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

The best part of this day is the access. A two-seat automatic buggy takes you along narrow country tracks and rough coastal routes that a regular sightseeing bus cannot reach. You see Gozo at ground level, with salt pans, cliffs, sea air, and dusty back roads all built into the day.

I like the boat return through Comino’s caves, and I like that lunch is handled with a picnic stop rather than eating up your sightseeing time. The main caution is the insurance excess: you are responsible for the first €450 of any claim, so this is not a carefree rental.

Key points at a glance

• Gozo by self-drive buggy: You drive your own automatic vehicle, with one passenger beside you.
• Four major Gozo sights: The route includes the Inland Sea, Wied il-Ghasri, Qbajjar Salt Pans, and Ta’ Cenc Cliffs.
• Boat return through Comino: The return crossing includes views of Comino’s caves and a Blue Lagoon area swim stop in summer, weather permitting.
• Guides who lead from the front: Recent departures have included guides named Wissar, Ouissem, and Yannick, with instruction available in English, French, or Arabic.
• A full outdoor day: You get pickup, the Gozo crossing, buggy fuel, helmets, raincoats when needed, and a picnic.
• Important driver rule: You must be at least 21 and hold a valid driving license. Provisional and learner licenses are not accepted.

Why a buggy is a good way to see Gozo

Gozo is small, but its best scenery does not always sit beside a wide road. The buggy lets you move between paved roads, country trails, and off-road sections while following a lead driver. That gives you more variety than a standard coach outing, without asking you to navigate alone.

The buggies launched with a new fleet in August 2024. They are automatic, have seatbelts, and carry one driver plus one passenger. That makes the driving fairly simple, but you still need to feel comfortable handling an all-terrain vehicle over uneven ground.

You should expect dust, sun, wind, and some bouncing. Closed-toe shoes are required, and sunglasses are a smart idea. I would also wear clothes that can handle a little road dust and bring swimwear and a towel if the weather is warm.

The format suits couples, friends, and families with an adult driver. It is less suitable if you want a quiet sightseeing day or if you dislike driving in a convoy. Pregnant women should not take this tour.

The morning crossing from Malta to Gozo

Pickup is arranged from your hotel or the closest accessible point. You provide a mobile number, preferably WhatsApp, along with accommodation details, and the operator sends the meeting point and pickup time by email or WhatsApp.

Be at the advised point five minutes early. A vehicle carrying a Yippee sign takes you to the boat or ferry crossing. The transport system appears well coordinated, but the operation can be large. One Christmas departure involved more than 100 people arriving through several minibuses before the group crossed to Gozo. That does not mean you will all ride together, but it does mean this is a polished commercial operation rather than a tiny private outing.

The Gozo crossing is part of the pleasure. You get open-water views on the way across, then meet the buggy team after arriving. If sea conditions permit, the company uses its own Yippee boat. If not, ferry tickets are supplied. Weather also controls the Comino section later in the day.

Cruise ship passengers have a specific arrangement: pickup is outside Magazino Hall at 8:00 a.m., with return expected at about 6:00 p.m. That is useful, but the timing leaves little room for delays, so you should follow the pickup instructions closely.

Safety briefing and choosing your buggy

Before setting off, you receive an operational and safety briefing. The team explains the controls, the convoy system, and the insurance arrangements. You then drive your own buggy with a guide leading the route.

Drivers must be 21 or older and fully qualified to drive. Provisional and learner licenses are not accepted. The information says an original valid license is required, while the operating notes also say pictures or copies may be accepted when shown with identification. I would bring the original license whenever possible, since that avoids a last-minute argument at check-in.

The vehicles are third-party insured, but the first €450 of any claim is excluded from cover and must be paid by the driver or hirer in the event of an accident. Read this carefully before turning the key. It is the single most important cost detail in the booking.

The buggy seats one driver and one passenger. If you are a group of three, you need to think about how you will share the vehicles, since the basic setup is built around two people per buggy. The supplied details do not explain a rotation policy, so ask before booking if your party needs more flexible seating.

Gozo’s coast, tracks, and major stops

The route is designed around contrast. You move from country lanes to sea views, then from natural rock and open coast to the more unusual salt-making area around Qbajjar.

The Inland Sea and Dwejra area

The Inland Sea is a striking coastal spot linked to the open water by a narrow rock opening. The buggy route gives you time around the area, and an optional boat trip at Dwejra is available for an extra charge.

That optional ride is worth considering if you want to see the coast from the water, but it is not included. The day already has a boat section at Comino, so budget-conscious visitors may prefer to skip the add-on and keep the included schedule moving.

Wied il-Ghasri

Wied il-Ghasri is a narrow coastal inlet cut into the rock. It is one of the places where the buggy route earns its keep, since the stop feels more remote than a typical roadside viewpoint.

You should not expect a long solo wander. The tour runs as a guided convoy, so the group follows the leader and keeps to the planned route. That is helpful on unfamiliar tracks, though it limits how freely you can set your own pace.

Qbajjar Salt Pans

The Qbajjar Salt Pans bring a human pattern to the coast. Shallow rectangular pans spread across the rock, showing how seawater can be used to produce salt. They are especially useful as a photo stop because the straight lines of the pans contrast with the rough shore.

This is also a good reminder that the tour is not only about speed. The buggy gives you the thrill of off-road movement, but the guide also provides context about the places you pass. Guide Wissar has been singled out for clear explanations on a recent departure, while Ouissem and Yannick have also been named in connection with highly rated outings. Guide language options are English, French, and Arabic.

