From Malta: Gozo Quad Bike Tour & Comino Boat Tour w/ Lunch

Gozo is best seen with a little motion. This 570cc quad-bike tour takes you along country roads, coastal tracks, cliffs, bays, and salt pans, then finishes with a boat ride around Comino. Guides such as Dave, Chris, Joseph, and Mahmoud are known for clear instructions, friendly humor, and keeping the convoy together.

I like the way the day combines two very different views of the islands: the dusty, open-air freedom of Gozo by quad and the close-up coastal views from a boat. I also like the useful mix of sightseeing and local food, with a traditional Gozitan lunch rather than a simple snack stop.

The main thing to consider is the ride itself. Gozo’s roads and tracks can be bumpy, and anyone with sore joints may find the quad uncomfortable. The boat portion also depends on weather, and the summer swimming stop is not offered year-round.

Key points to know before you book

• A full Gozo circuit by quad: Visit Sanap Cliffs, Xlendi, Dwejra Bay, Wied il-Mielah, Għasri Valley, Xwejni Salt Pans, and other stops in one day.
• Powerful 570cc machines: Each quad can carry one driver and one passenger, giving couples or friends the choice to share.
• A guide-led convoy: You receive a safety briefing, helmet, and practical help before setting off. Guides keep an eye on the group and make frequent stops.
• Lunch with local flavor: The included meal in Sannat gives you a chance to try traditional Gozitan food, though special dietary choices may be limited.
• Comino by private boat: The final cruise passes the Blue Lagoon, bays, and coastal caves, with a swim stop in summer if conditions allow.

Starting from Malta and crossing to Gozo

Your day begins with pickup from a hotel or a nearby accessible point. There are many pickup locations around Malta, including Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian’s, Mellieha, Qawra, Marsaskala, and several resorts. The exact instructions arrive by WhatsApp or email, and you should be waiting five minutes early.

A van transfer takes about an hour. Malta traffic can slow things down, so do not plan a tight appointment for later in the day. The transport company uses a Yippee sign, which helps you spot the vehicle at a busy pickup point.

From Marfa, you board a private boat reserved for the tour group, weather permitting. This is a pleasant start because you avoid simply sitting on a large ferry with no connection to the day ahead. If the private boat cannot operate safely, you receive tickets for the Gozo Channel ferry instead, with transport arranged from Cirkewwa.

Once you reach Mgarr Harbour, the quad team takes over. The day is organized around a convoy, not independent riding, so you need to stay with the group and follow the guide’s pace.

Safety briefing and the first quad-bike miles

Before riding, you receive a helmet and a safety and operating briefing. Drivers must be at least 21 and must show a valid driving license. A photo or copy of the license is accepted with identification, but provisional and learner licenses are not.

The quads seat one driver and one passenger. Couples can take turns, and a passenger can enjoy the views without having to manage the controls. If you are new to quad biking, say so at the start. First-time riders have been helped through the briefing, and guides have also offered to carry people on the back of their own quads when someone did not feel ready to drive.

The machines are described as powerful, which is useful on rougher tracks but means you should not treat the ride like a casual scooter trip. Gozo includes paved roads, country lanes, and bumpy sections. Closed-toe shoes are required, and sunglasses and a hat are sensible in the open sun.

There is an insurance excess of €450. This means the first €450 of an accident claim is excluded from coverage and must be paid by the driver or hirer. Read that condition carefully before booking, especially if you have little motorbike or ATV experience.

Sanap Cliffs and the southern side of Gozo

One of the first major stops is the Sanap Cliffs, where the high coast opens into broad views over the sea. You get around 30 minutes here, enough for photographs and a short walk away from the quad.

The stop matters because the quad ride is not just about speed. You move from village roads to open cliff country, and the contrast gives you a better sense of Gozo’s scale. The guide also provides commentary about the places along the route, so it helps to ask questions rather than treating each stop as a photo break.

The route includes Sannat and Pjazza l-Għejun, with about 45 minutes at the latter area. These pauses break up the riding and make the day manageable for people who want adventure without spending seven straight hours on a vibrating seat.

Xlendi, Dwejra, and the west coast

At Xlendi, you get a short sightseeing stop. This popular coastal area is known for its inlet and steep surroundings, and the quick visit gives you a taste of Gozo’s seaside villages without turning the tour into a long beach stay.

The route then reaches Dwejra Bay for about 45 minutes. Dwejra is one of the island’s most memorable coastal areas, with open sea, unusual rock formations, and a strong sense of exposure to the elements. You might find the stop especially rewarding on a clear day, when the water and stone create strong views from several angles.

Wied il-Mielah follows, with around 30 minutes to look around. The rock arch here is a major reason for visiting, and the stop gives you another example of Gozo’s natural formations without requiring a separate hike or boat trip.

The schedule is fairly active. You will be stopping, walking short distances, taking photographs, and getting back onto the quad several times. I like this rhythm because it prevents the tour from becoming one long ride, but anyone hoping for a slow day at each site may find the timing brisk.

Għasri Valley and the Xwejni Salt Pans

The ride through Għasri Valley adds a quieter inland section. This is where the quad becomes especially useful. You can pass through country scenery and smaller roads that are harder to cover efficiently by standard sightseeing bus.

At the Xwejni Salt Pans near Żebbuġ, you have about 30 minutes. The pans form a striking grid beside the coast, where shallow salt-making pools have been cut into the rock. This is one of the more distinctive stops because it connects Gozo’s natural setting with an old local trade.

The salt pans are also a good reminder that the island is not only about beaches and cliffs. The route gives you a mixture of village streets, working countryside, coastal rock, and traditional food, which makes the day feel more rounded than a simple scenic drive.

