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

Gozo is best seen away from its main roads, and this tour gives you a buggy, a local lead driver, and a route that reaches narrow country tracks and rough coastal paths. You get a self-drive buggy for two, plus a boat ride around Comino’s caves and a summer swim stop.

I like the mix of off-road fun and real sightseeing. Wied il-Għasri, the Qbajjar Salt Pans, and Ta’ Cenc Cliffs give the day more substance than a simple joy ride, while the Maltese picnic keeps you from losing time at a restaurant. The main caution is the insurance excess: the driver is responsible for the first €450 of any claim, and the Comino section depends on weather.

Key points at a glance

• Brand-new buggy fleet launched in August 2024: Automatic vehicles seat one driver and one passenger.
• Gozo’s quieter side: Reach the Inland Sea, Wied il-Għasri, Qbajjar Salt Pans, and Ta’ Cenc Cliffs by road and off-road track.
• Boat return through Comino: Sail past sea caves and stop to swim at a lagoon in summer, weather permitting.
• Lunch is built into the day: A Maltese picnic gives you time to eat and recharge without leaving the route.
• Experienced guides lead the convoy: Tours operate in English, French, or Arabic, with guides such as Wissar, Ouissem, and Yannick.
• Important driver rule: You must be at least 21 and hold a full valid driving license. Learner and provisional licenses are not accepted.

Why a Gozo buggy makes sense

Gozo is small, but its roads do not always make it feel that way. The island has country lanes, rough tracks, open coastal stretches, and corners that a standard sightseeing bus cannot reach. A buggy lets you cover more ground than walking while keeping you close to the sights, smells, and sounds of the countryside.

This is not a quiet scenic drive. You join a convoy behind a lead driver, follow the route, and switch between paved roads and off-road sections. The automatic buggies keep the controls simple, but you still need to be comfortable driving, watching the road, and keeping your place in the group.

The new fleet is a useful detail. The vehicles launched in August 2024, and each one has seatbelts. They seat two people, with one driver and one passenger, so couples or friends can share the ride. If you are booking for a larger party, check how the price is calculated and how many buggies are included before paying. The advertised rate is $135 per group up to one, which is not as clear as a standard per-person price.

Getting from Malta to Gozo

Pickup is arranged 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 pickup company sends the meeting information by email or WhatsApp, and the vehicle carries a Yippee sign.

Be ready five minutes before the agreed time. The transport brings you to the boat or ferry crossing. A Yippee boat is used when conditions allow, with a ferry ticket provided if needed. That flexibility matters in Malta, where wind and sea conditions can change the plan.

The crossing is part of the sightseeing rather than just a transfer. You get your first broad views of the islands from the water before meeting the Gozo team. One practical point from the day’s organization: several minibuses may converge at the ferry, but the operators work to keep the group together. That helps at a busy port, especially if you are unfamiliar with Malta.

Cruise ship passengers have a specific option outside Magazino Hall at 8:00 a.m., with an expected return around 6:00 p.m. That is a long day, so it works best when Gozo is a priority and you are willing to give up most of your port stop.

Safety briefing and setting off

Once you reach Gozo, you are taken to the vehicles for an operational and safety briefing. The team explains the controls, the convoy system, and the insurance conditions before you drive.

You must be at least 21 and carry an original, valid driving license. The information also says that pictures and copies of licenses may be accepted with a form of identification, but I would bring the original whenever possible. Provisional and learner licenses are specifically not accepted.

The buggies are third-party insured, but the first €450 of any claim is excluded from the cover. That amount falls to the driver or hirer if an accident occurs. Read the insurance explanation carefully and drive within your ability. Off-road driving is fun, but it is not risk-free.

Helmets, hairnets, fuel, and raincoats when required are supplied. You should bring closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, and a towel. Swimwear is useful even if the weather is uncertain, since the return boat may include a lagoon stop when conditions are suitable.

