Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz: Galápagos Visitor Site & Cruises

About the site

Dragon Hill

Dragon Hill, on the northwest coast of Santa Cruz, takes its name from the land iguanas that live on its slopes, the dragons of the Galápagos. It is also a conservation success: in 1976 feral dogs almost wiped out the iguanas of this coast, and the last survivors were taken to the Charles Darwin Research Station to breed. Once the dogs were removed, the young iguanas were returned to the hill, the last of them in 1991, and the population has recovered.

A dry landing at a small dock leads to a trail of about three kilometers (two miles) round trip. It passes a brackish lagoon where flamingos, stilts and white-cheeked pintail ducks are sometimes seen, then climbs gently through dry forest of Palo Santo, Opuntia and candelabra cacti and Galápagos cotton to the top of the hill, with views over the coast and the nearby islets. Land iguanas rest beside the path and dig their burrows in the soil, and Darwin's finches, mockingbirds and yellow warblers are common.

Some itineraries add snorkeling or a panga ride along the coast before or after the walk.

The trail is moderate, mostly gentle but rocky in places, and very hot at midday, so the visit is usually made early or late in the day. Bring water and a hat.

Highlights

High Concentration of Wildlife

Live dates & prices

Cruises that visit Dragon Hill

25 yachts include Dragon Hill in their routes, with 1,503 upcoming departures from US$2,804 per person. These are the next ones.

Departure	Yacht	Route	Price per person	Mindo gift	Details
November 2026
11 – 15 Nov5 days / 4 nights	Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	B · Santiago, North Seymour & RábidaBaltra	US$2,842	Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers	See departure1 place left
11 – 18 Nov8 days / 7 nights	Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	D · Isabela, Floreana, Santiago & North SeymourBaltra	US$7,675	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure1 place left
12 – 16 Nov5 days / 4 nights	LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests	D · Española & FloreanaSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$2,804	Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers	See departureAvailable
12 – 19 Nov8 days / 7 nights	LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests	D+A · Genovesa, Española, Floreana & South PlazaSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$4,908	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departureAvailable
12 – 15 Nov4 days / 3 nights	HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests	D · Genovesa & SantiagoBaltra	US$7,095	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure1 place left
12 – 19 Nov8 days / 7 nights	HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests	D+A · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & North SeymourBaltra	US$14,495	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure1 place left
18 Nov – 2 Dec15 days / 14 nights	Cachalote ExplorerFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	Genovesa, Española, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra	US$9,450	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure2 places left
20 – 24 Nov5 days / 4 nights	InfinityLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests	5A · Española & FloreanaBaltra → San Cristóbal	US$5,845	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure3 places left
20 – 26 Nov7 days / 6 nights	La PintaLuxury cruise ship · 48 guests	Fernandina, Isabela & FloreanaBaltra	US$7,151~~US$7,946~~Save US$795	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departureAvailable
21 – 28 Nov8 days / 7 nights	EliteLuxury catamaran · 16 guests	A · Fernandina, Isabela, Bartolomé & North SeymourSan Cristóbal	US$9,990	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure2 places left
22 – 29 Nov8 days / 7 nights	Origin, Theory & EvolveLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests	B · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & RábidaSan Cristóbal	US$10,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure2 places left
22 – 26 Nov5 days / 4 nights	EndemicLuxury catamaran · 16 guests	C · Española, South Plaza & Santa FeBaltra	US$4,952~~US$6,190~~Save US$1,238	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departureAvailable