Some riders would like more off-road time. The tour includes country trails and off-road sections, but it is still a sightseeing trip with many paved roads and planned stops. You get a taste of rougher riding rather than an all-day technical ATV course.

Lunch in Sannat and the food question

Lunch takes place in Sannat and lasts about 45 minutes. It is included in the price and is meant to introduce you to traditional Gozitan flavors. The meal is useful for two reasons: it gives you a proper break from the ride, and it lets you try local food without having to research a restaurant during a tightly planned day.

Portions have been described as plentiful, and several people have found the meal delicious. Still, lunch is the least consistent part of the experience. Some diners have found it only acceptable, while others wanted more choices for food allergies.

If you have strict dietary needs, tell the operator before booking and do not assume the standard meal will cover them. The tour includes light traditional Gozitan lunch, not a restaurant menu with unlimited alternatives.

The stop may also include dessert and local snacks. Bring water if you tend to drink often in hot weather, though ice water has been available during the meal. Malta’s summer heat can be tiring after several hours outdoors, so use lunch as a real rest rather than rushing back to the quad.

Crystal Lagoon and the summer swim

The route includes Crystal Lagoon for about 25 minutes. The stop links the land portion of the day with the later boat trip around Comino, and it gives you another chance to see clear coastal water from ground level.

The swimming details need careful attention. A swim stop at the Blue Lagoon takes place during the summer months, and only when conditions allow. It is not a guaranteed year-round feature, so pack swimwear and a towel if you are visiting in warm season, but do not book the tour solely for swimming.

You should also expect the Blue Lagoon to be a short part of a much longer day. The main experience is the Gozo quad route. The water stop works as a refreshing finish rather than a full beach afternoon.

Comino’s caves from a private boat

After the quad tour, you return to the boat for a cruise around Comino. The boat passes the Blue Lagoon, other bays, and sea caves, with the crew taking you close to the rock openings when conditions permit.

This final section is more than a transfer back to Malta. From the water, you get a different view of the cliffs and caves you cannot reach by quad. The boat has also been used for close passes by the cave entrances and for photographs, which makes the ride worthwhile even if you do not swim.

Some departures include music on board, adding a festive touch. The boat can also move quickly, and rough water is possible. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable and keep your expectations flexible.

Weather rules are firm here. If the private boat is unsafe, the operator provides communal ferry tickets instead. The Comino portion may then be shortened or omitted, so the boat should be treated as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed.

How much value do you get for $135?

The listed price is $135 per group up to one person, but check the booking screen carefully because quad seating and group pricing can vary by date or option. The cost includes pickup and drop-off, transport to Gozo, the guided quad, helmet, safety briefing, lunch, and the private boat trip when weather permits.

That is a lot of moving parts for one seven-hour activity. Booking separate transport, a Gozo sightseeing route, an ATV rental, lunch, and a Comino boat trip would require more planning and could easily cost more once transfers are added.

The value is strongest if you want to see many parts of Gozo in one day. It is less compelling if you already have a rental car, want long visits at each site, or prefer a quiet beach day. You are paying for organization, access to a powerful quad, a guide, and the ability to combine two islands in one schedule.

The guides are a major part of the value. Names reported across different departures include Dave, Chris, Joseph, Krisztián, Mahmoud, Saif, Atef, and Mayron. The best guides keep the convoy safe, explain the island, notice when someone is struggling, and set a pace that leaves room for photographs.

Who should book this Gozo day?

I would choose this for couples, friends, and active families who want more than a standard coach tour. An eight-year-old has taken part as a passenger, but children under five are not allowed, and the adult driver rules still apply.

It works especially well for first-time quad riders because the briefing, convoy, and frequent stops provide structure. It also suits experienced riders who want scenery and local stops rather than a pure off-road challenge.

I would think twice if you have back, knee, or hip problems. The bumpy road sections can be hard on the body, and one rider specifically found the route uncomfortable for bad joints. The weight limit is 331 pounds, or 150 kilograms.

Bring a valid license, identification, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and closed-toe shoes. Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Wear clothes you do not mind exposing to dust, spray, or sudden rain. Raincoats have been provided when weather changed, but Malta’s conditions are not fully predictable.

Should you book the Gozo quad and Comino boat tour?

Book it if you want a busy, well-organized day that covers cliffs, bays, inland roads, salt pans, local food, and Comino without arranging each piece yourself. The strongest reasons are the range of stops, the friendly guide support, and the unusual combination of quad riding with a cave-and-lagoon boat trip.

Skip it if you want long, peaceful visits, guaranteed swimming, or a serious off-road driving course. Also skip it if a €450 insurance excess or rough roads makes you uneasy.

For most active visitors, this is one of the more efficient ways to see Gozo. The lunch may not suit every diet, and weather can change the boat plan, but the core quad route remains the main attraction. I would book it for the scenery and the chance to see Gozo from several angles in one day, not simply for the Blue Lagoon.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. The schedule includes pickup, transport to Gozo, the guided quad route, lunch, and the boat trip around Comino.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and must present a valid driving license with identification. Provisional and learner licenses are not accepted. A photo or copy of the license is accepted.

Can two people share one quad?

Yes. The quads are designed for one driver and one passenger. Couples or friends can take turns driving if they meet the driver requirements.

Is the Blue Lagoon swimming stop guaranteed?

No. Swimming takes place during the summer months and depends on the schedule and weather conditions. The Comino boat trip itself is also weather-dependent.

What happens if the private boat cannot operate?

A communal Gozo Channel ferry is provided if the private boat is unsafe because of weather. Transport is arranged from the ferry terminal at Cirkewwa.

What is included with the tour?

Pickup and drop-off, a guide, quad bike use, helmets, a safety briefing, a traditional Gozitan lunch, and the private boat trip past Comino’s caves and the Blue Lagoon when weather permits are included. Swimwear and towels are not included.