To foster, develop and promote a sustainable tourism industry for the British Virgin Islands The British Virgin Islands are an archipelago of 60-plus islands, of which 21 are inhabited, with a population of 27,302. The BVI is located 60 miles east of Puerto Rico between latitude 18.25 degrees north and longitude 64.37 degrees west. Just 30 minutes from San Juan, Puerto Rico by plane or 45 minutes by ferry from St. Thomas, USVI.