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

Gozo rewards the curious and the willing. This full-day outing gives you a lively way to see the island, mixing a self-drive buggy route with coastal views, country tracks, a Maltese picnic, and a boat ride around Comino. I especially like the chance to reach places that a standard coach cannot manage, and the return boat adds a second strong sightseeing section rather than simply ferrying you home.

I also like the careful transport plan, with hotel or nearby pickup, a Yippee boat or ferry crossing, and convoy leaders who keep the group together. The main caution is financial: buggy insurance excludes the first €450 of any claim, which you must pay if an accident occurs. You also need to be at least 21 with a full driving license, and the Comino section depends on weather.

Five things to know before booking

• Gozo is explored by automatic two-seat buggy: Each vehicle carries one driver and one passenger, with seatbelts and helmets supplied.
• The route reaches hard-to-access scenery: Expect off-road and narrow country routes near the Inland Sea, Wied il-Għasri, Qbajjar Salt Pans, and Ta’ Cenc Cliffs.
• The return boat is part of the experience: You sail past Comino’s caves, visit the Blue Lagoon area, and normally stop for a summer swim.
• A Maltese picnic is included: The extended food stop gives you time to eat and recharge instead of rushing from one sight to the next.
• The fleet was launched in August 2024: That means the buggies are relatively new, though mechanical problems can still happen.
• Weather can change the final leg: If the Comino boat trip cannot operate, ferry tickets are supplied instead.

Why a buggy is a smart way to see Gozo

Gozo is compact, but its best-known sights do not all sit along a simple sightseeing road. A coach can take you to major stops, yet it cannot offer the same access to rougher tracks, narrow lanes, and less obvious corners of the island.

Here, you follow a local lead driver in a small convoy. You are not simply handed a vehicle and pointed toward a map. After a safety and operating briefing, you drive behind the guide, stopping at selected places along the way.

That setup matters. You get the freedom of driving, but you are less likely to lose time trying to find the next stop. The convoy format also gives the day structure, which is useful on an island where a wrong turn can quickly become a long detour.

The buggies are automatic, so you do not need to manage a manual gearbox while watching the route. Each seats one driver and one passenger. If you want to drive, you need to meet the age and license rules. Provisional and learner licenses are not accepted.

The tour is a good match for couples, friends, and families with an adventurous streak. It is less suitable if you dislike dust, open-air driving, convoy travel, or taking responsibility for a vehicle. Pregnant women should not book this activity.

The morning transfer from Malta to Gozo

Pickup is arranged from your hotel or the closest accessible point. When you book, provide your mobile number with the international prefix, ideally a WhatsApp number, along with your accommodation details. The operator then sends the pickup time and meeting point.

You need to be waiting five minutes before the agreed time. Look for transport carrying a Yippee sign. This small detail is worth taking seriously because the day involves several linked movements: pickup, the crossing to Gozo, the buggy meeting point, and the return boat or ferry.

The crossing is normally on a Yippee boat, weather permitting. A ferry ticket is provided when needed. If you are arriving by cruise ship, the stated pickup point is outside Magazino Hall at 8:00 in the morning, with a return at about 6:00 in the evening.

One useful strength of the operation is group coordination. A December excursion had more than 100 people arriving in several minibuses, yet the transport teams kept everyone together through the ferry transfer and the meeting point in Gozo. That does mean the overall operation may feel larger than the phrase private group suggests, even though the buggy activity itself is organized in a convoy.

Driving the new buggies across Gozo

The fleet launched in August 2024, and the vehicles are automatic, fitted with seatbelts, and third-party insured. Helmets, hairnets, raincoats when needed, and fuel are included.

Before you set off, the guide explains the controls, driving procedure, and insurance. Take this briefing seriously. The €450 excess is not a minor footnote. If an accident results in a claim, the first €450 is your responsibility.

You should bring a valid original driving license. The operator also states that pictures and copies of licenses can be accepted along with a form of identification, but the clearest option is to carry the original license if you have it. Provisional and learner permits do not qualify.

The route combines paved sections with off-road riding. You will follow the lead driver rather than choose your own route, which keeps the convoy moving and makes the day easier to manage. At the same time, it limits the independent driving experience. This is guided exploration, not a free-form rental.

The trip is best enjoyed at a sensible pace. You will want to look around, but you also need to watch the vehicle in front and follow instructions. Closed-toe shoes are required, and sunglasses are a good idea in bright weather or on dusty tracks.

The Inland Sea and Dwejra area

The Inland Sea is one of the route’s memorable stops. It is a sheltered body of water connected to the open sea by a rock tunnel, and the setting gives you a clear sense of Gozo’s rugged coast without needing a long walk.

An optional boat trip on the Inland Sea is not included. If you want to add it, budget extra time and money, and ask the guide about the day’s schedule. The buggy tour itself provides the chance to see the area, but the optional boat ride is a separate choice.

This stop also shows why the buggy format works. You are not only visiting a famous viewpoint for a quick photograph. The convoy can reach the wider Dwejra area while giving you a taste of Gozo’s rough coastal terrain.

Wied il-Għasri, salt pans, and Ta’ Cenc

Wied il-Għasri is a narrow coastal valley cut into the island’s limestone. It is a striking place because the land closes in around a slim inlet, creating a sharp contrast between open countryside and the sea.

The Qbajjar Salt Pans offer a different view of Gozo. Shallow pools cut into the coast show how salt has been collected from seawater. The pattern of the pans is easy to appreciate from the route, and the stop adds a working coastal tradition to the day.

