GOZO All Inclusive Self Drive Jeep day tour wt Blue Lagoon

Gozo rewards the curious and confident. This seven-hour Yippee Malta tour gives you the unusual freedom to drive a modern UTV through Gozo’s country lanes, valleys, coastal tracks, and remote bays, while a local lead driver keeps the convoy moving. I especially like the mix of self-drive adventure and guided sightseeing, plus the private boat crossing to Comino and the Blue Lagoon when sea conditions allow. The main catch is simple: the day covers a lot of ground, so several stops are brief, and drivers must accept a €450 insurance excess.

I also like that the price includes transport from Malta or Gozo, the Gozo crossing, a light Gozitan lunch, the return boat, and a multilingual guide. That makes the $165 cost easier to justify than a basic vehicle rental. If you want quiet museum time, long swims, or a slow village lunch, this is probably too active and tightly timed.

Key points before you book

• Drive a six-seat automatic UTV: Each vehicle has one driver and five forward-facing passenger seats, making it practical for families and small groups.
• See Gozo’s western and northern coast: Dwejra Bay, Wied il-Għasri, Xwejni Salt Pans, Marsalforn, and Xlendi all feature in the day.
• Mix paved roads with off-road tracks: The route includes sandy areas, valleys, remote bays, and wide coastal views.
• Lunch and boat transport are included: You get Maltese nibbles, vegetarian baked pasta, water, and dessert, along with reserved boat crossings.
• Summer adds a swim stop: Bring beachwear and a towel if the weather and sea are suitable.
• Driving has real conditions: You need to be at least 21, hold a full driving licence, and cover the first €450 of an insurance claim.

What the $165 price really covers

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Gozo. It is also much more than a simple sightseeing bus. The value comes from combining several services in one day: pickup, transport to Gozo, a self-drive UTV, a guide, lunch, a boat trip, and the return to your original pickup point.

The self-drive element changes the feel of the day. You are not simply looking out of a window while somebody else follows the route. You take the wheel, stay in convoy, and reach places that a standard coach may not visit. The UTVs are fully automatic, so you do not need to manage a manual gearbox while watching the road and following the guide.

Each UTV seats a driver plus five passengers, all facing forward. That arrangement suits families and groups who want to share one vehicle, though the price is per person rather than per vehicle. If only one or two people in your party want to drive, confirm how the vehicle assignment works before paying.

Lunch is modest but useful. It includes Maltese nibbles, vegetarian baked pasta, water, and a Maltese dessert. Think of it as a filling break, not a long restaurant meal. Dietary requests and food allergies need to be reported before the tour date.

There is also a practical financial point. The insurance does not cover the first €450 of a claim. You take responsibility for that amount if an accident occurs, so this is not a carefree rental-car experience. Drive within the convoy instructions, take the licence requirement seriously, and decide if that excess fits your comfort level.

Pickup from Malta, then across to Gozo

Yippee offers a large network of pickup points across Malta and Gozo. These include hotels, ferry areas, major resorts, and public locations such as the Gozo Fast Ferry, The Phoenicia Malta, Hilton Malta, Mellieha, Qawra, Sliema, St. Julian’s, and Marsaskala.

Your exact pickup time and location arrive after booking by WhatsApp or email. You need to provide a mobile number with the country prefix, and a WhatsApp number is preferred. Be at the meeting point five minutes early, and look for transport holding a Yippee sign.

The transfer time does not count toward the advertised seven-hour activity. That matters if you are planning other activities later in the day. Traffic in Malta can cause delays, so leave your afternoon open rather than scheduling a tight dinner reservation or airport transfer.

The crossing to Gozo is usually made by a boat reserved for Yippee clients, weather permitting. If the sea is rough, the crossing and return use the Gozo Channel communal ferry instead, with the ferry ticket provided. This weather backup is sensible, but it means the boat portion is not fully guaranteed.

