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

Gozo is made for four-wheel adventure. This full-day trip pairs a self-drive buggy with narrow country tracks, coastal views, a Maltese picnic, and a boat ride around Comino. I like the access to places a standard bus cannot reach, especially Wied il-Ghasri, Qbajjar Salt Pans, and Ta’ Cenc Cliffs. I also like the return by Yippee boat, which adds cave views and a summer swim at the Blue Lagoon.

The main caution is the driving requirement and insurance excess. Every driver must be at least 21, hold a full valid license, and accept responsibility for the first €450 of an insurance claim. The tour also depends on the weather, and a buggy breakdown has caused at least one booking to be changed to a jeep, so confirm any promised refund before leaving Malta.

Key points at a glance

• New buggy fleet: The current all-terrain fleet launched in August 2024, with automatic buggies, seatbelts, helmets, and room for one driver plus one passenger.
• Gozo beyond the main roads: The convoy reaches coastal tracks and country routes near the Inland Sea, Wied il-Ghasri, Qbajjar Salt Pans, and Ta’ Cenc.
• Boat ride around Comino: The return trip includes a Yippee boat past Comino’s caves, with a summer swim stop when conditions allow.
• Maltese food included: An extended stop gives you time to eat a picnic and recharge instead of rushing from one viewpoint to the next.
• Guides set the tone: The tour runs in English, French, or Arabic. Guides named in the feedback include Wissar, Ouissem, and Yannick.
• Plan for a long day: Pickup, the crossing to Gozo, driving, lunch, and the boat return can occupy roughly the full daylight schedule.

Why a Gozo buggy makes sense

Gozo is small, but it is not simple. The island has quiet lanes, rough tracks, cliffs, salt pans, farm country, and coastal points that do not fit neatly into a standard coach route.

A buggy gives you a closer look. You smell the countryside, feel the uneven track, and stop in places where a large vehicle cannot turn easily. The tradeoff is that you are not simply sitting back and watching the island pass by. You need to drive, follow the lead vehicle, and stay alert in a convoy.

The automatic buggies are designed for a fairly broad range of drivers. Each one carries a driver and one passenger, and seatbelts are fitted. Helmets, hairnets, fuel, and raincoats when needed are supplied, but you should bring closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel.

The fleet was replaced with brand-new buggies in August 2024. That is useful reassurance, but machines can still fail. One booking had two buggies replaced by a jeep, with a €100 refund promised afterward. If your vehicle is changed, get the refund terms in writing before the tour continues.

Starting in Malta and crossing to Gozo

Pickup is arranged from your hotel or the closest accessible point. The company asks for a mobile number with the country prefix, preferably one that uses WhatsApp, plus your accommodation details.

You should be at the agreed pickup point five minutes early. The transport carries a Yippee sign, and the driver takes you to the ferry or boat crossing. The operation can involve several minibuses meeting at the same point, so keep your group together and follow the staff rather than wandering off for coffee at the wrong moment.

The crossing to Gozo is part of the experience, not just a transfer. One detailed account praised the way the ferry views opened up across the water and how the staff kept everyone together after arrival. That organization matters on a full-day outing, especially if you are unfamiliar with Malta’s ferry points.

The boat crossing to Gozo is included when weather permits. If a Yippee boat cannot operate, a regular ferry ticket is provided as needed. This is practical, but it also means your transport style can change with the conditions.

Cruise ship passengers have a specific pickup arrangement outside Magazino Hall at 8:00 a.m., with a return at about 6:00 p.m. That is a long shore excursion day, so do not book it if your ship has a tight all-aboard time.

The safety briefing and the buggy convoy

Before setting off, you receive an operational safety briefing. The staff explain the buggy controls, convoy procedure, and insurance cover. Listen closely, even if you have driven similar vehicles before. The point of a guided convoy is to keep the group moving as one, not to race between stops.

You lead your own vehicle, but you do not choose the route. An experienced guide drives at the front, and you follow the line through paved and unpaved sections. Guides are available in English, French, and Arabic.