Pregnant women should not join this activity. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

The Inland Sea and Gozo’s western coast

The route includes the Inland Sea, one of Gozo’s most unusual coastal sights. It is a saltwater lagoon linked to the open sea by a narrow opening in the rock. The setting gives you a good first taste of Gozo’s raw western coast, where the land feels more exposed and rugged than the built-up parts of Malta.

An optional boat trip at the Inland Sea is not included. That is worth knowing before you arrive. The buggy tour already provides a water element later in the day, so you can decide if this extra boat ride is worth the additional cost rather than assuming every boat activity is covered.

From here, the tour moves through coastal roads and tracks. The guide leads from the front, so you are not left to find your own way through unfamiliar terrain. Wissar has been praised for keeping the route informative, explaining where the convoy is and where it is headed. Ouissem has also led the tour, and Yannick has guided in French.

The convoy format brings order to the day, but it also means you do not set your own pace. If you want to stop every few minutes for photographs, this may feel structured. If you prefer not to navigate, it is a major advantage.

Wied il-Għasri and the Qbajjar Salt Pans

Wied il-Għasri is a narrow coastal valley leading toward the sea. Its steep sides and tight shape make it one of the places where a small vehicle and guided route are more useful than a large coach. You can expect a photo stop and a chance to take in the unusual rock formations, though exact stop lengths can depend on the day’s conditions and convoy timing.

The Qbajjar Salt Pans offer a different view of Gozo. Here, shallow geometric pans cut into the coast show how seawater has long been used to produce salt. The setting is open, simple, and very photogenic, especially when the pans hold water and reflect the sky.

These stops are why I would choose this tour over a basic beach transfer. The buggy is not only a machine for speed. It is transport to places with a strong sense of place, and the guide adds context as you move between them.

You should expect dust, sun, and wind on exposed sections. Wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty, secure loose items, and protect your eyes. Sunglasses are on the required packing list for good reason.

Ta’ Cenc Cliffs and the countryside

Ta’ Cenc Cliffs bring the day back to Gozo’s high coastal edge. The cliffs offer wide views and a feeling of open space, with the sea below and the island’s countryside behind you. The route gives you access to scenery that feels far removed from the ferry terminal and resort areas.

The off-road sections are the heart of the activity. You are not simply driven to a viewpoint, you are operating the buggy along the route under the lead driver’s direction. That makes the day more active than a standard island tour, but it also demands attention. Keep both hands ready, follow the guide’s instructions, and leave enough room between vehicles.

The tour suits adventurous couples, friends, and families with an eligible adult driver. A passenger can enjoy the views without driving, so you do not need two licensed drivers for each buggy. If you are traveling with children, confirm the operator’s current age rules before booking, since the supplied information gives the driver age but not a separate passenger age.

Maltese picnic and time to recharge

The included lunch is a picnic with Maltese dishes. It is served during an extended stop, allowing you to eat, rest, and recharge without adding a long restaurant visit to the schedule.

That arrangement works well on a full-day outdoor tour. You keep more time for the route, and the meal becomes part of the day rather than a break from it. The picnic also gives passengers a chance to stretch after riding over rough tracks.

Do not expect a formal restaurant lunch or a menu built around special dietary needs unless you confirm those details ahead of time. The information only promises a picnic and an array of Maltese dishes. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, ask before booking.

Returning by boat through Comino

The return to Malta is the grand finish. Instead of simply retracing the ferry crossing, the Yippee boat sails around Comino, passing its sea caves and the Blue Lagoon. During the summer season, you stop at one of Comino’s lagoons for a swim from the boat.

This is a smart pairing with the buggy route. Gozo gives you roads, tracks, cliffs, valleys, and salt pans. The boat adds a completely different view of the islands, with the water close to the caves and the coast seen from sea level.

The Blue Lagoon stop is subject to weather and sea conditions. If the Comino boat section cannot operate, ferry tickets are provided instead. You should treat the swim as a seasonal bonus, not a guaranteed part of every departure.

Bring a towel and swimwear if you are traveling in summer. If the sea is rough or the weather turns, the boat sightseeing may change or be replaced. That is not a flaw in the tour so much as a reality of planning a sea-based activity in Malta.