Ta’ Cenc Cliffs

Ta’ Cenc is one of Gozo’s high coastal points. From here, you get broad sea views and a stronger sense of the island’s exposed edge.

A buggy is useful on a day like this because it links several scattered sights without forcing you to find parking at each one. The tradeoff is that the route remains a group ride. You stop when the lead guide stops, not whenever a view catches your eye.

The picnic lunch and the value of the long stop

Lunch is supplied as a picnic during an extended stop. It includes an array of Maltese dishes, giving you a chance to try local food without spending more time searching for a restaurant.

I like this arrangement for a full-day outdoor tour. You can eat, rest, and recharge while the buggies remain part of the setting. It also keeps the itinerary efficient. You do not lose an hour waiting for a large group to order and pay.

Still, a picnic is not the same as a restaurant meal. If you need a special diet, the supplied details do not promise specific alternatives, so ask before departure. Bring water as well, since the listed inclusions do not specifically promise bottled water.

The return boat through Comino

The return trip is more than simple transport. A Yippee boat carries you back while passing Comino’s caves and the Blue Lagoon area. In summer, there is a swim stop at one of Comino’s lagoons, with the chance to get into the water from the boat.

This is a strong finish because it changes the pace completely. After hours on dirt tracks and country roads, you get sea views, rock formations, and time in the water. Bring a towel, swimwear, and a secure way to carry small items.

The Comino part depends on weather. If conditions prevent the boat sightseeing section, ferry tickets are provided instead. You should book this tour for the Gozo buggy day first, with the caves and swim treated as an excellent extra rather than a guarantee.

The Blue Lagoon can be very busy in peak season, and the supplied details do not promise an empty swimming area. The value here is the boat approach and the chance to stop on the water, not a private beach visit.

Is the $135 price good value?

The listed price is $135 per group up to one, though the wording is unusual for a two-seat buggy. Confirm the final price and vehicle allocation before payment, especially if you are booking for more than one person.

The package includes a lot: pickup and return in Malta or Gozo, the Gozo crossing, a self-drive buggy, a lead guide, fuel, helmets, hairnets, raincoats when required, a picnic, and the return boat when conditions allow. If you used separate transport, rented a vehicle, paid for food, and arranged a Comino boat trip independently, the costs and planning would add up quickly.

The value is strongest for two people sharing a buggy. You receive a full day of transport and sightseeing, plus a structured route through places that are awkward to connect by public transport. The price is less attractive if you do not want to drive, cannot meet the license rules, or mainly want a beach and boat outing.

Remember the possible €450 insurance liability. That does not necessarily make the tour poor value, but it changes how you should compare it with a standard sightseeing excursion. Ask about the insurance terms at the briefing and drive conservatively.

Who should book this Gozo day?

I would choose this tour if you want an active way to see Gozo and you enjoy having a guide handle the route while you control the vehicle. It is particularly suitable for:

• Couples who want one buggy and a full day outdoors
• Friends who enjoy off-road driving and coastal views
• Families with an eligible adult driver
• Cruise passengers looking for a fixed-day shore excursion
• People who want both Gozo and a Comino boat section in one booking

I would choose something else if you want a slow cultural tour, a quiet private itinerary, or guaranteed swimming conditions. The day includes a lot of movement, and the convoy structure means you will not have complete control over timing.

The group arrangement also deserves a careful look. The booking is described as a private group, but the wider operation can assemble a large number of customers for transfers and crossings. Your buggy segment may feel organized and personal, yet the transport portions can involve a much larger group.

Small details that make the day easier

Bring your original driving license, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and closed-toe shoes. A copy or phone image may be accepted according to the operating notes, but the original is the safer choice.

Keep your WhatsApp active before pickup. The closest meeting point may not be directly outside your hotel, and the transport company uses a Yippee sign.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Follow the safety briefing, stay behind the lead buggy, and remember that the route can include uneven ground and exposed coastal conditions.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. The activity information displays a duration of 24 days, which is clearly inconsistent with the full-day schedule and the stated 8:00 a.m. to approximately 6:00 p.m. cruise pickup. Check the actual date and start time when booking.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want the most active version of a Gozo sightseeing day. The combination of a self-drive buggy, local guide, Maltese picnic, major coastal stops, and a Comino boat return gives you a lot for one day.

Before paying, confirm the exact price for your party, the license paperwork, and the insurance excess. If the weather is unsettled, accept that the Comino boat and swim may be replaced by a ferry crossing.

For confident drivers aged 21 or older, this is a strong choice. For anyone hoping to relax without dust, convoy rules, or responsibility for a vehicle, a standard boat or coach trip will be a better fit.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

It is presented as a full-day activity. Cruise passengers are told to expect pickup at 8:00 a.m. and return at approximately 6:00 p.m.

What age must the buggy driver be?

Drivers must be at least 21 years old.

Can I use a provisional or learner license?

No. Provisional and learner licenses are not accepted.

Does the driver need to bring a license?

Yes. Bring a valid driving license. The operating information says pictures or copies may be accepted with identification, but carrying the original is the safest option.

How many people fit in one buggy?

Each automatic buggy seats one driver and one passenger.

Is the buggy automatic?

Yes. The vehicles are automatic and have fitted seatbelts.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic with Maltese dishes is included during an extended stop.

Is the Comino boat trip guaranteed?

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

Is swimming included?

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

Is the Dwejra Inland Sea boat ride included?

No. The Inland Sea Dwejra boat trip is optional and costs extra.