GOZO All Inclusive Self Drive Jeep day tour wt Blue Lagoon

Gozo rewards drivers who like their sightseeing rough-edged. I like the self-drive UTVs, which let you take the wheel on sandy tracks and country roads, and I like the private boat crossing that links Gozo with Comino and the Blue Lagoon. The main catch is the long day: seven tour hours plus transfers, with plenty of stops but limited time at some major sights.

You follow a local lead driver in convoy, so you are not left to find Gozo’s remote corners alone. The route mixes famous places such as Dwejra Bay and the Ggantija Temples with quieter stops at Wied Il-Għasri and the Xwejni Salt Pans. Just remember that drivers must be at least 21, hold a full driving licence, and accept an insurance excess of up to €450.

Key points to know before booking

• A real self-drive outing: You drive a modern automatic UTV with forward-facing seats for one driver and up to five passengers.
• A broad Gozo route: The day takes in Dwejra, Ggantija, Ta’ Pinu, Xlendi, the Cittadella, Marsalforn, salt pans, and Wied Il-Għasri.
• Boat time is built in: A Yippee-reserved boat carries you between Malta, Gozo, and Comino, with sea caves and Blue Lagoon views on the return.
• Lunch is simple and local: Expect Maltese nibbles, vegetarian baked pasta, water, and a Maltese dessert.
• Weather changes the plan: Rough seas can mean using the communal Gozo Channel ferry, while the summer swim stop depends on conditions.
• Best for active groups: Families and friends get more from this than anyone seeking a quiet, slow-paced sightseeing day.

Why this Gozo tour feels different

Many Gozo day trips keep you in a coach or minibus. This one gives you a seat behind the wheel. The UTVs are fully automatic, and the forward-facing layout makes them more practical for families than a traditional quad bike.

You travel in a convoy behind a lead driver. That matters because the appeal is not simply driving fast. It is reaching rougher tracks, remote bays, sandy stretches, valleys, and viewpoints without having to plan every turn yourself. The guide sets the pace and route, while you get the fun of operating the vehicle.

The UTV seats one driver and up to five passengers. That makes the listed price of $165 per person more appealing for a group that wants to share one vehicle, though the exact seating arrangement depends on your party. If you are booking as a couple, you may prefer sharing the driving and sitting forward. If you are a larger family, the six-seat arrangement keeps everyone together.

This is still a guided day, not an independent rental. You cannot simply wander off for an hour whenever you wish. The convoy format gives you structure, safety, and access, but it also means the sightseeing schedule moves on even when you want longer at a particular place.

Pickup from Malta and the crossing to Gozo

Pickup is offered from a large number of hotels and meeting points across Malta and Gozo. You provide your accommodation details and mobile number, ideally WhatsApp, then Yippee sends the exact meeting point and time after booking.

Be at the pickup point five minutes early. Malta traffic can cause delays, and the vehicle should be carrying a Yippee sign. Because the seven-hour duration excludes transfer time, your full day will be longer than seven hours, especially if you are picked up in a distant part of Malta.

The crossing to Gozo is planned on a boat reserved for Yippee customers, weather permitting. That is a useful benefit. A private booking arrangement can feel simpler than joining a large public sailing, and the crossing begins the day with sea views rather than another road transfer.

Sea conditions remain the important qualifier. If the water is rough, the crossing and return use the Gozo Channel communal ferry instead, with the ticket provided. Do not choose this tour if your whole plan depends on a private boat in both directions.

Dwejra Bay and the first big views

Dwejra Bay is one of Gozo’s strongest scenic stops. You get a guided visit, a photo break, and time to look across the rocky coast. The area is especially well suited to this kind of tour because the route combines a famous viewpoint with the possibility of rougher driving nearby.

The Dwejra section also includes the Inland Sea area. The setting gives you a sense of Gozo’s low, rugged coast, with rock, open water, and broad views rather than a polished resort atmosphere.

Plan to use your time carefully. Dwejra is listed as a break and sightseeing stop within a packed day, not a long beach visit. If you want extensive walking around the coast, this schedule may feel quick.

