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

Gozo is at its best when you leave the main roads. This full-day trip puts you behind the wheel of a two-seat buggy, following a guide through narrow country lanes, rough tracks, coastal viewpoints, and several of the island’s most striking sights. You also get a boat ride around Comino’s caves and a summer swim stop.

I like the off-road access, which lets you reach places a standard sightseeing bus cannot. I also like the mix of driving, Maltese food, and sea time, rather than spending the whole day on one vehicle. The main catch is the insurance excess: you are responsible for the first €450 of a claim, so read the terms carefully before driving.

The fleet was launched new in August 2024, and the automatic buggies are simple to operate. Guides including Wissar, Ouissem, and Yannick have drawn particular praise for keeping the convoy organized and explaining the route clearly. Still, this is an active day, not a relaxed island circuit.

Key points to know before booking

• Gozo by two-seat buggy: Each automatic buggy carries one driver and one passenger, making it a good fit for couples, friends, and small family groups.
• Four notable Gozo stops: The route includes the Inland Sea, Wied il-Ghasri, Qbajjar Salt Pans, and Ta’ Cenc Cliffs, with both paved and off-road sections.
• Comino by boat: The return crossing includes views of Comino’s caves and a swim stop in one of the island’s lagoons during the summer season.
• Picnic included: You get time to eat Maltese dishes and rest during an extended stop rather than rushing from one viewpoint to the next.
• Experienced convoy leaders: The guide leads from the front, with instruction and a safety briefing before you set out.
• Drivers need the right license: You must be at least 21 and hold an original, valid driving license. Provisional and learner licenses are not accepted.

Why this Gozo tour feels different from a bus trip

Gozo is close to Malta, but its quieter lanes and rough coastal tracks give it a different character. A bus can show you the major sights, but it cannot take you along every narrow route or pause easily at less obvious viewpoints. The buggy gives you a more direct connection to the island, with the smell of the countryside, the sound of the engine, and the pleasure of choosing your own pace within the convoy.

You are not driving alone. A local leader sets the route and keeps the group together, so you can focus on the road and the scenery. That arrangement suits first-time visitors who want a little freedom without having to plan a full off-road route themselves.

The experience is also private in the sense that your booking is for a private group, but the day still operates as a guided convoy. Do not expect a completely independent rental. You follow the leader, stop with the group, and remain part of a larger operation during the transfers and boat crossing.

Starting in Malta and crossing to Gozo

Pickup is arranged from your hotel or the closest practical point. You need to provide a mobile number, preferably one that uses WhatsApp, along with your accommodation details. The pickup instructions and meeting point are sent after confirmation, and you should be waiting five minutes early for a vehicle marked with a Yippee sign.

The transport brings you to the Gozo crossing. When conditions allow, the group uses a Yippee boat, which makes the transfer part of the outing rather than a plain ferry ride. If weather prevents the boat crossing or the Comino boating section later in the day, ferry tickets are provided instead.

Cruise passengers have a specific arrangement: pickup is outside Magazino Hall at 8:00 a.m., with a return expected at about 6:00 p.m. If you are staying elsewhere in Malta or on Gozo, the exact timing depends on your pickup point.

One listing detail describes the duration as 24 days, which is clearly inconsistent with the advertised full-day format and the stated cruise schedule. Treat this as a day-long tour, and confirm your precise pickup and return times before booking.

Getting started with the new automatic buggies

After reaching Gozo, you are taken to the vehicles and given an operational safety briefing. The guide explains the controls, convoy rules, and insurance conditions before anyone sets off. That briefing matters, especially if you have never driven a buggy.

The vehicles are automatic, have seatbelts, and carry one driver plus one passenger. Helmets and hairnets are provided, as are raincoats when needed. Fuel is included, so you do not have to budget for a refill during the route.

