GOZO All Inclusive Self Drive Jeep day tour wt Blue Lagoon

Gozo’s best feature is its mix of rough tracks, sea views, old stone sites, and quiet bays, and this tour lets you see much of it from a self-drive UTV. You follow a lead driver in convoy, with the route linking Dwejra, the salt pans, Wied Il-Għasri, Ta’ Pinu, Xlendi, the Cittadella, and more.

I like the off-road driving and the reserved boat connection to Comino. You get a real sense of Gozo’s open country without spending the day behind a bus window, then finish with sea caves and the Blue Lagoon. The main consideration is the tight schedule, plus a €450 insurance excess if your vehicle is damaged.

Key points to know before booking

• A six-seat automatic UTV: The vehicle has one driver and five forward-facing passenger seats, making it a practical choice for families and groups.
• A broad Gozo route: You visit Dwejra Bay, Ggantija, Xwejni Salt Pans, Wied Il-Għasri, Ta’ Pinu, Xlendi, the Cittadella, and Marsalforn.
• A boat reserved for Yippee clients: The crossing and return sail are included when sea conditions permit, with a route past Comino’s caves and Blue Lagoon.
• A summer swim stop: Bring beachwear because swimming is weather dependent and tied to the seasonal route.
• A light Maltese lunch: Expect Maltese nibbles, vegetarian baked pasta, water, and a Maltese dessert.
• A real driving requirement: Drivers must be at least 21, hold a full valid license, and accept the first €450 of any insurance claim.

Taking the wheel on Gozo

This is not a standard sightseeing coach tour with a quick photo stop at one monument after another. The central idea is simple: you drive a modern, fully automatic UTV through Gozo while a local lead driver sets the pace and direction.

The vehicle seats one driver and five passengers, all facing forward. That layout matters if you are comparing this with a quad tour. You can bring a family or a small group in one vehicle, and passengers are not perched behind the driver on narrow seats.

The route mixes paved roads with off-road sections, sandy stretches, valleys, and access roads to bays. You are not left to find your own way. The convoy system keeps the group together and lets the guide handle the route while you concentrate on driving and the views.

The activity is advertised as seven hours, not counting the transfer time. The detailed schedule allows about seven and a half hours, so I would treat it as a substantial full-day outing once pickup and return are added.

Pickup from Malta or Gozo

Yippee provides pickup from Malta or Gozo, either at your accommodation or at the closest assigned meeting point. There are many possible stops, from major hotels in St. Julian’s, Sliema, Mellieha, and St. Paul’s Bay to points around Gozo, including the Gozo Fast Ferry, Gharb Church, Qala Parish Church, and Grand Hotel Gozo.

You need to provide a mobile number, preferably WhatsApp, and your accommodation details when booking. The exact pickup time and point arrive later by WhatsApp or email, so do not rely only on the general list of locations. Be at the meeting point five minutes early, and allow some patience for Malta’s traffic.

The transport holds a Yippee sign. Transfer time is separate from the seven-hour tour, so the day can feel long, especially if you are collected far from the ferry or from a busy hotel district.

Crossing to Gozo by reserved boat

When weather and sea conditions allow, you cross to Gozo on a boat reserved for Yippee clients. That is a pleasant start because you avoid treating the ferry crossing as a separate task, and the boat adds a more personal feel to the move between islands.

The operator provides a ferry ticket whenever one is needed. If conditions are too rough for the private crossing or return sailing, the trip uses the Gozo Channel communal ferry instead, with tickets provided.

That weather clause is important. The route is built around both land and sea, but the boat portion cannot be guaranteed in severe conditions. You still get the Gozo tour, yet the private crossing and scenic return may be replaced by the regular ferry.

Dwejra Bay and the west of Gozo

Dwejra Bay is one of the day’s big scenic stops. You have time for a break, photographs, guided sightseeing, and views along the coast. The area is known in the tour for its Inland Sea, and the route gives you a chance to see one of Gozo’s most recognizable coastal settings.

I would expect Dwejra to be a stop for looking and walking rather than a long beach session. The schedule packs in many points, so keep your camera ready and listen for the guide’s instructions about how long you have.

