Private Islands of the Caribbean: The Story of Little Saint James and Island Ownership
Private Islands of the Caribbean: The Story of Little Saint James and Island Ownership
What does it take to own your own island? In the Caribbean, where thousands of islands dot the turquoise waters between Florida and South America, private island ownership has long been a symbol of ultimate exclusivity — and sometimes, infamy.
Today, we're exploring one of the most geographically fascinating corners of the Caribbean: the US Virgin Islands, with a particular focus on a small island that became one of the most talked-about pieces of real estate in modern history.
🌴 Understanding the US Virgin Islands
The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) are an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the Caribbean Sea, about 40 miles east of Puerto Rico. The territory consists of three main islands and roughly 50 smaller surrounding islands.
The Main Islands
| Island | Area | Population | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Croix | 84 sq mi (218 km²) | ~50,000 | Largest island, home to historic Christiansted |
| Saint Thomas | 32 sq mi (83 km²) | ~52,000 | Most populated, capital Charlotte Amalie |
| Saint John | 20 sq mi (52 km²) | ~4,000 | 60% covered by Virgin Islands National Park |
Geography and Climate
The Virgin Islands are the peaks of submerged mountains rising from the Caribbean ocean floor, part of the same geological formation as Puerto Rico's Cordillera Central. The territory sits at the boundary of the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate.
The climate is tropical, moderated by the trade winds — those prevailing east-to-west breezes near the equator. Temperatures hover between 77°F (25°C) and 90°F (32°C) year-round, with a wet season from May to November.
Fun fact: The US Virgin Islands drive on the left side of the road — one of the only US territories to do so. This is a holdover from when the islands were Danish colonies.
🏝️ The Saint James Islands: Geography of Exclusivity
Off the southeastern coast of Saint Thomas lie two small islands that have drawn significant attention in recent years: Great Saint James and Little Saint James.
Little Saint James
Area: Approximately 70-78 acres (28-32 hectares)
Location: 18°18′N 64°49′W, southeast of Saint Thomas
Type: Volcanic island
Highest point: Approximately 80 feet above sea level
Little Saint James is classified as an islet — a very small island. Despite its tiny size (about the same as a large shopping mall's footprint), it features:
- •Natural coastline with small beaches
- •Rocky cliffs on parts of the perimeter
- •Native vegetation including palm trees
- •Coral reef ecosystems in surrounding waters
Great Saint James
Area: Approximately 165 acres (67 hectares)
Location: Just north of Little Saint James
Features: Christmas Cove (popular snorkeling spot), undeveloped terrain
Great Saint James is the larger of the two islands and, until recent years, remained largely undeveloped. Its western cove, known as Christmas Cove, has long been a favorite mooring spot for charter boats and yachts exploring the area.
🗺️ How Do Private Islands Work?
Before diving into the specific history of these islands, it helps to understand how private island ownership actually works — especially in US territories.
Legal Framework in the USVI
In the US Virgin Islands, private islands operate under US property law, but with territorial regulations. Key aspects include:
- 1Coastal Zone Management: All development within coastal areas requires permits from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR)
- 1Public Access: By law, the public generally retains access to shorelines below the high-water mark
- 1Environmental Regulations: The Virgin Islands tree boa and other protected species require environmental impact assessments for development
- 1Utility Connections: Islands may connect to Saint Thomas's power grid via undersea cables, or rely on generators and solar
The Economics of Island Ownership
Private islands in the Caribbean typically sell for anywhere from $500,000 for undeveloped cays to over $100 million for developed estates. Factors affecting value include:
- •Proximity to main islands (for utilities, supplies, and access)
- •Natural harbor or dock potential
- •Existing infrastructure (buildings, desalination, power)
- •Size and topography
- •Legal jurisdiction (tax implications vary widely)
📜 A Brief History of Little Saint James
Little Saint James has changed hands several times, each owner leaving their mark on the tiny island.
Early Ownership (Pre-1998)
In 1997, the island was owned by venture capitalist Arch Cummin and listed for sale at $10.5 million. At the time, the property included:
- •A main house
- •Three guest cottages
- •A caretaker's cottage
- •A private desalination system
- •A helipad
- •A dock
The island had appeared in Condé Nast's House & Garden Magazine in 1996, showcasing its oval-shaped pool and cabanas.
The Infamous Era (1998-2019)
In April 1998, financier Jeffrey Epstein purchased the island for $7.95 million. Over the next two decades, Epstein significantly expanded the island's infrastructure.
