Jeffrey Epstein’s island: Everything to know about “Orgy Island”
Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands carried nicknames such as Pedo Island and Orgy Island. Epstein himself preferred Little St. Jeff, a name that reflected his view of the property as his personal domain where ordinary rules did not apply.
Epstein built an international sex-trafficking operation that prosecutors say funneled underage girls to powerful clients. He faced charges in 2007, received a widely criticized non-prosecution deal, and was arrested again in 2019. He died in federal custody that August while awaiting trial; the medical examiner ruled the death a suicide. Federal agents later searched his properties, including Little St. James, in an effort to recover evidence.
Jeffrey Epstein bought Little St. James in the late 1990s
Located off St. Thomas and spanning roughly seventy-two acres, Little St. James offered the seclusion Epstein sought. He purchased the island in 1998 from venture capitalist Arch Cumming for nearly eight million dollars and immediately began extensive renovations.
Jeffrey Epstein regularly hosted parties on Little St. James
Former staff described frequent gatherings that featured high-profile guests flown in on Epstein’s private jet, nicknamed the Lolita Express. Among those named in court documents and victim accounts were L Brands CEO Leslie Wexner and Prince Andrew. Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, stated she saw former president Bill Clinton on the island; she recalled Epstein saying Clinton “owed him a favor.”
Some of Epstein’s worst abuses happened on the island
Attorneys representing Epstein’s victims have said the most serious assaults occurred on Little St. James. Several women described being pressured into sexual activity during gatherings and being prevented from leaving. One victim attempted to swim to neighboring Great St. James; she was intercepted and later told her passport was confiscated.
Epstein tried to buy the island next door
In 2016 Epstein offered twenty-two and a half million dollars for Great St. James, which sits within easy swimming distance. Local residents urged the owners not to sell, citing Epstein’s reputation for bringing underage girls to the area. The deal did not go through.
Epstein still brought underage girls to his private island
Despite registering as a sex offender after his 2008 guilty plea, Epstein continued to transport minors to Little St. James. Island residents reported seeing young women on the property as late as 2019, often dressed in uniforms that gave the appearance of staff.
The FBI raided Little St. James
After Epstein’s death, agents searched the island and removed computers and documents. Two activists later entered the property and filmed the blue-striped structure often called the temple, noting Epstein’s initials near the entrances and what appeared to be false doors.
Current Ownership and Development Plans
In May 2023 Epstein’s estate sold both Little St. James and Great St. James to financier Stephen Deckoff for sixty million dollars. Deckoff announced plans to convert the islands into a twenty-five-room luxury resort, yet as of early 2026 no construction permits have been issued and no work has begun.
The Blue-Striped Temple: Design Intent vs. Reality
The distinctive cubic building was originally permitted as an octagonal music pavilion intended to house a grand piano. Reporting later revealed that Epstein acquired tapestries from Mecca’s Grand Mosque for the interior, adding to questions about the structure’s true purpose.
Recent Document Releases and Island Revelations
In early 2026 the Department of Justice made millions of pages of Epstein files public. Among the newly released materials were internal emails and renovation plans referencing additional structures on Little St. James and further details on visitor activity.
Victim Compensation and Estate Settlements
Proceeds from the island sale contributed to Epstein estate settlements that have paid victims more than one hundred twenty million dollars to date. Lawsuits citing evidence recovered from Little St. James remain active.
More than six years after Epstein’s death, Little St. James stands under new ownership with development stalled and a growing public record that continues to shed light on what occurred there.
