If you’re staring at a map of the Caribbean, Great Saint James US Virgin Islands probably looks like just another green speck in a sea of turquoise. It sits right off the coast of St. Thomas, separated by the narrow, churning waters of Current Cut. Most people know it for the wrong reasons. They see the name and immediately think of the late Jeffrey Epstein, who bought the 165-acre island in 2016 to complement his existing "Little Saint James" across the way. But that’s a narrow, dark lens to view a place that has a much longer history—and a much more beautiful reality—than the court documents suggest.
The island is raw. It's rugged. Unlike the manicured lawns and faux-temples of its smaller neighbor, Great Saint James feels like the Caribbean did fifty years ago.
The Reality of Great Saint James US Virgin Islands Today
Honestly, the island is currently in a state of limbo. After the fallout of the Epstein estate, the property was eventually put on the market. In 2022, billionaire Stephen Deckoff, founder of SD Investments, purchased both Great and Little Saint James for about $60 million. That's a massive drop from the initial $125 million asking price.
What’s he doing with it?
The plan is a luxury resort. But don't expect a Marriott. We're talking about a high-end, world-class destination that supposedly aims to "rebrand" the islands and bring actual, legitimate tourism revenue to the territory. Whether that happens fast or slow is anyone's guess. Planning permissions in the USVI are a notoriously tangled web of DPNR (Department of Planning and Natural Resources) hearings and environmental assessments.
Christmas Cove: The Real Reason People Go
Forget the private ownership for a second. If you’ve ever been on a day boat out of Red Hook or Cruz Bay, you’ve been to Great Saint James US Virgin Islands without even setting foot on the dirt.
On the western side of the island lies Christmas Cove.
It is, hands down, one of the best mooring spots in the region. The water is almost always calm. It’s protected from the heavy swells. Because it's part of the St. James Marine Reserve, the snorkeling is top-tier. You’ll see turtles—lots of them—grazing on the seagrass beds. Rays glide along the sandy bottom like ghosts. You don't need to be a billionaire to enjoy the best part of this island; you just need a snorkel mask and a pair of fins.
The Pizza Boat Phenomenon
You can't talk about Great Saint James without mentioning Pizza Pi.
Think about this: a custom-built, 47-foot aluminum sailboat that is a fully functioning pizzeria. It stays anchored in Christmas Cove. You can literally pull up on a dinghy or swim over (if you’re feeling ambitious) and grab a "Holy Grail" Margherita pizza. It’s the kind of quirk that makes the USVI special. It turns a "notorious" island into a place where families spend their Sunday afternoons.
The contrast is wild.
On one hand, you have the heavy, complicated history of the land itself. On the other, you have a boat full of teenagers and tourists eating pepperoni slices while watching a hawksbill turtle surface for air.
Environmental Stakes and the Marine Reserve
The waters around Great Saint James US Virgin Islands are part of the St. James Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary. This isn't just a fancy title. It means there are strict rules.
- No fishing.
- No taking shells or coral.
- Strict anchoring rules to protect the reef.
The coral here has struggled, like much of the Caribbean, with Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). However, because the cove is somewhat sheltered, there are pockets of resilience. Local scientists from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) often monitor these reefs. They’re looking at how the biodiversity here can help seed other damaged areas in the territory.
The island itself is home to endangered plant species and provides a nesting ground for various sea birds. When you look at the cliffs of Great Saint James, you aren’t just looking at "real estate." You’re looking at a vital ecosystem that’s been under threat from development for decades.
Why the "Private Island" Label is Complicated
In the US Virgin Islands, the beaches are public up to the high-tide mark. This is a huge point of contention and pride for locals.
While someone can "own" Great Saint James, they don't own the water, and they don't own the sand where the waves hit. This legal nuance is why you’ll see locals and tourists alike hanging out in the bays around the island. The "keep out" signs might be on the trees, but the water belongs to everyone.
The Future: What Happens Next?
The transition from a "private lair" to a "luxury resort" is a bumpy road. Deckoff has publicly stated he wants to help the local economy, but the community is understandably skeptical. People in St. Thomas remember the years of mystery surrounding the island. They want transparency.
The redevelopment will likely involve:
- Significant environmental remediation (clearing out unpermitted structures).
- Building a sustainable power grid (likely solar, given the USVI's high energy costs).
- Navigating the delicate balance of the marine sanctuary.
The sheer scale of Great Saint James—it’s much larger than Little Saint James—means there is more room for a "hidden" resort that doesn't spoil the view from St. Thomas. But for now, the island remains mostly quiet, a silhouette against the sunset for people dining at restaurants in Red Hook.
Navigating Great Saint James: Practical Advice
If you're planning to visit the USVI and want to see Great Saint James, don't try to "hike" it. It’s private property, and security is tighter than you’d think. Instead, experience it from the water.
Rent a powerboat for the day. Ask the captain to take you to the "back side" of Great Saint James. The rock formations are stunning—sheer cliffs that drop into deep blue water. It looks more like the coast of Ireland than the Caribbean for a brief moment, minus the palm trees.
Then, hit Christmas Cove.
Go early. By 1:00 PM, the cove is usually packed with catamarans and the music starts pumping. If you get there at 9:00 AM, it’s a cathedral of silence. You can hear the "crunch" of parrotfish eating algae off the rocks. It’s a completely different world.
Moving Forward with Local Insight
To truly understand Great Saint James US Virgin Islands, you have to look past the tabloid headlines. It is a piece of Caribbean geography that has survived a weird, dark chapter and is now waiting for its next act.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the Pizza Pi Schedule: They are seasonal. Don't boat out there in October expecting a slice without checking their social media first.
- Support Local Charters: Instead of the massive "cattle marans," hire a local captain from Red Hook. They’ll give you the real history of the island, not just the sensationalized version.
- Respect the Reserve: Use reef-safe sunscreen. It's the law in the USVI anyway, but in the Marine Reserve, it's vital for the turtles you're there to see.
- Monitor the DPNR filings: if you’re a real estate or development nerd, the public records in the USVI will show exactly what the resort plans look like as they get approved.
Great Saint James isn't just a "ghost island." It’s a resilient piece of the USVI that’s slowly being reclaimed by the people who actually love the water and the land.