At Ta’ Cenc Cliffs, you get broad views from one of Gozo’s higher coastal areas. The cliffs are exposed and dramatic, so hold onto your hat and sunglasses if conditions are breezy. This is a scenic stop rather than a place where you should expect a long, formal walking tour.

The exact order and length of each stop can change with the day’s traffic, weather, and convoy timing. The important point is that the route links several very different sides of Gozo: rock coast, salt production, open cliffs, country roads, and small coastal inlets.

A picnic with Maltese flavors

Lunch is built into the outing as a picnic during an extended stop. The meal includes an array of Maltese dishes, giving you more than the usual packaged snack.

This pause is practical as well as pleasant. Off-road driving takes energy, and a full-day route needs a proper break. You can eat, rest, and recharge without having to search for a restaurant in the middle of the island.

I would still bring water, especially in warm weather, even though the food is included. Pack your swimsuit and towel in a small accessible bag rather than burying them in luggage, since the swim stop comes later and changing space may be limited.

The return boat through Comino’s caves

The journey back is one of the best parts of the plan. Instead of making the return crossing a routine transfer, the Yippee boat sails around Comino’s caves and past the Blue Lagoon.

The operator reserves a boat for its own clients, which helps keep the sightseeing element tied to the tour. You get views from the water that are impossible from the buggy, including the pale limestone walls and sea caves around Comino.

During the summer season, the boat stops at one of Comino’s lagoons for a swim. The Blue Lagoon is famous for its clear, shallow-looking water and striking color, but it can also be a very busy place. The boat stop gives you a chance to get into the water without making the Blue Lagoon your entire day.

Weather controls this part of the schedule. If the Comino boat trip cannot run, ferry tickets are provided. That protects your return to Malta, but it also means the cave sightseeing and swim are not guaranteed. In cooler months, you should not assume a swim stop will be offered.

Guides, languages, and the human side

The activity is available in English, French, and Arabic. The guide drives at the front, explains the places along the way, and helps keep the convoy together.

Named guides praised in the supplied feedback include Wissar, Ouissem, and Yannick. Wissar was singled out for explaining where the group was going and what it was seeing. Ouissem received warm thanks for his work, while Yannick was described as competent and pleasant during a day when vehicle problems forced a change in plan.

That last point is useful. A good guide can make a real difference when the day does not run perfectly. On one occasion, two buggies were unavailable and a jeep was used instead. The guide still made the outing enjoyable, but a promised €100 refund had not arrived at the time of the complaint. If your vehicle changes, get any compensation arrangement in writing and keep your booking details.

The overall score is 4.8 out of 5 from 39 ratings, with particular praise for the guides, timing, transport organization, scenery, and value. The mechanical complaint is a reminder to keep expectations practical: a new fleet reduces the odds of trouble, but it cannot remove them.

Is the $135 price good value?

The advertised price is $135 per group of up to one, so check the live booking screen carefully to confirm exactly how the charge applies to your party and buggy arrangement. The vehicle seats two people, one driver and one passenger, but the displayed pricing wording is unusual enough to verify before paying.

Value is strongest when you plan to use the whole day. You are paying for pickup and return, the Gozo crossing, a self-drive buggy, a guide, fuel, safety gear, a picnic, and the return boat sightseeing. You also get access to several parts of Gozo in one outing without arranging separate transport.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a short drive or a simple trip to the Blue Lagoon. In that case, a basic ferry or boat outing may suit you better. This tour earns its cost through the combination of off-road driving and the Comino return.

Remember the possible €450 insurance excess. That is the key financial risk, and it should be part of your decision, not an afterthought.

What to bring and what to expect

Pack a valid driving license, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and closed-toe shoes. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Wear clothes you can move in and do not mind exposing to dust or spray. The operator supplies raincoats when required, but you should still prepare for changeable conditions because the Comino segment depends on the weather.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity information incorrectly displays a duration of 24 days, but every operational detail describes a full-day outing, including the approximate 8:00 to 18:00 cruise pickup schedule. Confirm the departure time when you book.

Who should book this Gozo adventure?

Book it if you want active sightseeing, enjoy driving, and prefer seeing Gozo’s coast and countryside in one well-organized day. It is particularly good for a pair who can share a buggy and for families whose children are old enough to ride safely as passengers.

Think twice if you want a quiet cultural tour, dislike convoy driving, or need a fully predictable schedule. You also need to accept the insurance excess, possible vehicle substitutions, and the chance that weather will replace the Comino boat with a standard ferry.

For the right kind of day, this is a strong value: Gozo by land, Comino by sea, a proper meal break, and guides who help the whole operation stay on track.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

It is described as a full-day tour. Cruise ship pickup is listed at 8:00 in the morning, with return at approximately 18:00.

What does the $135 price include?

The listed price is $135 per group up to one. Confirm the exact pricing arrangement when booking, since each buggy seats one driver and one passenger.

How many people can ride in one buggy?

Each automatic buggy seats one driver and one passenger.

What age must the driver be?

Drivers must be at least 21 years old.

Is a provisional or learner license accepted?

No. Provisional and learner driving licenses are not accepted.

What driving documents should I bring?

Bring a valid driving license. The operator also states that pictures and copies may be accepted with a form of identification, but carrying the original license is the safest choice.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic with 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 the Comino section depends on weather conditions.

What happens if the Comino boat trip cannot operate?

Ferry tickets are provided if the Comino boat portion cannot run because of weather.

What equipment is provided?

Helmets, hairnets, raincoats when required, and fuel are provided. You should bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and closed-toe shoes.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. Pregnant women are listed as unsuitable for this activity.