Is there a map of Jeffrey Epstein’s island? Everything we know
Jeffrey Epstein purchased Little St. James in 1998 for $7.95 million and turned the 72-acre island in the U.S. Virgin Islands into a private compound used for sex trafficking. The property sat between St. Thomas and St. John, reachable by helicopter after flights into St. Thomas International Airport or by a short boat ride. High-profile visitors arrived regularly while staff maintained the main villa, guest cottages, and additional structures designed by Edward Tuttle.
Local residents gave the island grim nicknames such as Orgy Island and Pedophile Island, but its official name remained Little St. James. For the victims brought there, the setting offered no escape from repeated abuse.
Location
Little St. James lies in the Caribbean Sea southeast of St. Thomas. Epstein kept the property isolated, investing heavily in privacy measures that included restricted boat and air access. The villa and surrounding buildings featured luxury resort styling from the outset.
Temple
A distinctive structure on the island drew attention for its blue-striped base and golden dome. Permit records later showed the building was originally intended as a music pavilion. A piano tuner who visited described soundproofed walls consistent with a recording space, and staff accounts mentioned its use for music. The designer noted an exterior lock bar positioned to secure the interior from outside. Recent observations indicate the stripes and dome details have been painted over and the windows and doors boarded.
Fancy features
After a 2007 prison sentence, Epstein added an underground theater he called a Ziegfeld movie theater, a library holding roughly 90,000 volumes, and a Japanese bathhouse. The compound also included a helicopter pad, tennis court area, swimming pool, and several smaller outbuildings.
Constructed Google map
Drone footage from earlier years produced a composite map labeling the main house, cottages, pool, sundial area with surrounding benches, and other site features. Commenters noted shuttered windows and speculated about additional underground spaces, though those claims remained unverified.
Current Ownership and Redevelopment Plans
In May 2023 the island sold for $60 million to Stephen Deckoff through SD Investments. Plans for a 25-room luxury resort have not advanced past initial filings. As of early 2026 only a warehouse permit application appears in public records, leaving visible structures largely unchanged from the post-Epstein period.
Recent Document Releases and Visual Evidence
The House Oversight Committee released more than ten photographs and videos in December 2025 taken during a 2020 search. The images show bedrooms, the pool area, stacked furniture, removed artwork, and one room containing a dentist-style chair. Additional context from DOJ file releases describes renovations completed during Epstein’s ownership and offers clearer views of interior layouts.
Updates to the Temple Structure
Visitor accounts and media reports from 2025 and 2026 confirm the temple-like building now appears repainted and secured. The original blue and gold exterior elements are no longer visible. Permit documents continue to list the structure as a music pavilion, aligning with earlier staff descriptions of piano and recording use.
Public Interest and Trespassing Incidents
Media coverage and newly released files have renewed public attention. Multiple 2026 reports describe individuals detained for trespassing, including content creators attempting unauthorized visits. The property remains under private ownership with restricted access enforced.
Little St. James continues to draw scrutiny years after Epstein’s death. Ownership has changed and redevelopment remains stalled, yet the island’s documented history and newly released visual records keep its layout and features under ongoing examination.