How the organization affects the day

This is sold as a private group experience, but the operation can still involve a sizable convoy and several minibuses during transfers. One account of the Christmas departure described more than 100 people coming together for the ferry and transport stages. The buggy route itself is managed in a convoy, so you should not picture a completely private guide and vehicle for just two people.

The benefit is clear organization. Pickup, ferry connection, vehicle handover, briefing, route, lunch, and return transfer are arranged as one day. The downside is that a convoy can take longer to gather and may limit your freedom to stop or change direction.

Guide quality matters greatly here. Wissar has been singled out for being informative and keeping the group moving, while Ouissem and Yannick have also led tours in different languages. You can select English, French, or Arabic instruction when booking, subject to availability.

The tour launched a new buggy fleet in August 2024, but mechanical problems are still possible with any vehicle-based activity. If your assigned buggy is replaced by another vehicle, ask for any promised price adjustment in writing and keep the booking details. One French-language departure involved two buggy failures and a switch to a jeep, with a stated €100 refund still pending at the time of the account. That does not define every departure, but it is a useful reminder to clarify compensation before accepting a substitution.

Is $135 good value?

At $135 per group up to one, the pricing needs careful reading. The wording does not clearly explain whether this means one booking party, one driver, or one participant, so check the final price for your exact party and buggy arrangement.

The value is strongest if you want several activities in one day: transport from Malta or Gozo, the Gozo crossing, a self-drive buggy, a guide, fuel, safety equipment, picnic lunch, and the boat return around Comino when weather allows. Buying each part separately would take more planning and might not save money once transfers are included.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a relaxed swim at Blue Lagoon. The Comino stop is only one part of a long day, and the core activity is driving across Gozo. You are paying for access, transport, and structure as much as for the boat ride.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup details arrive after you provide your phone number and accommodation information, so monitor both email and WhatsApp.

Who should book this Gozo day?

Book it if you want an active day, enjoy driving, and like seeing several parts of an island without arranging separate transport. It is especially good for couples or friends who can share a two-seat buggy and for families with a driver aged 21 or older.

I would also choose it if you want more than postcard views. The Inland Sea, salt pans, narrow valleys, and cliff areas give the day variety, while the guide helps you understand where you are instead of simply pointing out names.

Think twice if you dislike dust, convoy driving, rough tracks, or fixed schedules. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, and the €450 insurance excess deserves serious attention. You should also avoid booking it only for the Blue Lagoon swim, since that part is seasonal and weather dependent.

FAQ

How long does the Gozo and Comino buggy tour take?

It is presented as a full-day experience. Cruise ship passengers are given an example schedule from 8:00 a.m. to about 6:00 p.m. The booking information also displays a duration of 24 days, which appears inconsistent with the full-day itinerary, so confirm the timing when reserving.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return are provided from your hotel or the closest accessible pickup point in Malta or Gozo.

How do I receive my pickup time?

Provide your mobile number, preferably a WhatsApp number, and your accommodation details. Pickup instructions are sent by email through the booking platform or by WhatsApp.

What age must the buggy driver be?

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

Can I use a provisional or learner license?

No. Provisional and learner driving licenses are specifically not accepted.

How many people fit in one buggy?

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

What happens if the weather stops the Comino boat trip?

The Comino section is weather dependent. If it cannot operate, ferry tickets are provided instead.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic with Maltese dishes is included. The optional Inland Sea boat trip is not included.

What equipment should I bring?

Bring your driving license, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and closed-toe shoes. Helmets, hairnets, fuel, and raincoats when required are supplied.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Gozo with some grit and motion. You will drive rather than simply look through a bus window, visit several distinctive coastal and countryside sites, eat a Maltese picnic, and finish with a boat ride around Comino when conditions permit.

Before paying, confirm the exact group price, pickup time, driver documents, and insurance excess. If you accept those terms and enjoy a full, active day, Yippee Malta’s buggy route offers a strong mix of scenery, local guiding, and outdoor fun.