Taking the wheel on Gozo’s back roads

The main attraction is the chance to drive a UTV in convoy behind a lead driver. The route uses customized tracks and roads through Gozo’s valleys, open countryside, coastal areas, and off-road sections. You get the fun of controlling the vehicle without having to plan the route or navigate every turn.

The lead driver is important here. You follow a local expert, stop when instructed, and stay with the group. That makes the tour easier than renting a vehicle alone, especially if you have never driven in Gozo. It also limits your freedom. You cannot simply linger at a favorite viewpoint or change the route whenever you like.

The vehicle is described as an ultra-modern, fully automatic UTV with forward-facing seats. That is a good setup for families, and small children can use car seats if requested. A foldable wheelchair and a small lightweight pushchair can be accommodated with advance notice, although the provider should confirm the exact arrangements before booking.

Drivers must be at least 21 and must show a valid driving licence or a picture of it. Provisional licences are not accepted. Bring the physical licence if possible, along with sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and beachwear in summer.

Dwejra Bay and Gozo’s western edge

Dwejra Bay is one of the day’s strongest stops. The rocky coast, open sea views, and famous Inland Sea area give you a clear sense of Gozo’s rugged western side. The stop includes sightseeing, a photo break, and time with the guide.

This is also one of the places where the UTV format makes sense. You get there as part of a scenic route rather than treating it as an isolated photo stop from a coach. Still, do not expect a long, private visit. The overall route is full, and the day must keep moving.

Dwejra is a good place for sturdy shoes and sun protection. Comfortable clothing matters more here than dressing for a formal lunch. The route may include rough ground and off-road sections, so pack for an active day rather than a polished city tour.

Ggantija, Ta’ Pinu, and Gozo’s sacred side

The route includes the Ggantija Temples, one of Gozo’s major archaeological sights. The supplied schedule lists the temple entrance as a sightseeing stop, but it does not promise a long visit or specify how much time you spend inside. If Ggantija is a personal priority, ask the operator about the planned duration before booking.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu receives a shorter visit of about 15 minutes. That is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not a full architectural or religious study. The basilica is best treated as a scenic and cultural pause within a larger driving day.

The Cittadella in Victoria also appears on the route, with about 30 minutes allocated for sightseeing. The old fortified center is one of Gozo’s key landmarks, but half an hour goes quickly. You will need to choose between a quick walk, photographs, and a short look at the views rather than trying to see everything.

This pattern repeats throughout the day. You get a broad introduction to Gozo, not extended time at every major site. I would choose this trip for variety and movement, not for detailed archaeological or church visits.

Salt pans, Wied il-Għasri, and the north coast

The Xwejni Salt Pans provide one of the day’s more distinctive coastal scenes. Their geometric rock-cut pools sit beside the sea, and the stop lasts about 30 minutes. This is enough time to take in the setting and capture photos without turning the outing into a history lecture.

Wied il-Għasri is another 30-minute stop. The narrow valley leading toward the sea is one of Gozo’s memorable natural features. From the route description, you should expect scenic viewing rather than a long walk or a swim here.

Marsalforn Bay receives a shorter stop of about 10 minutes, while Xlendi Bay has only about five minutes listed. Those timings are useful warnings. At both places, you may have time for a quick photograph and a look around, but not a relaxed waterfront meal or a proper swim.

The route also includes Ta’ Cenc Cliffs among its highlighted sights. Exact stop times for every point are not clearly set out, so the lead driver controls the pace. That is normal for a convoy trip, but it is worth remembering if you have a personal list of must-see sites.

The lunch break and the summer swim

The included lunch is a light traditional Gozitan meal. Maltese nibbles, vegetarian baked pasta, water, and dessert give you enough fuel for the driving and walking, but the meal is not presented as a long culinary event.

I see this as a strength for an active tour. You do not need to find a restaurant or spend an hour studying a menu. On the other hand, anyone expecting a large meat-based feast may find the meal limited. Notify the provider ahead of time about allergies or special dietary needs.