Ancient Ggantija and Gozo’s older side

The Ggantija Temples add a completely different note to the day. These megalithic remains are among Gozo’s major archaeological sights, and their inclusion keeps the outing from becoming only a driving and beach trip.

You are scheduled for sightseeing and an entrance visit. That gives you a chance to step away from the UTV and see one of Gozo’s most important early monuments. The stop is valuable for anyone who wants some culture alongside the outdoor activity.

The tradeoff is time. A route with this many points of interest cannot offer a long archaeological visit. If Ggantija is your main reason for visiting Gozo, you may want a separate visit with more time. Here, it is one part of a fast-moving circuit.

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

At the Xwejni Salt Pans, you get about 30 minutes for sightseeing. The pans give you a glimpse of Gozo’s traditional coastal working life, with flat salt-making areas set against the sea. This is a calmer stop than the UTV sections and a good place for photographs.

Wied Il-Għasri also receives about 30 minutes. This narrow coastal inlet is one of the more distinctive places on the route. Its enclosed shape feels very different from the open views at Dwejra, and the stop shows why a smaller off-road vehicle is useful for reaching parts of Gozo that are awkward to combine with a large coach.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu gets roughly 15 minutes. The church is an important landmark, but the schedule is short. You should expect a brief look and photographs rather than a long interior visit or a detailed religious tour.

The route also includes Ta’ Cenc Cliffs in the advertised sightseeing mix, though the timing for this point is not specified. You may get a viewpoint visit rather than an extended walk. Wear shoes you can use comfortably on uneven ground, especially if you want to make the most of any short stop outside the vehicle.

Xlendi Bay, Marsalforn, and Gozo’s towns

Xlendi Bay is listed as a short five-minute sightseeing stop. That is enough for a quick view or photograph, but not enough for a proper walk along the bay. If Xlendi is high on your list, keep your expectations modest.

Marsalforn Bay receives about ten minutes. This is another quick coastal pause, useful for seeing one of Gozo’s better-known seaside areas without building the day around a long swim or meal there.

The Cittadella in Victoria gets about 30 minutes. Its elevated position gives you a different kind of view, looking over Gozo’s inland center rather than directly across the sea. Half an hour lets you get your bearings and see the main feel of the fortified site, but you will not cover every corner at a leisurely pace.

Several itinerary entries do not identify a specific attraction or give a full description. That makes the exact order and some stop details subject to change. The provider also notes that points of interest can differ in summer, partly because the swimming stop takes priority.

The lunch break and what you actually eat

Lunch is included, but this is a light traditional meal rather than a grand restaurant experience. The stated food is Maltese nibbles, vegetarian baked pasta, water, and a Maltese dessert.

That menu should work for many people, but you need to report allergies or dietary needs before the tour day. If you expect meat-heavy Maltese specialties, set your expectations accordingly. The baked pasta and dessert make the meal practical for a busy day, while the simple format keeps the group moving.

The food is one reason the $165 price is easier to justify. You are not paying only for a vehicle. The rate also covers transfers, the Gozo crossing arrangement, the return boat plan, a multilingual leader, lunch, and a full sightseeing circuit. Still, the value depends on your priorities. Someone who wants independent driving and a boat outing in one day will likely see good value. Someone who prefers long visits at two or three sites may find the schedule too spread out.

Taking the wheel of the automatic UTV

The driving is the heart of the experience. The vehicles are modern, automatic, and designed with forward-facing seats. You drive as part of a guided convoy, following the lead vehicle along customized routes.

The appeal is not technical motorsport. It is the combination of control and scenery. You can enjoy the feeling of handling the vehicle while still having a guide point the way. A group of friends can rotate drivers, and families can keep children in the same vehicle rather than splitting into separate quad bikes.

Drivers must be 21 or older and fully qualified. A provisional licence is not accepted. You need to bring your driving licence or a picture of it, and you should take the insurance terms seriously: the first €450 of any claim is excluded from the cover and must be paid by the driver or hirer if an accident occurs.

That excess is the tour’s biggest practical concern. You should drive within your comfort level, leave space in the convoy, and avoid treating the UTV like a racing machine. The activity is described as adrenaline-charged, but the value lies in controlled access to Gozo, not in speed.