The buggies are third-party insured, but the first €450 of any claim is your responsibility. That is the most important financial detail in the booking. Drive within your comfort level, follow the guide, and inspect the vehicle before departure. The terms also say that pictures and copies of licenses may be accepted along with a form of identification, but the safest choice is to carry your original valid license.

You must be at least 21 to drive. Learner and provisional licenses are not accepted. If you are under 21, you may be able to ride as a passenger, but the supplied information only confirms the age rule for drivers, so check before paying.

Driving through Gozo’s coastal and country routes

The fun begins once the convoy leaves the main roads. The route uses both paved and off-road sections, giving you a changing view of Gozo. Some parts take you through open countryside, while others bring you closer to the island’s hard-edged coast.

This is where the buggy earns its place. Narrow roads and rougher tracks open up areas that are awkward for a large vehicle. You can expect dust, bumps, and exposure to the weather, so closed-toe shoes and sunglasses are sensible. A towel and swimwear are useful later, even if the day begins under cooler conditions.

The guide leads the group from stop to stop. The strongest part of the guiding service is the combination of navigation and local explanation. Wissar has been singled out for giving clear information about the places along the route, while Ouissem has also received warm praise for his work as a guide. Yannick is a useful name to know for French-speaking groups, as he has led the route in French.

You should not expect a high-speed race. The convoy format keeps the activity controlled, and the point is to see Gozo from unusual angles rather than test the top speed of the vehicle. The roads can be uneven, and the driver needs to stay alert.

The Inland Sea and the Dwejra area

The Inland Sea is one of Gozo’s most memorable coastal sights. It is a sheltered body of water linked to the open sea by a narrow rock tunnel. The setting gives you a close look at Gozo’s limestone coast, with high rock walls and a strong sense of the island’s rough geology.

The tour includes the Inland Sea area, but a separate boat trip through the tunnel is optional and not included in the price. That distinction is easy to miss. If you want the extra boat ride, plan on paying separately and allow for the fact that it may depend on local conditions.

This stop is valuable even without the optional boat. The buggy route gets you to the area efficiently, and the guide can help you understand what you are looking at. Keep your camera ready, but remember that the best photo may require walking a short distance from the vehicle.

Wied il-Ghasri and the Qbajjar Salt Pans

Wied il-Ghasri is a narrow sea inlet cut into the rock. Its steep sides make it feel tucked away, and the setting shows how water has shaped Gozo’s coast over time. It is one of the places where the off-road format makes sense, since the route can bring you close to a view that is less convenient for large tour vehicles.

The Qbajjar Salt Pans offer a completely different scene. Here, shallow stone basins spread across the coast in a geometric pattern. Salt has been collected in these pans for generations, and the simple shapes contrast with the open sea and pale rock.

Together, these two stops give the day variety. Wied il-Ghasri is narrow and dramatic, while Qbajjar feels broad, orderly, and exposed. You are not simply repeating the same coastal view all day.

Ta’ Cenc Cliffs and Gozo’s open views

Ta’ Cenc Cliffs provide one of the day’s bigger viewpoints. The high coastal edge looks across open water and gives you a sense of Gozo’s scale. This is the kind of stop where it pays to put the helmet down, take a breath, and look beyond the buggy track.

The cliffs are also a reminder that this is an outdoor activity. Stay with the guide and use care near exposed edges. The supplied information does not give a detailed walking plan at each stop, so the amount of time on foot may vary with the group and the day’s schedule.

By visiting Ta’ Cenc after the narrower inlets and salt pans, the route builds a useful range of scenery. You get cliffs, rock channels, coastal working areas, and green country tracks, all within one day.

Lunch, a pause from the engines

An extended stop includes a picnic with Maltese dishes. This is more than a quick snack between vehicles. You get time to eat, rest, and recharge before continuing the route.

The exact menu is not specified, but the meal is described as an array of Maltese food. For many people, this will be a welcome way to try local flavors without arranging another restaurant stop. If you have strict dietary needs, ask ahead, since no special menu information is provided.

