From Malta: Gozo & Comino Full-Day Buggy Tour with Lunch

Gozo is best seen away from its main roads, and this tour puts you behind the wheel for exactly that. You follow a lead buggy through coastal tracks and country routes, stopping at places such as the Inland Sea, Wied il-Ghasri, the Qbajjar Salt Pans, and Ta’ Cenc Cliffs. I like the small-convoy format and the chance to reach narrow, off-road corners that a large bus cannot handle. I also like the return by boat, with views of Comino’s caves and a swim stop at Blue Lagoon in summer.

The biggest consideration is the insurance excess: you are responsible for the first €450 of any claim. You also need to be at least 21, hold a full valid driving license, and accept that the Comino boat section depends on weather. A recent booking had two buggies replaced by a jeep, so ask about vehicle availability if driving a buggy is the main reason you are booking.

Key points at a glance

• Two-seat automatic buggies: Each vehicle carries one driver and one passenger, with seatbelts and helmets provided.
• Gozo’s less accessible corners: Reach the Inland Sea, Wied il-Ghasri, Qbajjar Salt Pans, and Ta’ Cenc Cliffs by a mix of paved and off-road routes.
• A guide-led convoy: You drive yourself, but an experienced lead driver sets the route and keeps the group together.
• Maltese picnic included: An extended stop gives you time to eat, rest, and cool off.
• Comino by boat: The return crossing can include Comino’s caves, Blue Lagoon, and a summer swim from a Yippee boat.
• Important driving terms: Full licenses only, age 21 or older, with an excess of €450 on insurance claims.

Why a buggy is a good way to see Gozo

Gozo has plenty of sights that are easy to reach by car, but the most enjoyable part of this outing is the change of pace. You are not sitting behind a window while someone else points out the view. You steer your own automatic buggy, follow a guide, and get the feel of the island’s rougher tracks.

The vehicles are part of a brand-new fleet launched in August 2024. Each buggy seats two people, so one person drives while the other gets the better view and can help with directions. The automatic transmission keeps the controls simple, though you still need to be comfortable driving on uneven routes and staying in a convoy.

You should expect dust, sun, wind, and the occasional splash or rough patch. The tour is designed to go on and off-road, not to provide a smooth sightseeing ride. Wear closed shoes, bring sunglasses, and use the supplied helmet and hairnet. Raincoats are available when needed.

The guide leads from the front and gives a safety and operating briefing before departure. Guides may speak English, French, or Arabic. Names connected with recent departures include Wissar, Ouissem, and Yannick. Wissar was praised for explaining where the convoy was going and what it was seeing, while Yannick led one French-language outing after a vehicle change. If language matters to you, confirm your preferred language when booking.

Crossing from Malta to Gozo

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel or the closest accessible point. You need to provide a mobile number, preferably one that works with WhatsApp, along with your accommodation details. The local transport company sends the pickup information, and its vehicle carries a Yippee sign.

The transfer takes you to the boat or ferry crossing. When conditions allow, you use a Yippee boat reserved for the company’s clients. If weather prevents that service, ferry tickets are supplied instead. The crossing is more than a transfer. You get open-water views and a first look at Gozo from the sea.

Be ready at the agreed pickup point five minutes early. The operation can involve several minibuses meeting at the ferry, so the staff work to keep people together from Malta through the crossing and into Gozo. That matters on a busy morning, especially if you are unfamiliar with the port.

Cruise passengers have a specific pickup point outside Magazino Hall at 8:00 in the morning, with an expected return around 6:00 in the evening. For hotel pickups, the exact time depends on your location and is confirmed separately.

The Gozo buggy route

Once you reach Gozo, you meet the buggies and receive instructions on the controls, safety, and insurance. The convoy then heads into the island’s countryside and along its coast.

The route is not simply a list of photo stops. The appeal comes from moving between paved roads, narrow country lanes, and rougher tracks. You can see the island’s dry stone walls, open fields, and exposed coastline at a slower pace than a standard coach tour allows. The guide sets the speed and route, which reduces the chance of a wrong turn.

The Inland Sea at Dwejra is one of the more unusual stops. This sheltered body of water is linked to the open sea through a natural rock tunnel. An optional boat trip is available there, but it costs extra. You can choose to add it if you want a short ride on the water, or keep your time for the included stops and picnic.

At Wied il-Ghasri, a narrow inlet cuts inland between high limestone sides. It is a good example of the small-scale coastal scenery that is difficult to appreciate from a moving bus. The area can feel exposed and rugged, so sturdy shoes and sun protection are useful.

The Qbajjar Salt Pans show a quieter side of Gozo. Shallow rectangular pools are cut into the rock beside the sea, where salt has traditionally been collected. The patterns are especially striking from above, but the real value of stopping here is seeing how local work and the coast fit together.

At the Ta’ Cenc Cliffs, you get broad views from one of Gozo’s high coastal points. The cliffs are open and windy, with a strong sense of space. Keep close to the guide and follow any instructions near the edges. This is a scenic stop, not a place for careless wandering.

The exact order and length of stops can vary. Your guide needs to keep the convoy moving and allow time for the boat return, so do not expect long, independent visits at every location. The tradeoff is that you cover a lot of Gozo in one day without spending the entire time on major roads.

The picnic stop and pace of the day

A picnic is included, with an extended break for eating and resting. The food is described as an array of Maltese dishes, giving you a chance to try local flavors rather than relying only on a packaged snack.