The driving rules are firm:

• Drivers must be 21 or older.
• A full, valid driving license is required.
• Provisional and learner licenses are not accepted.
• Original licenses are preferred, though copies and pictures of licenses are accepted with a form of identification.
• The buggies are third-party insured.
• The driver or hirer is responsible for the first €450 of any claim.

That last point deserves attention. A €135 advertised price can look modest for a full day, but the insurance excess is a serious financial condition. Drive within your comfort level, leave space in the convoy, and ask questions before signing anything related to damage.

Inland Sea and the rougher side of Gozo

The route includes the Inland Sea area at Dwejra, one of Gozo’s best-known coastal settings. The water sits inside a sheltered inlet linked to the open sea by a narrow rock tunnel.

The optional Inland Sea boat trip is not included. You can view the area as part of the buggy route, then decide if you want to pay separately for the boat. That flexibility is welcome, since some people prefer to stay with the main schedule while others want a closer look at the water passage.

The buggy format works well here because the area is about more than one famous viewpoint. You get the feeling of moving through Gozo’s exposed western edge, with rough ground and open sea around you. Conditions can be hot, dusty, or wet depending on the season, so sunglasses and sensible shoes are not minor details.

Wied il-Ghasri and Qbajjar Salt Pans

Wied il-Ghasri is a narrow coastal inlet cut into the rock. The setting feels more tucked away than the open cliff points, and it gives the convoy a change of pace after the rougher coastal riding.

The Qbajjar Salt Pans offer another shift in scenery. The shallow salt beds form a geometric pattern beside the sea and show how Gozo’s coast has long been used for work as well as sightseeing. This is the kind of stop that gives the tour more substance than a string of quick photo breaks.

The route is not presented as a race. You stop at selected places, hear about where you are going, and continue behind the lead driver. One strong account singled out Wissar for clear explanations and good control of the group. That guide-led structure is valuable because the off-road sections would be less enjoyable if you had to navigate them alone.

Ta’ Cenc Cliffs and the island’s open views

Ta’ Cenc Cliffs bring the tour to one of Gozo’s more dramatic high points. From the cliff area, the open sea and exposed rock give you a sense of the island’s scale, even though Gozo itself is compact.

A buggy is a good match for this part of the route. You can cover ground between stops without spending the whole day in a van, and the ride itself becomes part of the sightseeing. Still, cliff country requires common sense. Stay with the guide and follow instructions around uneven ground and exposed edges.

The exact order of the stops can change. The tour is weather dependent, and the guide has to keep the convoy together, fit in lunch, and reach the return boat. Think of the listed places as the planned route, not a guarantee that you will spend a fixed number of minutes at every one.

Lunch is a useful pause, not just a meal

A picnic is included during an extended stop. The food is described as an array of Maltese dishes, giving you a chance to try local flavors rather than relying on a quick snack from a roadside café.

This pause matters for the rhythm of the day. Driving a buggy over mixed surfaces takes more energy than sitting on a coach, and a proper stop gives you time to eat, rest, and catch up with your passenger.

The supplied information does not give a full menu, so do not book this expecting a specific dish or a special diet unless you confirm it first. The meal is best understood as a practical included lunch that keeps the tour moving.

Returning by boat around Comino

The return journey is one of the tour’s best features. Instead of simply retracing the crossing, the Yippee boat sails around Comino and passes its caves before heading toward the Blue Lagoon.

The boat is reserved for Yippee clients when conditions allow. That can make the return feel like a second sightseeing segment rather than a basic transfer. You see the coast from sea level, where the caves and pale rock formations look different from the inland views.

During the summer season, the boat stops at one of Comino’s lagoons for a swim. The Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction, but it is also the part most affected by weather and sea conditions. Bring swimwear and a towel, but treat the swim as a seasonal opportunity, not a year-round promise.

If the Comino boat section cannot run because of weather, ferry tickets are provided instead. You still return as planned, but you lose the cave sightseeing and swim stop. That is the most important weather-related limitation to understand before booking.

