ve ever been on a day sail out of St. Thomas, you’ve probably anchored there. It’s one of the best snorkeling spots in the region. The water is that ridiculous shade of turquoise that looks fake in photos.
- Sea Turtles: They are everywhere here. Green sea turtles and hawksbills use the sea grass beds in the cove as a buffet.
- The Reefs: While Caribbean reefs have struggled, the south side of Great Saint James still has some impressive coral formations.
- Bird Life: Because the island has been relatively undeveloped (despite the illegal construction), it's a sanctuary for migratory birds.
There is a real fear that a massive luxury development will choke the reefs with sediment. You can't build a resort without digging, and you can't dig on a Caribbean hillside without rain washing that dirt into the ocean. It’s a delicate balance. Environmentalists are pushing for strict oversight to ensure that the "restoration" of the island doesn't involve killing the very things that make it valuable.
Why People Get the Legal Status Wrong
There is a common misconception that Great Saint James Island is "off-limits" or seized by the FBI.
It’s not. It’s private property.
While the FBI and other agencies definitely combed through the place during the investigations, the title is now held by SD Investments. You can't just wander onto the land, but you can swim in the water. Christmas Cove remains a popular mooring spot. In fact, there’s a famous boat called "Pizza Pi" that usually anchors there—literally a floating pizza kitchen where you can pull up on a dinghy and get a fresh slice. It’s one of the most "Virgin Islands" experiences you can have, and it happens right in the shadow of the island’s complicated history.
The legal battle over the Epstein estate was one of the most complex in modern history. The Virgin Islands government eventually reached a settlement with the estate for over $100 million, which included a chunk of the proceeds from the sale of the islands. This money was earmarked for various social programs and to compensate for the tax breaks Epstein had "earned" through questionable means.
The Practical Reality for Travelers
If you are planning a trip to the USVI and want to see Great Saint James, here is the deal. You aren't going to be staying there anytime soon. The development of a resort of the scale Deckoff is talking about takes years—permitting, environmental impact studies, and actual construction in a place where resources are limited.
Most visitors experience the island via a private charter.
- Rent a Center Console: If you want speed and flexibility, rent a boat for the day from Sapphire Beach or Red Hook.
- Book a Catamaran: This is the "chill" way. Most half-day sails will stop at Christmas Cove for snorkeling.
- Respect the Boundaries: Enjoy the water, see the turtles, but don't try to hike the island. It’s still private and, frankly, there isn't much to see on land yet besides some old construction equipment and scrub.
The Future: Can an Island Have a Redemption Arc?
It’s a weird thing to root for a luxury resort, but in the case of Great Saint James Island, a lot of locals just want the "Epstein Era" to be over. They want the island to mean something else. If a resort brings jobs and respects the environment, maybe the island can shed its dark reputation.
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But there’s a nuance here. Some argue the island should have been turned into a national park. A way to give back what was taken. That didn't happen, mostly because the estate needed to liquidate assets to pay off settlements. So, we're left with the "private development" route.
Is it possible to enjoy the beauty of Great Saint James while acknowledging what happened there? Probably. The turtles don't know who owned the land. The coral doesn't care about the deeds. The natural beauty of the Caribbean is resilient, but it’s also fragile.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're heading toward those waters, do it right. Don't just go for the "dark tourism" aspect.
- Support the Local Economy: If you're visiting Christmas Cove, buy a pizza from the local boat or hire a local captain. Don't just take a big corporate cruise.
- Practice Reef-Safe Snorkeling: The reefs around Great Saint James are under stress. Use mineral-based sunscreen (zinc or titanium) or, better yet, just wear a rash guard.
- Stay Informed on Permits: If you're a regular visitor, keep an eye on the USVI DPNR (Department of Planning and Natural Resources) announcements. Public hearings on the new resort development are where the real decisions about beach access and environmental protection will be made.
- Look, Don't Touch: Whether it's the sea turtles in the cove or the rocks on the shore, leave it as you found it. The island has been through enough.
The story of Great Saint James Island is still being written. It’s a transition from a private fortress of secrets to a potential commercial hub. Whether that's a "win" depends entirely on how the new owners handle the land and how much the public holds them accountable. For now, it remains a stunning, quiet neighbor to St. Thomas, waiting for its next identity to finally take hold.