The off-road focus makes this part more enjoyable than it would be on a simple road transfer. You can appreciate the open coastal setting, then get back into the UTV and continue through the island instead of waiting for a large vehicle to load and unload.

Ggantija and Gozo’s older story

Ggantija Temples add an important change of pace. The site brings ancient stonework into a day otherwise driven by cliffs, bays, and country roads. An entrance is listed, so this is more than a roadside view.

The visit is classed as sightseeing, without a fixed duration in the supplied schedule. I would ask the guide how much time is planned if ancient sites are a priority for you. With so many stops, the visit may be focused rather than leisurely.

That balance is one of the tour’s strengths and limits. You see a lot of Gozo in one day, but you should not book it expecting long, quiet hours at every archaeological and coastal stop.

Salt pans, Wied Il-Għasri, and Ta’ Pinu

At Xwejni Salt Pans, the tour pauses for sightseeing. The pans offer a different view of Gozo, with the coast shaped for salt production rather than swimming or cliff watching. The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes, enough for photos and a quick look.

Wied Il-Għasri is another 30-minute stop. This narrow coastal valley is one of the more unusual places on the route. Its shape gives you a sense of how water has cut into the rock, and it is a good place to appreciate Gozo away from the main resort bays.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu gets about 15 minutes. That is a short visit, but the basilica is a major landmark and a useful stop for travelers interested in Gozo’s religious buildings and local identity.

I like this section because it shows three different sides of the island in quick succession: working coast, dramatic rock formation, and religious heritage. You will need comfortable clothes and shoes because the day involves repeated short walks and getting in and out of the vehicle.

Cliffs, bays, and the island’s resort side

Ta’ Cenc Cliffs are listed among the places the UTV route can visit, along with Gozo’s valleys and remote bays. The exact points can vary, particularly in summer when the route includes swimming, so the guide may adjust the order or make small changes.

Xlendi Bay receives a short five-minute sightseeing stop in the schedule. That is enough for a quick look and perhaps a photograph, but not enough for a proper waterfront break. If you want a slow meal or a long swim at Xlendi, this tour is not designed around that.

Marsalforn Bay gets about ten minutes. It is another brief coastal stop, useful for seeing one of Gozo’s best-known seaside areas without giving up the inland sites later in the day.

The quick timing can feel rushed, but it also explains how the tour covers so much territory. A slower private day could give you more time in fewer places. This trip is for seeing a broad sample while adding the fun of driving between stops.

The Cittadella and central Gozo

The Cittadella in Victoria is scheduled for about 30 minutes, with another 15-minute sightseeing stop listed nearby. The fortified hilltop is one of Gozo’s essential sights, and its position helps you understand how the island’s towns and countryside fit together.

Half an hour is enough to get a feel for the place and take in the views, but it is not a full historical visit. If you want to study every church, museum, and lane inside the walls, plan a separate visit during your stay.

For me, this is an important inclusion because the tour is not only about engine noise and sea air. The Cittadella gives the day a strong cultural center, while Ggantija and Ta’ Pinu add more depth to the sightseeing.

Lunch with Maltese flavors

The included meal is a light traditional Gozitan lunch. The stated menu includes Maltese nibbles, vegetarian baked pasta, water, and a Maltese dessert.

This is useful fuel rather than a long food tour. The meal suits you if you want something simple and included, but you should not expect a choice of several main courses or a lengthy restaurant experience.

Tell the operator about dietary requests or food allergies before the day. That advice matters because the menu is set in broad terms, and advance notice gives the provider a chance to prepare.

The return boat past Comino and Blue Lagoon

The sea portion is a strong finish. A boat reserved for Yippee clients takes you toward Comino, with a 20-minute boat cruise listed for Comino and another 20 minutes for the Blue Lagoon.

The scenic return is meant to pass sea caves and the Blue Lagoon when weather permits. In summer, a swim stop is included, so bring beachwear and remember that towels are not provided.

Do not read the Blue Lagoon stop as a guaranteed long beach visit. This is a boat cruise with a possible swim stop, and the final shape depends on sea conditions and the summer route. If the water is rough, the operator may use the communal ferry instead.

Still, the boat adds real value to the $165 price. You are not paying only for UTV hire and a guide. The package also covers transport from Malta or Gozo, the Gozo crossing, lunch, the return boat, and the chance to see Comino from the water.

