Gozo by buggy is pure fun. This full-day tour strings together big island views, salt-pans scenery, and a Comino swim, with a guide who helps you understand what you are seeing, not just where to stand for photos. I like the buggy-style touring because it keeps you close to viewpoints, and I also like the Blue Lagoon stop because you actually get time in the water.

I also appreciate the human touch. Many guides (Stephen, Mo, Marco, Joe, and George show up in the guide line-ups you might encounter) bring local context, and the lunch at Mariblu Guesthouse is built into the schedule with a cold buffet plus free wine and water for legal age 17 and up.

One consideration: the buggy ride can get uncomfortable if the weather turns rainy, since the open feel means you may end up damp and the day can feel less close-up than planned.

Key Things That Make This Gozo Plus Comino Day Work

• Buggy touring for viewpoints you would skip on foot, plus photo stops timed to move smoothly through the day
• Guided stops with real context, not just a checklist of places to visit
• Mariblu lunch at the middle of the tour, with cold buffet and included drinks (wine included for legal age 17+)
• Comino’s Blue Lagoon swim time (45 minutes), which is long enough to cool off and reset
• Dwejra Bay includes an optional extra-cost mini boat moment, so you can choose how adventurous you feel

Morning in Valletta: How the Day Starts Smoothly

You start around 8:00 am in Valletta, and the flow is designed to keep you from thinking too hard. You are picked up by a mini-van, then taken to a company boat for the crossing to Gozo.

What I like about this setup is that it turns the annoying parts of island-hopping into a simple routine. You get air-conditioned vehicle time for the transfer, and then you shift into island mode. The total experience runs about 6 to 7 hours, and that includes the travel between Malta and Gozo plus the Comino stop later.

If you hate early alarms, plan for that. This is a morning departure. And if you are trying to do another thing later that same day, keep your schedule loose, because the day runs long on purpose.

Qala Belvedere: A Comino View Photo Stop Worth the Pull-Off

The first scheduled stop is in Qala, at the Qala Belveder area. You get about 20 minutes, including a photo stop with views across to Comino, and also over to the wider Malta side.

This is the kind of stop that does not look important on paper, but it sets your mental map for the day. Seeing Comino from a height helps you understand why people rave about the water later, since you are already imagining that curve of coastline while the buggy ride is still warming up.

The time here is short, so come ready to move quickly: grab the photo, then settle in for the next move.

Ggantija Temples and Calypso Cave: Prehistoric and Red Sand

After Qala, you jump to Ggantija Museum for about 30 minutes. This is tied to the prehistoric temples at Ggantija, and this stop is free of additional admission only for the tour itself, not for your entry. Admission is not included here, so budget for the ticket if you plan to go inside.

Then you move to Calypso Cave, with a 25-minute photo stop focused on the red sandy beach look. You do not have long here, so treat it like a view-and-camera stop rather than a long exploration. If your goal is dramatic coastline photos, this is a strong use of time.

A practical tip: Gozo light can be tricky. Bring sunglasses, and be ready for bright glare during the photo stops.

The Citadel and Quick Culture Pass-By Moments

One of the emotional centers of the day is The Citadel. You get about 30 minutes, and the point is the fortification story, including its role in the siege against the Ottoman army and how citizens hid when they were under attack.

Even if you do not plan to walk far, this stop gives you perspective. Gozo is not just sea and views. It has defensive geography, and the Citadel helps you connect cliffs and visibility to why settlements were built where they were.

On the way you also pass by Sanap cliffs for another set of coastline views, then after lunch you pass by Xewkija local Church and later ta’ Pinu for photo opportunities. These are quick passes, but they are useful if you want the feel of Gozo’s character without adding walking time.

Mariblu Lunch Break: Cold Buffet, Free Wine, and a Reset

Lunch is at Mariblu Bed and Breakfast, about 1 hour. You are served a cold buffet, and the drinks are part of the deal: free wine and water during lunch for guests of legal age 17+.

This lunch break matters because it stops the day from feeling like nonstop driving and standing still. It also gives you a chance to cool down, refuel, and ask your driver any island questions that came up during the morning stops.

That said, not everyone loves the same kind of lunch. One review called the lunch not great and suggested bringing your own backup food. If you are picky, I would bring a small snack pack just in case. You still get the included meal, but you protect yourself from a bad surprise.

Dwejra Bay: Cliffs, Cave Area Views, and Optional Boat Minutes

Next up is Dwejra Bay, with a 20-minute stop to explore the area. You also have an option for a minute boat trip at extra cost, which can add a little more adventure if the sea looks calm enough for you.