The picnic also helps the day’s rhythm. A buggy tour can become tiring if every pause is only long enough for a photo. Here, the longer break gives you time to cool down and enjoy the setting. Bring water if you prefer to carry your own supply, as the included information only confirms the picnic.

Returning by boat around Comino

The return to Malta adds a second type of adventure. Instead of simply retracing the crossing, the Yippee boat passes Comino’s caves and follows the island’s striking shoreline. This is a good contrast to the land-based morning, since you see the coast from water level.

The Comino portion depends on weather. When conditions are suitable, the boat makes a swim stop at one of Comino’s lagoons during the summer season. Blue Lagoon is the headline sight, but the boat may also pass other coves and lagoons around the island.

Bring swimwear and a towel even if swimming is not your main reason for booking. The stop is a chance to cool off after driving, though you should not assume the swim will happen in poor weather or outside the summer setup.

The boat used for this section is reserved for Yippee clients, according to the supplied details. That means the group can stay together instead of being scattered across different public boats. If weather cancels the Comino portion, ferry tickets are provided, but the caves and swim stop will not be replaced by another activity.

Price, group size, and what you are really paying for

The displayed price is $135 per group up to one, which is an unusual way to show the cost. Confirm the final amount and passenger arrangements before booking, especially if two people plan to share one buggy or if you are booking more than one vehicle.

Value depends on how much of the day you would arrange separately. The package includes pickup and return, the Gozo crossing, a buggy for the day, a guide, fuel, safety equipment, a picnic, and the return boat with sightseeing and a summer swim stop when conditions permit. Purchased separately, those elements would take time and planning.

I think the price makes the most sense for you if you want transport, sightseeing, and activity in one package. It is less compelling if you only want a quiet look at Gozo, since the buggy, off-road sections, convoy, and full-day schedule are central to the experience.

Also allow for the optional Inland Sea boat ride and the insurance excess. Gratitude for the guide is not included, and tips are optional.

Who should book, and who should skip it

This tour suits active couples, friends, and families who can share a two-seat buggy and enjoy a full day outdoors. It is especially useful if you want to see Gozo without hiring a car or arranging several separate transfers.

You should be comfortable with bumps, dust, sun, and changing weather. Pregnant women should not take this tour. Anyone with mobility or medical concerns should ask the operator for a suitability check, since the route includes off-road driving and the supplied information does not provide detailed accessibility notes.

French, Arabic, and English guiding is available. If language matters to you, request your preferred language when booking, but remember that guide assignment can depend on the day.

Final verdict: book it for access, not for a quiet day

I would book this Gozo and Comino tour if you want an active introduction to the islands and like the idea of reaching coastal places by buggy. The strongest reasons are the varied route, the highly praised guide service, the included Maltese picnic, and the boat ride past Comino’s caves.

I would choose another outing if you want a slow beach day, a private sightseeing car, or complete control over the schedule. Read the insurance terms, confirm the price shown for your party, and make sure your license meets the rules. For the right driver, this is a lively and practical way to combine Gozo’s back roads with Comino’s sea views.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

It is presented as a full-day activity. Cruise passengers are scheduled for pickup at about 8:00 a.m. and return at approximately 6:00 p.m. The listing also contains an incorrect duration of 24 days, so confirm the exact timing before booking.

What license do I need to drive?

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

Can two people share one buggy?

Yes. The automatic buggies have space for one driver and one passenger.

Is the buggy automatic?

Yes. The buggies are automatic and fitted with seatbelts. A safety and operating briefing takes place before the convoy leaves.

Is the boat trip to Comino guaranteed?

No. The Comino boat section depends on weather. If it cannot operate, ferry tickets are provided instead.

Is swimming included?

A swim stop at one of Comino’s lagoons is included during the summer season, subject to weather conditions. Bring swimwear and a towel.

What is included in the insurance?

The buggies are third-party insured, but the first €450 of any claim is the responsibility of the driver or hirer.