Cruise passengers visiting St. Thomas often wonder if they can see Epstein’s island while arriving or leaving the harbor. Here’s what travelers should realistically expect.
Every cruise season in St. Thomas, someone on the ship asks the same question.
“Is that Epstein’s island?”
It comes up while ships are arriving in the harbor, leaving the port, or sailing toward the British Virgin Islands. The islands sit relatively close to St. Thomas, so naturally people are curious.
Here is the realistic answer to what you might actually see from a cruise ship.
Where Epstein’s Island Is Located
The island most people are referring to is Little St. James, a small private island just off the east end of St. Thomas.
It sits about two miles southeast of the island near Red Hook, between St. Thomas and St. John.
Right next to it is Great St. James, a slightly larger island that is also privately owned.
Both islands are visible from parts of St. Thomas and from the surrounding water.
Will Cruise Ships Pass Close to It?
Most cruise ships visiting St. Thomas dock in Charlotte Amalie, which is on the south side of the island.
Ships typically approach from the south or southwest, sailing past Hassel Island and entering the harbor.
Because of this route, cruise ships do not usually pass directly next to Little St. James when arriving in port.
However, depending on the cruise itinerary, ships leaving St. Thomas and heading toward the British Virgin Islands sometimes pass within view of the eastern side of the island chain.
That means it is possible to see the islands in the distance, but they are not a central landmark during most cruise arrivals.
What You Might Actually See
From a distance, Little St. James appears as a small, green island with a few visible structures.
Years ago, one of the most recognizable features was a turquoise-colored building with a distinctive dome, which many visitors noticed from boats passing by.
Today, much of the property is undergoing redevelopment and changes to the landscape have altered what is visible from the water.
From a cruise ship several miles away, the island often looks like just another small island among many scattered across the Virgin Islands.
How Close Boats Can Get
The waters around Little St. James are private property.
Boats are allowed to pass through surrounding waters, but they cannot dock or approach the shoreline without permission.
Charter boats and sightseeing trips sometimes pass nearby, but they maintain a respectful distance.
If You Want to See It From the Water
Visitors sometimes notice the islands while taking:
• snorkeling trips
• private boat charters
• sailing excursions between St. Thomas and St. John
• trips heading toward the British Virgin Islands
Even then, the islands are typically viewed from offshore.
Most tours do not stop there.
Why Visitors Ask About It
Curiosity is the main reason travelers ask.
Little St. James became internationally known due to its previous owner and the widely reported legal cases connected to the property.
Many visitors arriving in the Virgin Islands hear about the island before traveling and naturally wonder where it is.
What Matters More for Visitors
While the island gets attention online, it is a very small part of the Virgin Islands.
Most travelers quickly realize the real highlights of visiting St. Thomas and St. John are much closer and far more memorable.
Clear water beaches, snorkeling reefs, sailing trips, and island hopping between the US and British Virgin Islands are what people come here for.
Local Tip
If you're standing on the deck of a cruise ship leaving St. Thomas and looking east toward St. John, you may see several small islands scattered across the water.
Little St. James is one of them, but unless someone points it out, it usually blends into the scenery like the rest of the beautiful islands around it.