What $165 buys you

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Gozo. You are paying for an active format, included transfers, a UTV, a guide, lunch, and boat connections. If you would otherwise book separate transport, a meal, and a Comino cruise, the price becomes easier to justify.

The biggest value is time. In one day you can reach Dwejra, Ggantija, the salt pans, Wied Il-Għasri, Ta’ Pinu, Xlendi, the Cittadella, Marsalforn, Comino, and Blue Lagoon. A bus tour may cover some of these places, but the self-drive element gives the movement between them more energy.

The insurance terms need attention. The cover excludes the first €450 of any claim, and that amount is your responsibility if there is an accident. I would treat this as a serious booking condition, not a footnote. Drive carefully, follow the lead vehicle, and make sure every driver understands the arrangement before taking the wheel.

Who will enjoy this Gozo day

I would recommend the tour to active families, couples, and groups of friends who want variety. The six-seat forward-facing UTV works well for a group that wants to stay together, and the automatic transmission removes the need to manage a manual gearbox.

It also suits you if you prefer a guided route but still want to drive. You get the security of following a local lead driver instead of navigating unfamiliar roads and tracks alone.

The tour is less suited to you if your main goal is a quiet beach day, a long archaeological visit, or a slow lunch. The schedule is busy, and the best parts come from the combination of many short stops, off-road sections, and the boat ride.

Drivers must be at least 21 and must show a valid driving license. Provisional licenses are not accepted. Pregnant women are advised against participating, while foldable wheelchairs and small lightweight pushchairs can be accommodated with advance notice. Child car seats are available on request.

Languages, weather, and practical preparation

The leader can provide instruction in Arabic, French, German, Polish, Spanish, English, Dutch, and other listed languages depending on the assigned guide. Stephan is one named guide associated with the experience, but you should not assume he will lead your specific departure.

Wear comfortable clothes and use sunscreen. Bring beachwear in summer, but pack as if the swim might not happen because conditions can change. Towels are not included.

The UTV ride means you should expect dust, sun, wind, and repeated stops. Keep phones and cameras secure, and choose clothes that are comfortable for a full day outdoors.

The activity is described as a private group, and the provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still moving, but the exact pickup details arrive only after booking.

Should you book it?

Book this Gozo tour if you want active sightseeing with a lot packed in. The strongest reasons are the self-drive UTV, the wide island route, and the reserved boat connection to Comino and Blue Lagoon. The mix of off-road driving, coastal views, ancient sites, lunch, and sea caves gives you more variety than a simple island transfer.

Think twice if you dislike tight schedules, short stops, or financial responsibility for vehicle damage. Also remember that the swim and private boat crossings depend on weather.

For the right person, $165 is a fair price for a full package and a memorable way to see Gozo. I would choose it over a basic coach excursion if driving is part of the fun, but I would choose a slower private sightseeing day if one or two major sites matter more to you than covering the island.

FAQ

How long does the Gozo UTV tour last?

The tour duration is seven hours, excluding transfer time. The detailed schedule indicates about seven and a half hours of sightseeing and activities, so you should allow extra time for pickup and return.

Does the tour include pickup?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included from Malta or Gozo, either at your hotel or at the closest assigned pickup point.

What age must the driver be?

Drivers must be at least 21 years old and must provide a valid driving license. Provisional licenses are not accepted.

How many people fit in the UTV?

The fully automatic UTV has one driver and five passengers, with forward-facing seats.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch consists of Maltese nibbles, vegetarian baked pasta, water, and a Maltese dessert.

Is swimming included?

A summer swim stop is included when weather conditions permit. You should bring beachwear, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Towels are not included.

Does the tour include the Blue Lagoon?

The return boat includes a cruise to Comino and the Blue Lagoon when weather permits. The route can include a scenic sail past sea caves and a summer swim stop.

What happens if the sea is rough?

If sea or weather conditions are severe, the crossing and return use the Gozo Channel communal ferry. Ferry tickets are provided.

What is the insurance excess?

The insurance cover excludes the first €450 of any claim. The driver or hirer must pay that amount if an accident results in a claim.