Gozo: All Inclusive 4×4 Chauffeured JEEP day safari

Gozo rewards the curious and the slightly muddy. This seven-hour chauffeured UTV safari packs cliffs, bays, valleys, a Gozitan lunch, and a boat ride around Comino into one active day. I like the forward-facing vehicles, which suit families and groups, and I like the private Yippee boat connection to Comino. The catch is that this is not a self-drive quad excursion. You ride with a chauffeur, and transfer times from Malta are extra.

The route covers many of Gozo’s best-known coastal sights without making you arrange buses, ferries, and taxis. Drivers Emilio, Steven Caruana, and Stefan have earned especially warm praise for courtesy, punctuality, and service. Still, the day moves quickly, and the Blue Lagoon swim stop depends on the season and weather.

Key things to know before booking

• Forward-facing UTV seating: Each modern vehicle carries five customers facing forward, a useful setup for families and anyone who dislikes straddling a quad bike.
• A broad Gozo route: The day includes Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs, Xlendi, Dwejra, Wied il-Għasri, Xwejni Bay, and Marsalforn.
• Private boat access to Comino: Yippee reserves a boat for its own customers, with views of the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and a Comino cave.
• Lunch is included: Expect a light traditional Gozitan meal, not a long restaurant sitting.
• Summer swimming stop: You get about 30 minutes at the Blue Lagoon for a swim when conditions and the season allow.
• Several costs remain extra: The Dwejra Inland Sea boat trip, personal spending, and the Ġgantija temple fee are not included.

Why this Gozo safari works well

Gozo is compact, but seeing it well without your own vehicle can be awkward. Public buses serve the main towns, yet the most scenic stops are spread across the island. This tour solves that problem with hotel or meeting-point pickup, a chauffeur, ferry connections, and a return transfer.

The UTVs are the main selling point. The vehicles launched with a new fleet in August 2024 and have large wheels suited to rougher routes. You are not handed the keys. Instead, a multilingual chauffeur drives while you look around, take photographs, and enjoy the ride without worrying about directions.

That distinction matters. If you want to control the vehicle and kick up dust yourself, book a self-drive quad or buggy outing instead. If you want the feeling of an off-road outing without driving, this setup is more comfortable and less demanding.

Each vehicle seats five people in forward-facing seats. That makes it a practical choice for families, work groups, or friends who want to stay together. It also means the experience is more social than a solo quad ride. You should expect shared transport rather than a private vehicle for just you and your party.

The overall rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 12 ratings. The clearest praise concerns the staff. Emilio, Steven Caruana, and Stefan are singled out for being friendly, punctual, and helpful. That is important on a long day involving several transfers and a boat crossing.

Pickup from Malta and the crossing to Gozo

Pickup is offered from hotels and designated points across Malta and Gozo. The list is unusually broad, covering places near Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian’s, Mellieħa, Qawra, Marsaskala, and other areas. You receive the exact meeting instructions by WhatsApp or email, and the transport holds a Yippee sign.

Arrive five minutes early. Malta traffic can cause delays, so do not judge the service too quickly if the vehicle is not precisely on time. The seven-hour tour clock excludes transfer time, which means the total day can be longer depending on where you stay.

The crossing to Gozo is made by Yippee’s boat when weather permits. Ferry tickets are included whenever they are needed, and the return boat to Malta is also reserved for Yippee customers. This private arrangement is a real convenience. You avoid piecing together separate ferry and tour connections.

Still, boat travel depends on conditions. If the sea is rough or the weather changes, the water portion can be adjusted. Bring a light layer and protect your phone and camera around the boat.

Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs and the first Gozo views

Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs is scheduled as a 30-minute sightseeing stop. These cliffs give you one of Gozo’s most open coastal views, with a strong sense of height and exposure. The stop is best used for photographs and a short walk rather than a long coastal hike.

Thirty minutes is enough to see the viewpoint and take pictures, but not enough for extended exploring. Wear shoes with a firm sole, especially if the ground is uneven. Comfortable clothing also helps, since this day alternates between vehicle rides, short stops, and time near the water.

The vehicle then continues toward Xlendi for a 30-minute scenic drive. Xlendi is one of Gozo’s familiar coastal settings, and the drive gives you a change from cliff-top scenery to a more enclosed bay area. You may find this portion less about a single major sight and more about watching the island pass from the UTV.

Knight’s Wash House and Dwejra Inland Sea

Knight’s Wash House receives about 20 minutes. It is a short stop, but it adds a more local, everyday note to a route otherwise filled with dramatic coastal views. The brief timing means you should stay aware of the group and return promptly to the vehicle.

Dwejra Inland Sea follows with roughly 30 minutes of sightseeing. This is one of Gozo’s most striking coastal areas, shaped by rock, water, and a narrow opening toward the sea. It is an excellent place for photographs, especially if you enjoy unusual geological forms.

The optional Dwejra Inland Sea boat trip costs extra. That is worth noting before you arrive, since the main tour already includes a separate boat outing around Comino. You can enjoy Dwejra from land without paying more, then decide if the extra boat ride fits your budget and schedule.

Ta’ Pinu Basilica is also listed among the sights for photographs, although it does not appear as a separate timed stop in the schedule. You may see it during the driving portion or as part of the route between stops. Do not expect a long interior visit unless the guide specifically confirms one.

Wied il-Għasri, Xwejni Bay, and Marsalforn

Wied il-Għasri receives 30 minutes. This narrow coastal inlet is one of Gozo’s more distinctive natural settings, with steep rock walls and a confined strip of water. It rewards a short visit, but the terrain can call for careful footing.