In summer, the schedule changes slightly to include a swim stop, weather permitting. Bring swimwear and a towel. The water stop is a welcome counterpoint to the dusty roads and warm sun, but it is not guaranteed, and the amount of swimming time depends on the day’s conditions and route.

The tour information lists swimwear and towels as items you must bring, so do not assume either will be supplied. Sunscreen is equally important. You will spend much of the day outdoors, often with little shade.

Comino, sea caves, and the Blue Lagoon

The return boat is reserved for Yippee clients when conditions allow. The boat trip includes Comino and the Blue Lagoon, with about 20 minutes listed for each cruise segment. The route sails past Comino’s sea caves, adding a pleasant change of pace after the UTV driving.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is a scenic boat passage, not a dedicated Blue Lagoon beach day. The schedule does not promise a long stop ashore at the lagoon, and sea conditions can force the group onto the communal ferry.

The boat is one of the tour’s best value points because it links Gozo and Malta while adding views that you would not get from a standard road transfer. If you mainly want to swim at the Blue Lagoon for several hours, book a dedicated Comino trip instead. If you like the idea of ending a busy Gozo circuit with a short coastal cruise, this fits better.

Guide quality and the feel of the day

The tour offers instruction in Arabic, French, German, Polish, Spanish, English, and Dutch. A multilingual lead makes the convoy easier to follow, especially during safety instructions and route changes.

One named guide connected with the experience is Stephan. The strongest praise attached to the day focuses on his friendly, customer-focused approach, and one French-speaking account calls the mix of road and off-road driving memorable. That is exactly the kind of guide you want here: someone who can keep the convoy organized without draining the fun from the driving.

The day is described as a private group experience, but the UTV format still means convoy travel. Confirm what private group means for your booking if you are particularly concerned about sharing the route with other vehicles. The tour is designed around following a lead driver, not independent exploration.

Who will enjoy this Gozo day most

I would recommend this tour to:

• Families who want a more active alternative to a coach excursion
• Friends who enjoy driving and outdoor scenery
• First-time Gozo visitors who want many highlights in one day
• People who prefer an organized route instead of arranging ferries, lunch, and vehicle hire separately
• Couples or small groups happy to trade long visits for variety

I would hesitate if you want a quiet cultural day, extended time at Ggantija or the Cittadella, or complete control over your schedule. It is also not ideal if nobody in your group is comfortable driving, since the self-drive feature is central to the experience.

Pregnant participants should not book without checking directly with Yippee. The information specifically flags pregnancy as a consideration. Most people can participate, but the provider should advise on individual needs.

Booking details that can save trouble

Book at least one day ahead if possible, since the exact pickup instructions arrive after confirmation. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Bring your driving licence, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and beachwear. A towel is needed for the summer swim stop. Also remember that tips for the chauffeur are not included.

The tour ends with transport back to the original pickup point. Because the activity itself lasts seven hours, excluding transfers, allow most of the day. Sea conditions, traffic, and the number of scenic stops can affect the exact finish time.

Should you book the Gozo UTV tour?

Book it if you want Gozo in motion: a UTV, off-road tracks, coastal views, archaeological sights, lunch, and a boat return to Malta. The route offers more variety than a standard quad or coach outing, and the automatic six-seat vehicle makes it approachable for families and mixed-age groups.

Skip it if your ideal day means lingering at one bay or giving every historic site your full attention. The $165 price is fair for the transport, vehicle, guide, food, and boat connections, but only if you will use the whole package. For an active first look at Gozo, especially with a confident driver in your group, this is a lively and practical choice.

FAQ

How long does the Gozo self-drive tour last?

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

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.

How many people fit in each UTV?

Each modern automatic UTV seats one driver and five passengers, with forward-facing seats.

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 allow. Bring swimwear and a towel.

Is the boat to Comino and the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. A boat reserved for Yippee clients is included when conditions allow, with a scenic route past Comino’s caves and the Blue Lagoon. If the sea is severe, the crossing uses the Gozo Channel communal ferry instead.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. The booking also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.