Important context: Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted offender who used this island in connection with serious crimes. We won't detail those activities here, but the island's notoriety stems from its association with these events. The island became a symbol of how extreme wealth, privacy, and isolation can enable wrongdoing to go undetected.
What's geographically notable is how the island was transformed:
- •Power infrastructure: In 2005, an undersea combination power and fiber optic cable was installed connecting to Saint Thomas, eliminating the need for generators
- •Distinctive architecture: The island featured buildings with turquoise roofs, including a prominent blue-and-white striped structure often called the "temple" — though records suggest it was designed as a music pavilion
- •Expanded facilities: By 2019, the island had grown to include multiple residences, maintenance facilities, and landscaped grounds
The island's development was not without controversy. In 2016, authorities issued cease-and-desist orders for unpermitted land clearing, resulting in fines.
New Ownership (2023-Present)
In May 2023, both Little Saint James and Great Saint James were sold to Stephen Deckoff, a billionaire investor, for $60 million through his firm SD Investments. This was significantly below the original $125 million asking price.
The sale's proceeds were designated to settle lawsuits filed by victims. The new owner has not publicly disclosed plans for the properties.
🌊 Why Private Islands Fascinate Us
The allure of private island ownership has captivated humanity for centuries. From pirate hideaways to celebrity retreats, islands represent something primal: the fantasy of escape, of complete control over one's domain.
Famous Private Islands of the Caribbean
Little Saint James is just one of many notable private islands in the region:
| Island | Location | Notable Owner/Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Necker Island | British Virgin Islands | Richard Branson |
| Musha Cay | Bahamas | David Copperfield |
| Blackadore Caye | Belize | Leonardo DiCaprio (eco-resort project) |
| Mustique | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Multiple private estates; Princess Margaret had a villa |
| Cayo Espanto | Belize | Boutique resort, 5 villas only |
The Double-Edged Sword
Private islands offer seclusion, but that same isolation can enable misconduct to go unnoticed. The story of Little Saint James serves as a cautionary tale about how extreme privacy, vast wealth, and lack of oversight can create environments where serious crimes occur.
Today, there's increased scrutiny on private island developments in the USVI and beyond. Regulatory agencies are more attentive to permit compliance, and the era of completely invisible island empires may be ending.
🏖️ Visiting the US Virgin Islands
While you probably won't be buying a private island anytime soon, the US Virgin Islands are accessible to regular travelers — and they're stunning.
What to See
Saint Thomas:
- •Charlotte Amalie — Historic Danish colonial capital, duty-free shopping
- •Magens Bay — Consistently ranked among the world's best beaches
- •Coral World Ocean Park — Underwater observatory and marine life exhibits
Saint John:
- •Virgin Islands National Park — Covers 60% of the island
- •Trunk Bay — Famous underwater snorkeling trail
- •Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins — Historical insight into the island's colonial past
Saint Croix:
- •Christiansted — National Historic Site with 18th-century Danish architecture
- •Buck Island Reef National Monument — Protected underwater trail
- •Point Udall — Easternmost point in the United States
Getting There
As a US territory, American citizens don't need passports to visit the USVI. Flights connect to Charlotte Amalie (STT) and Saint Croix (STX) from major US hubs.
🌍 Test Your Caribbean Geography
How well do you know the islands of the Caribbean? Here are some geography challenges:
- 1How many independent countries are in the Caribbean? (Answer: 13)
- 1Which is the largest Caribbean island by area? (Answer: Cuba, at 42,426 sq mi)
- 1What's the only Caribbean country that drives on the right AND was a French colony? (Answer: Haiti)
- 1Which Caribbean nation is split between two countries? (Answer: Hispaniola — Haiti and Dominican Republic)
- 1What Caribbean island is famous for being the world's largest producer of nutmeg? (Answer: Grenada)
Want to test your full world geography knowledge? Try our Name the Country Quiz and see if you can identify all 197 nations!
Key Takeaways
- •The US Virgin Islands are volcanic peaks in the Caribbean, purchased from Denmark in 1917
- •Private island ownership in the USVI is governed by US property law plus territorial regulations
- •Little Saint James became infamous due to its former owner's crimes, but its geographic and architectural features make it an interesting case study
- •The islands were sold in 2023 for $60 million, with proceeds going to victim settlements
- •The Caribbean contains some of the world's most desirable (and controversial) private island real estate
The story of Little Saint James reminds us that geography isn't just about locations and coordinates — it's about how places are used, by whom, and what happens when extreme privacy meets extreme wealth.
This article focuses on the geography, history, and real estate aspects of private Caribbean islands. For information about the crimes committed at this location, please refer to news sources and legal documents.