The route continues to Xwejni Bay Beach for another 30-minute stop. Here, the pace shifts again. You get time near the shoreline and a chance to photograph the coast without the pressure of a full beach day. If the weather is warm, sunscreen and a hat are essential because several sightseeing stops are outdoors.

Marsalforn Bay is another scheduled stop, followed later by a short 10-minute sightseeing visit in Marsalforn. The repeated appearance of Marsalforn suggests it serves as both a scenic coastal point and part of the meal or route logistics. The schedule does not give a detailed restaurant description, so treat lunch as a simple included break rather than a formal culinary event.

The meal is described as a light traditional Gozitan lunch. That is valuable on an active day, but you may still want snacks. The recommended packing list includes snacks and water, which tells you not to rely on lunch as your only food or drink.

Comino by reserved boat

The Comino section is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. A boat reserved for Yippee customers carries you around Comino and passes the island’s caves. The route includes views of the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, plus one cave.

This adds a proper water element to a day otherwise spent on roads and trails. You see the coast from a different angle, and the boat ride can make the day feel more varied. It also saves you from arranging an additional Comino excursion.

The Comino sightseeing portion is listed at about 40 minutes, with a separate 30-minute swimming stop at the Blue Lagoon. In summer, you can swim in one of Comino’s lagoons. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof pouch for small valuables.

Do not assume a long, quiet beach stay. Thirty minutes passes quickly, and the Blue Lagoon is a major attraction. The point here is a refreshing swim and a quick look, not several hours beside the water. Swimming is also weather dependent. If the conditions are unsuitable, the boat portion or swim plan may change.

Timing, comfort, and the real value of $96

At $96 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Gozo. You are paying for much more than a vehicle ride, though. The price includes pickup and return transport, the Gozo crossing arrangements, a chauffeured UTV, a light lunch, and the reserved boat connection to Comino.

Buying each part separately could become a nuisance. You would need to coordinate transport from Malta, ferry tickets, a Gozo sightseeing vehicle, food, and a boat around Comino. The tour’s value is strongest if you want an active full-day route and would otherwise need taxis or a private driver.

The value is weaker if you already have a rental car, want long stops at one or two places, or prefer a slow beach day. The itinerary covers many locations, but most stops last only 20 or 30 minutes. You get breadth, not deep exploration.

The UTV also adds comfort compared with an open quad. Five people sit facing forward, and the vehicle is described as cool, comfortable, and suited to different ground conditions. That makes it easier to chat and take in the views. The tradeoff is that the ride may feel less thrilling to someone expecting to drive.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, according to the activity information. You should still confirm the exact pickup and vehicle arrangement before booking, especially if you need a particular type of boarding assistance.

What to pack for this particular day

Pack light, but pack for several types of weather and activity. You will need:

• Comfortable shoes for cliffs and uneven ground
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen
• Water and snacks
• Comfortable clothes
• A camera or phone

Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and drinks are not allowed inside it. Keep water for stops and follow the chauffeur’s instructions about where it can be carried.

The sun can feel strong during open coastal stops, even when the boat ride creates a breeze. A hat and sunscreen are not decorative extras here. They make the difference between enjoying the afternoon and spending it looking for shade.

Who should book this Gozo day safari?

I would recommend it to families who want adventure without asking anyone to drive, friends who like a packed sightseeing day, and visitors staying in Malta who want transport handled from start to finish. The five-seat forward-facing UTVs are especially useful for groups who want to sit together.

It also suits people who want a sample of Gozo rather than a long stay in one town. You see cliffs, bays, inland rock formations, a basilica, beaches, and Comino in one outing.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone seeking quiet, slow travel. The day has many stops and several transfers. You should also think twice if your main goal is the Blue Lagoon, since the swim stop is only about 30 minutes and is offered in summer when conditions allow.

The experience is best for active sightseeing, not a luxurious jeep tour. The vehicle is chauffeured, the lunch is light, and the schedule is full. That direct style is part of its appeal.

Should you book the Yippee UTV safari?

Book this tour if you want Gozo’s major scenic points in one organized day, plus a Comino boat ride and a possible Blue Lagoon swim. The included transport, lunch, ferry arrangements, and reserved boat make $96 a fair price for a visitor without a car.

Skip it if you want to drive yourself, linger at Dwejra or Xlendi, or spend most of the day swimming. Before booking, confirm your pickup point, remember that transfer time is extra, and budget for the Dwejra boat trip if you want it. Also ask about the Ġgantija temple fee, which is not included.

For the right person, this is a lively and practical way to cover a lot of Gozo without turning the day into a transport puzzle.

FAQ

How long does the Gozo UTV safari last?

The tour lasts seven hours, not including transfer time to and from your pickup point.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return are included from your Malta or Gozo hotel, or from the closest accessible pickup point. Exact instructions arrive by WhatsApp or email.

Is the vehicle self-drive?

No. The UTV is chauffeured by a multilingual driver. Each vehicle has forward-facing seats for five customers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The price includes a light traditional Gozitan lunch.

Does the tour include a boat trip to Comino?

Yes. A boat reserved for Yippee customers visits the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and one Comino cave, weather permitting.

Can I swim at the Blue Lagoon?

In summer, the itinerary includes a swimming stop of about 30 minutes at one of Comino’s lagoons. Swimming remains subject to weather and sea conditions.

Are extra costs involved?

The Dwejra Inland Sea boat trip is not included. Personal expenses and the Ġgantija temple fee are also excluded.