How much value do you get for the price?

The listed price is $135 per group up to one person, though the wording is unusual for a buggy that seats one driver and one passenger. Confirm the final price for your party, how passengers are assigned, and whether the quoted amount covers one buggy or one booking.

Value depends on how you use the day. You receive transport from Malta or Gozo, the Gozo crossing, a self-drive buggy, fuel, safety gear, a guide, lunch, and the return boat experience when weather allows. If you arranged separate transport, a vehicle rental, a meal, and a Comino cruise, the costs could add up quickly.

The tour is particularly good value if you want several types of experience in one day: driving, rural Gozo, coastal stops, local food, and a boat ride. It is less compelling if you mainly want a quiet beach day or a slow cultural tour.

The private-group description also needs a little context. Your booking may be private, but the operating convoy can be large. One Christmas booking involved more than 100 people arriving in several minibuses before the ferry, although staff kept the group organized. Expect a managed convoy rather than a completely private island outing.

Who should book this Gozo day?

I would choose this for couples, friends, and families who enjoy active sightseeing and do not mind dust, sun, or a firm schedule. It is also a strong option if you have already seen Malta’s main roads and want a more physical way to reach Gozo’s quieter corners.

It may suit you if:

• You have a full valid license and are comfortable driving an automatic off-road buggy.
• You want both Gozo and Comino in one day.
• You value a guide and convoy rather than independent route planning.
• You like outdoor stops more than museums or long restaurant meals.
• You can accept that the boat and swim depend on the weather.

This is not suitable for pregnant women. It is also a poor match if you dislike uneven driving, cannot accept the €450 insurance excess, or need a guaranteed swim and boat itinerary.

Guide quality adds real value. French-speaking guide Yannick was described as pleasant and capable after a vehicle substitution, while Ouissem received warm praise from French-speaking participants. Wissar was also singled out for informative commentary and strong group handling. The languages offered make this easier for mixed-language groups, though you should request your preferred language when booking.

Practical advice before you go

Bring your license, identification, sunglasses, swimwear, towel, and closed-toe shoes. Do not bring alcohol or drugs.

Use WhatsApp if possible, and watch for the pickup confirmation with your meeting point and time. Pickup points are based on Yippee’s operating locations, not always the exact entrance of your hotel.

Ask about three things before departure: the final price, the insurance excess, and what happens if a buggy is unavailable. The vehicle issue reported above does not mean a replacement will happen on your date, but it shows why a clear refund agreement matters.

The booking allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and offers reserve-now, pay-later terms. The activity page displays a duration of 24 days, which is clearly inconsistent with the full-day description. Check the actual date and starting time during booking rather than relying on that duration label.

My verdict: thrilling Gozo access with a few conditions

I would book this tour if I wanted an active, packed day and had a driver who met the license rules. The best parts are the off-road access, the range of Gozo stops, the Maltese picnic, and the Comino boat ride with a possible Blue Lagoon swim.

I would skip it if I wanted certainty, privacy, or a relaxed timetable. Check the price for your exact group, understand the €450 insurance responsibility, and confirm the weather plan. With those points settled, this is a lively way to see Gozo from the driver’s seat and Comino from the water.

FAQ

How long does the Gozo and Comino buggy tour last?

It is described as a full-day activity. The booking information also displays a duration of 24 days, which appears inconsistent, so you should check the actual starting time and date when reserving.

Is pickup included from Malta?

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

What license does the buggy driver need?

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

Can two people ride in one buggy?

Yes. The automatic buggies seat one driver and one passenger and have fitted seatbelts.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic with an array of Maltese dishes is included during an extended stop.

Is the Blue Lagoon swim guaranteed?

No. The swim stop is offered during the summer season and depends on weather and sea conditions.

What happens if the Comino boat trip cannot operate?

If weather prevents the Comino section, ferry tickets are provided instead. The cave sightseeing and swim stop may not be available in that case.

Is the Inland Sea boat trip included?

No. The Inland Sea Dwejra boat trip is optional and costs extra.