Comino, sea caves, and the Blue Lagoon

The return boat includes stops around Comino and the Blue Lagoon, with about 20 minutes listed for each boat-cruise segment. The boat is reserved for Yippee customers when conditions allow, and the route can pass Comino’s sea caves.

This part gives the day a strong finish. After hours on land, you get a change of pace and a look at Malta’s famous water and rock formations from sea level. In summer, a swim stop is included if weather permits, so pack beachwear even if swimming is not your main goal.

The Blue Lagoon portion is a boat cruise rather than a promise of extended time ashore. That distinction matters. You may see the lagoon and its surroundings from the water, but this itinerary does not describe a long beach stay or a guaranteed period for swimming.

If the sea turns rough, the return crossing changes to the communal ferry. That can remove the cave-sailing portion, but it is a sensible safety adjustment. Weather also affects the summer swim stop, so bring sunscreen and beachwear without assuming you will certainly enter the water.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to cover a lot of Gozo in one day and enjoy being active between sightseeing stops. It suits friends, couples who are happy to share driving, and families who want a vehicle with forward-facing seats and room for up to five passengers.

It also works well if you are staying in Malta and do not want to arrange separate transport, ferry tickets, a UTV rental, lunch, and a boat trip. The pickup network removes much of the planning work.

You may want another type of excursion if you dislike convoy travel, have no eligible driver, or want long, quiet visits at churches, archaeological sites, and towns. The short stop at Xlendi and the brief time at Marsalforn show the pace clearly.

The activity is wheelchair accessible for a foldable wheelchair, and a small lightweight pushchair can be accommodated with advance advice. Child car seats are available on request. Pregnant women should not take part. The tour is listed as a private group, which can make the day feel more personal, although you still follow the provider’s organized route and timing.

Is the $165 price fair?

At $165 per person, this is not a budget ferry-and-bus day. But it bundles several costs and activities that would be awkward to organize separately: hotel or nearby pickup, transport, the Gozo crossing, UTV use, a guide, lunch, return transport, and the Comino and Blue Lagoon boat plan.

The price makes the most sense when you will use the self-drive element. If you plan to sit in the vehicle without driving, compare it with a regular guided Gozo trip, which may cost less and give longer sightseeing stops.

The strongest value comes from variety. In one day, you get coast, cliffs, temples, villages and bays, off-road tracks, lunch, and a sea crossing. The compromise is depth. You see many places, but only a few receive enough time for a full visit.

Should you book this Gozo UTV day?

Book it if you want an energetic, full-day sampler of Gozo with the added thrill of driving. The combination of UTV routes, Dwejra, Ggantija, Ta’ Pinu, the Cittadella, a light Gozitan meal, and a Comino boat ride is unusually broad.

Before paying, confirm that your driver is at least 21 with a full licence, that everyone accepts the €450 insurance excess, and that you are comfortable with a schedule that keeps moving. Bring sunscreen, comfortable clothes, your licence, and beachwear in summer.

If the booking date has uncertain weather, treat the private sailing and swim as welcome extras rather than guarantees. With that understanding, this is a strong choice for active families and friends who want Gozo’s highlights without spending the day behind a coach window.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts seven hours, excluding transfer time to and from the pickup point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a multilingual leader, an automatic UTV, pickup and return transport, a light traditional Gozitan lunch, the Gozo crossing arrangement, and the return boat plan when weather allows.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $165 per person.

How many people can sit in one UTV?

Each UTV seats one driver and up to five passengers in forward-facing seats.

What age must the driver be?

Drivers must be at least 21 years old.

What driving licence is required?

You need a valid full driving licence. Provisional licences are not accepted.

Is insurance included?

Insurance cover is provided, but the first €450 of any claim is excluded. The driver or hirer must pay that amount in the event of an accident.

Is lunch included?

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

Is swimming included?

A summer swim stop is included when weather and sea conditions permit. Bring beachwear, sunscreen, and your own towel.

What happens if the sea is rough?

If sea conditions are severe, the crossing and return use the communal Gozo Channel ferry, and tickets are provided. The private boat route past Comino’s caves may therefore change.