This stop works well because it is not only a viewpoint. You get that Gozo sense of scale where cliffs feel close and the coast looks carved by waves over time. If you want to stretch your legs without committing to a long hike, this is a good slot.

If you get motion-sick easily, be cautious with the optional boat moment. The data only says it is at extra cost and very short, so treat it as optional flavor, not a must-do.

Xlendi Photo Stop, Xwejni Salt Pans, and Xwejni Bay Swim

You will have a short photo stop at Xlendi (about 10 minutes) for the cliffs around the area. This is quick, but it keeps the route visual, so you keep moving through changing coastline scenes.

Then you visit Xwejni Salt Pans for about 10 minutes. This is about the natural salt pans where locals gather salt from sea water. Even in a short visit, you can see the logic of the place: seawater, evaporation, and the built-by-people shaping that makes salt production possible.

The day adds real water time at Xwejni Bay, with about 20 minutes for a small swim stop. This is not the big finale swim, but it is a satisfying mid-to-late-day chance to get your feet wet and cool off.

And if you are a photo person, keep your camera ready at all three of these stops. The cliffs and salt-pan textures change with light.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon Finale: 45 Minutes to Actually Swim

After passing ta’ Pinu for photos, you reach the big Comino moment: Blue Lagoon. You get about 45 minutes for swimming in Comino before heading back toward Malta.

This stop is why many people choose this tour. It is long enough to rinse off, get a swim in, and still have time to enjoy the views without racing the clock. A few reviews even mention playful water access options like steps and slides in the Blue Lagoon area, so it is not just a flat swim, it can feel like a proper beach break.

In practical terms, bring swimwear and a towel if you can. Also, since the tour depends on good weather, you want a dry plan for if the day is choppy.

Price and Value: Is $102.84 a Good Deal?

At $102.84 per person, the value comes from stacking experiences into one booked day. For that price, you get guided stops, buggy touring, and a lunch break with drinks, plus boat travel as part of the Malta to Gozo and Comino flow.

Where the money really adds up:

• Lunch with wine and water for legal age 17+ is a tangible savings, not just a “nice to have.”
• Comino’s Blue Lagoon swim gives you a chunk of water time that you would otherwise have to coordinate separately.
• Multiple stops across Gozo, including salt pans and the Citadel, keep your day full.

Where you should plan ahead:

• Ggantija admission is not included, so factor in that ticket cost if you want to go in.

Also remember the day runs 6 to 7 hours, and part of that time is transfer. If you compare prices, do it against tours that include transportation by boat and lunch, not just a basic buggy ride.

Who Should Book This Buggy Tour, and Who Might Skip It

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• a fun way to see Gozo’s highlights without committing to a full hiking day
• photo stops plus short exploration, with a guide who explains what you are looking at
• at least two swim chances (Xwejni Bay and Blue Lagoon in Comino)

You might skip or approach with caution if:

• you are sensitive to rain, since at least one experience described getting very wet when weather turned
• you dislike noisy, bumpy rides or you expect a silent, smooth vehicle
• you have strict timing needs in the late afternoon, because the day includes travel time back to Malta

Should You Book the Gozo Buggy Plus Comino Stop?

If you want a day that feels like Gozo and Comino in one go, this is an easy yes. The route mixes big views, a prehistoric stop, salt pans, and two water breaks, and the lunch is included with drinks, which makes the day feel complete.

My booking advice: do it if your schedule can handle an early start and you are flexible if weather changes. If you are an anxious packer, bring a small rain cover or poncho and a snack backup for lunch. If you do that, you will be set to enjoy the best part of the day, the buggy ride plus the Blue Lagoon swim.

FAQ

How long is the Gozo buggy tour?

It runs about 6 to 7 hours, depending on travel time to and from the stops.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and you are picked up by a mini-van that takes you to a company boat, then on to Gozo.

Do I need a ticket in advance?

You receive a mobile ticket after booking.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for the transfers, a guide/driver, and lunch drinks (free wine and water during lunch for legal age 17+).

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at Mariblu Bed and Breakfast as a cold buffet, and wine and water are included with lunch for legal age 17+.

Do I pay for Ggantija admission?

Ggantija Museum admission is not included, so you should plan to pay for entry if you want to visit.

Are there swim stops?

Yes. There is a small swim stop at Xwejni Bay (about 20 minutes) and a Blue Lagoon swim stop in Comino (about 45 minutes). Boat time at Dwejra Bay is also offered as an optional extra-cost activity.

Is the tour weather-dependent?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the group size limit?

There is a maximum of 60 travelers for this activity.