This stop matters because the outing is active. You are driving, sitting in the open air, dealing with sun and wind, and getting in and out of the buggy at several points. Use the break to drink water, eat properly, and reset before the return journey.

The format also gives you a social pause without turning the whole tour into a long meal. You remain with the group, which helps the guide manage the convoy and keeps the schedule on track. If you have specific dietary needs, the supplied details do not promise alternatives, so ask before booking.

Returning past Comino’s caves

The ride back to Malta is one of the tour’s strongest features. Instead of simply returning by road and ferry, the Yippee boat can take you around Comino, passing its sea caves and stopping at one of the island’s lagoons.

In summer, you can swim from the boat. The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, with clear water and a famous setting between Comino and its surrounding islets. The boat arrangement gives you a view from the water and avoids making the entire day a land-based buggy outing.

Bring swimwear and a towel even if swimming is not your main goal. You may prefer to stay aboard and take photographs, but the boat stop is built around a refreshing swim when conditions permit.

The Comino section is weather dependent. If rough conditions make the route unsafe or impractical, the operator provides ferry tickets instead. That is a sensible safety limit, but it means you should not book this experience solely for the Blue Lagoon boat ride. The buggy day in Gozo is the reliable core of the outing; the Comino cruise is an attractive addition when the sea cooperates.

Price, insurance, and what the cost really covers

The listed price is $135 per group up to one person, though the pricing display is unusual for a two-seat vehicle. Confirm the final total for your party before paying, especially if two people plan to share one buggy or if you need more than one vehicle.

The price includes pickup and return, the crossing to Gozo, the self-drive buggy, guide, picnic, fuel, helmets, hairnets, and the return boat or ferry arrangement. You are paying for a full day of transport, equipment, guidance, and several different ways to see the islands. For two people sharing a buggy, the value is stronger than booking separate transport and sightseeing stops.

The important catch is insurance. The buggies have third-party insurance, but the first €450 of any claim is excluded. That amount is borne by the driver or hirer in the event of an accident. Read the terms carefully and drive conservatively. The off-road setting may feel playful, but this is still a motor vehicle excursion with financial responsibility attached.

Drivers must be at least 21 and must show an original, valid license. The instructions also say pictures and copies of licenses may be accepted along with a form of identification, but provisional and learner licenses are not accepted. Because the wording differs between the license requirements, bring the original full license if you can and clarify any concern before departure.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for couples, friends, and families with an adult driver who wants more action than a standard island tour. It suits you if you like being outdoors, are happy to follow a guide, and want a mix of driving, sightseeing, food, and swimming.

It is also a practical choice for a first visit to Gozo when you have limited time. In one day, you cover inland and coastal areas, see well-known points, and reach routes that are not suited to large vehicles.

This is not the right pick if you want a quiet, slow cultural tour, a private itinerary with long stops, or a guaranteed boat ride around Comino. It is also unsuitable for pregnant women. Anyone nervous about driving on rough tracks should consider a more conventional Gozo excursion.

The private-group label needs a little care. You may have your own booking, but the operating details describe a convoy, and a large combined morning transfer can involve many people. One recent Christmas departure involved more than 100 people across several minibuses before the group reached the ferry, although the staff kept everyone together. Expect an organized shared operation rather than a completely secluded day.

Practical preparation for the buggy

Bring a full driving license, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and closed-toe shoes. Add sun protection and a phone that can receive pickup messages. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Keep personal items compact. You will move between a transfer vehicle, boat, buggy, and several stops, so bulky luggage becomes a nuisance. Secure anything loose before setting off, particularly on rough tracks and in windy coastal areas.

Arrive at the pickup point five minutes early. Use the WhatsApp number you provide to watch for the confirmed meeting details. If your accommodation is on a narrow or restricted street, the pickup will be from the closest accessible point rather than necessarily from the front door.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity page displays a duration of 24 days, which is clearly inconsistent with the description of a full-day outing. Treat this as a full-day tour and confirm the exact departure and return times before you book.

Should you book the Gozo buggy tour?

Book it if you want Gozo in a single active day and like the idea of driving between the sights rather than simply being driven. The combination of off-road routes, the Maltese picnic, and the Comino boat return gives the outing more variety than a basic island transfer.

Before paying, confirm three things: the buggy is available for your date, the total price for your party, and the license and insurance terms. Be ready for the Comino boat section to change with the weather, and remember that you carry the first €450 of any insurance claim.

With those conditions understood, this is a strong choice for an outdoor-minded couple or small family. You get real time on Gozo’s back roads, clear coastal views, and a memorable finish on the water. If the vehicle changes to a jeep, ask immediately how any price difference will be handled, rather than relying on a later promise.

FAQ

How old must the buggy driver be?

The driver must be at least 21 years old and hold a full, valid driving license. Provisional and learner licenses are not accepted.

How many people fit in one buggy?

Each automatic buggy seats one driver and one passenger. Seatbelts are fitted.

What languages are available?

Guides may provide instruction in English, French, or Arabic.

Is the Blue Lagoon swim guaranteed?

No. The Comino boat trip and swim stop depend on weather and sea conditions. If the Comino boat section cannot operate, ferry tickets are provided.

What is included with the tour?

Pickup and return, the crossing to Gozo, a self-drive buggy, guide, picnic, fuel, helmets, hairnets, raincoats when required, and the return boat or ferry arrangement are included.

What financial responsibility does the driver have after an accident?

The buggies are third-party insured, but the first €450 of any claim is excluded from the insurance cover and must be paid by the driver or hirer.