Quad Bike Malta 2026: Gozo Tours, Prices and Rules

Quad bike Malta tours mostly mean a guided day on Gozo: you ride a quad in a convoy behind a guide, along quiet country roads and dirt tracks to cliffs, bays and viewpoints, usually with a boat or ferry from Malta and a lunch stop included. Operators list roughly €95 to €120 for a quad with one driver, and around €195 to €210 for a full-day tour from Malta with a driver and passenger sharing a quad. Drivers generally need to be at least 21 with a full car driving licence. It is one of the easiest group activities on the islands: no experience needed, and it works for birthdays, stag and hen days or a weekend with friends.

Below we explain how the tours work, what they cost, the rules, what to wear, when to go, and the honest downsides. If you want something calmer on the water, our kayaking Malta guide covers the Gozo sea caves and Comino.

How quad bike Malta tours work

Almost every quad experience in Malta is a guided tour, not a free rental. A typical full day looks like this:

1. Pick-up or meeting point in Malta, often in the north near Ċirkewwa, or at a hotel in Sliema, St Julian’s or Buġibba for some packages.
2. Crossing to Gozo by the public ferry or, with some operators, a private boat that skips the ferry queue and may stop at Comino.
3. Safety briefing and a short practice on the quads before you set off.
4. Convoy riding behind a guide, on public roads and rural tracks, with stops at viewpoints and bays.
5. Lunch stop in a village or by the sea (included on some tours, extra on others).
6. Return crossing in the late afternoon.

Most tours take two people per quad: one driver and one passenger. You can usually swap drivers during the day if both of you meet the licence rules.

Prices and what is included

Prices change by season and operator, so treat these as typical listed prices on booking sites and operator pages in 2026, not a quote.

Before you book, compare five things: whether the price is per person or per quad, whether the boat or ferry is included, whether lunch is included, the insurance excess (some operators take a card as a guarantee) and the cancellation policy for bad weather. Operators such as Yippee Malta and Quad Bikes Gozo publish their conditions online; check several before you choose.

Driver age, licence and passenger rules

• Drivers: most operators require the driver to be at least 21 and to hold a valid full car driving licence (category B). Bring the original card: operators say photocopies, digital photos and provisional or temporary licences are not accepted. Some insurance policies also set an upper age limit of around 70. If two people want to take turns driving, both must meet these rules.
• Under 21? Some operators offer a jeep tour or a passenger seat instead.
• Passengers: the minimum passenger age is between 5 and 10 depending on the operator, and children must ride with a parent or guardian.
• Alcohol: zero tolerance in practice. Save the drinks for after you hand the quad back.
• Deposit: self-drive style tours may hold a credit card for damage excess or traffic fines.

You drive on the left in Malta and Gozo, which matters on the public road sections if you are used to driving on the right. The guide sets a slow pace at first, so you have time to adjust.

What you see on a Gozo quad tour

Routes vary, but Gozo is the right island for this: it is greener, quieter and has more farm tracks than Malta. Stops you will often see on itineraries include:

• Dwejra on the west coast, with its cliffs and inland sea.
• Ta’ Ċenċ cliffs in the south, high and dramatic.
• Ramla Bay, the red-sand beach in the north.
• Xlendi or Marsalforn for a lunch stop by the sea.
• The salt pans near Xwejni and Marsalforn.
• Victoria and the Citadel, sometimes as a short stop.

If you would rather see Gozo at your own pace on another day, our Gozo day trip itinerary works by bus or car.

Full day, half day or sunset?

• Full day: the classic choice, with the crossing, five or six hours on and off the quads and a long lunch. Best value if you are crossing from Malta anyway.
• Half day: good if you are already staying in Gozo or want a slower day.
• Sunset tour: shorter, ending at a west-facing viewpoint. Lovely light, but you return in the dark, so it suits people already based in Gozo or on a package with transfers.
• Private tour: worth asking about for a group of six or more, especially for birthdays or a stag or hen day.

What to wear and bring

• Closed shoes (trainers are fine). No flip-flops.
• Clothes you do not mind getting dusty, and long trousers if you want to protect your legs.
• Sunglasses, a buff or scarf for dust, and high-factor sunscreen.
• A light jacket for the boat, and a windproof layer from November to March.
• Your original driving licence and ID, plus a card for any deposit.
• A small bag that fits under the seat or in the storage box, and a phone pouch.

Helmets are provided by the operator. If you are prone to sea sickness, take something before the crossing.

Best season and weather

Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November) are the best times: green or golden countryside, mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer works, but the midday sun on a dusty track is brutal, so choose a tour with long shaded breaks or a sunset slot. Winter days can be lovely and clear, but tours may be cancelled for strong winds or rain because the crossing and the tracks become unsafe. Check the weather the day before; our guide to Malta weather warnings explains what the alerts mean.

The honest downsides

• It is a convoy. You follow a guide at a controlled speed, so do not expect off-road racing.
• Dust and noise. Riders at the back of the line eat the most dust; ask to swap positions after lunch.
• Public roads. Parts of the route are on normal roads with cars and buses.
• Ferry time. The crossing and transfers take a big chunk of the day in summer.
• Countryside impact. Stay on the tracks the guide uses; Gozo’s fields are private farmland.

Planning a quad day with friends

Quads are naturally social: pairs share a quad, the convoy stops every half hour, and lunch is a long table. That makes them a strong choice for a birthday in Malta or a weekend plan with people you are still getting to know.

1. Count the drivers first: everyone driving needs a full licence and must meet the age rule.
2. Pair people up early, so nobody ends up without a seat.
3. Book a week or two ahead in summer; private tours need more notice.
4. Agree who pays before booking: per person, per quad, or one person pays and everyone settles up.
5. Plan something easy for the evening, because you will be tired and dusty.

For more ideas that work with a group, see our list of things to do with friends in Malta. Pair a Gozo quad day with a Comino day trip with friends on another day, or, if you get hooked on outdoor sport, look at a triathlon club in Malta.

Want to turn this into an actual plan? MeetNow is a free web app for meeting people in person, starting in Malta: a host posts a plan at a public place, such as a meeting point before a Gozo tour, sets the date, time and seats, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins from the people who ask with a short note. Open MeetNow and see the plans in Malta.

Featured photo: Gozo countryside. Photo: ShaqSpear, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Ferry times: Gozo Channel.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How much does a quad bike tour in Malta cost?

Operators list roughly €95 to €120 for a quad with one driver, and around €195 to €210 for a full-day tour from Malta with a driver and passenger sharing a quad. Check what is included: transfers, lunch and insurance vary.

Do you need a licence to drive a quad bike in Malta?

Yes. Tour operators usually require the driver to be at least 21 and to show the original of a valid full car driving licence. Copies, photos and provisional licences are not accepted.

Can children ride on a quad tour in Malta?

Yes, as passengers. The minimum age is between 5 and 10 depending on the operator, and children ride with a parent or guardian.

Are quad tours in Malta or Gozo?

Most run in Gozo, with a ferry or private boat from Malta included in many packages, because Gozo has quieter roads and rural tracks. A smaller number of tours run in Malta itself.

What should I wear for quad biking in Malta?

Closed shoes, clothes you do not mind getting dusty, sunglasses, sunscreen and a light layer for the boat. Operators provide helmets. In winter bring a windproof jacket.