Four wheel views, eight hours, lots of stops. This full-day northwest Madeira safari with Green Devil Safari aims to pack the island’s best scenery into one run, mixing high altitude lookouts, the Fanal laurel forest, and the volcanic coast around Porto Moniz. It runs from 8:30am for about eight hours, with a local guide and an English-speaking group.

What I like most is the sheer variety: you go from viewpoint quick-hits to a proper forest pause in Fanal, plus time in and around the sea pools at Porto Moniz. You’ll also spend a good chunk of the day above the clouds, since Paul da Serra and Bica da Cana are all about mountain air and wide visibility.

One thing to consider before you book is the tour’s promise of an open-roof 4×4 and specific named stops. Your day can depend on conditions, so if Bica da Cana or the open-roof photo angles are the whole reason you chose this, confirm that plan with the operator ahead of time.

Key highlights to look for on this Madeira northwest day

• Fanal forest pause: short but meaningful time in the laurel forest area linked with endemic species like the long-toed pigeon
• Bica da Cana viewpoint: high-altitude panorama (around 1580 meters), with the possibility of seeing São Vicente when visibility is good
• Paul da Serra recharge zone: a key groundwater area, worth seeing for how Madeira’s interior feeds the rest of the island
• Ribeira da Janela coast hits: multiple quick stops focused on river valleys meeting the Atlantic
• Porto Moniz timing: a long block to explore, plus optional natural swimming pools (extra cost)
• Veu da Noiva waterfall: a final water-and-rock payoff, with a curtain of water dropping about 30 meters

What you’re really buying: a northwest scenery circuit in 8 hours

This is a full-day circuit designed to hit a lot of Madeira “greatest hits” without you driving. The route leans heavily into viewpoints, but it still feels like a journey because you travel from the island’s interior highlands down toward the north coast and volcanic coastline.

For me, the best value angle is the mix of stops that are both iconic and practical for a day trip. You get the Fanal laurel forest experience, then you get coast time with Porto Moniz, which is where Madeira’s dramatic geology becomes very real. If you want a single day that gives you a wide map of the northwest, this format can be a good fit.

The catch is that this kind of schedule moves fast. Most stops are around 10 to 15 minutes, which is great for photos and quick understanding, but it is not the style of tour where you linger for hours.

Meeting point and timing, and how to set yourself up

You start at Estátua de Cristiano Ronaldo on Av. Sá Carneiro 27, São Martinho, 9000-017 Funchal. The tour begins at 8:30am, and it returns to the meeting point at the end of the day.

Pickup is offered, and it matters because Madeira driving and parking can eat time. If you’re staying in Funchal or Caniço, pickup for hotels, Airbnb, and even the cruise dock is free for this tour. If you’re coming from other areas, there are extra pickup fees listed by zone, so double-check that your stop location matches the amount.

Also, the day is weather-dependent in a real way. At these altitudes and on coastal edges, fog can move in quickly. So the most practical mindset is to pack for changeable conditions and take what the day gives you at each viewpoint.

From Funchal area into the hills: Tabua and Serra de Água meaning

The day’s early stop connects you to local geography and old water milling traditions. The name around the area is derived from historical watermill construction used for sawmilling, tied to serra de água and later applied to the wider parish.

Then you arrive at Tabua, a stop that connects the place name to a plant called tabua, once used in making mats and chair backs. It’s not the kind of stop where you’ll spend a long time inside, but it helps you understand why certain areas got settled and used the way they were.

Real talk: if you’re hoping for big views immediately, you might feel like Tabua is more of a cultural warm-up. That’s not bad, but it sets expectations for the early minutes.

Bica da Cana viewpoint: altitude, visibility, and the big-payoff photos

Bica da Cana is one of the best-described stops on the route. It sits around 1580 meters altitude and offers panoramic views over Madeira’s mountain peaks. On days with good visibility, you can also see the São Vicente valley on the north coast.

The stop time is about 15 minutes, which is short but workable if the weather cooperates. Plan to use that time for three things: quick orientation photos, a few angles toward the north coast, and a moment to look past the closest ridges. On Madeira, depth is everything, and at high altitude it’s easier to read the island’s layers.

If you chose this tour mainly for Bica da Cana, treat it like a top priority. The information you have for the day lists it clearly, but your best move is still to ask early with the guide whether the viewpoint is fully scheduled for your departure.

Paul da Serra: why Madeira’s interior matters

Paul da Serra is not just another scenic stop. It’s described as the island’s most important groundwater recharge area, and its planar structure helps rainwater infiltrate the ground while slowing runoff toward the sea.

That’s a useful concept to carry with you as the day continues. Madeira is all steep slopes and short rivers, so seeing a place that acts like a sponge gives you a better explanation for why some areas are so lush and why other parts feel dryer or sharper.

The tour’s stop here also sets the mood: it is a mid-day altitude moment before you go deeper into the forest and coastline.

Fanal in two parts: Posto Florestal Fanal and Vereda do Fanal

One of the main reasons people love this northwestern route is Fanal, described as a magical place with a vast forest of ancient trees. The stop is split into two pieces: Posto Florestal Fanal and then Vereda do Fanal.

At Posto Florestal Fanal, you’re essentially meant to slow down. The stop time is around 15 minutes, and the goal is to relax and take in the trees. If you’ve been moving through town all week, this is the kind of pause that helps Madeira feel like more than road trip scenery.

Then Vereda do Fanal brings you into the laurel forest context. Laurisilva is an outstanding relict forest type, believed to be 90% primary forest, and it holds a unique mix of plants and animals. The details you’ll want to watch for are the endemic species, including the Madeiran long-toed pigeon.

Practical note: since your time is brief, you’ll get more from Fanal if you treat it like a slow “look, breathe, and pick one view” moment rather than a checklist. Even with 15 minutes, the forest atmosphere hits hard if you’re ready for it.

Ribeira da Janela: river valleys meeting the Atlantic

After the forest, the itinerary shifts to water and rock. You stop at Miradouro Ribeira da Janela, then at Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela, then again for Mirador Ilheus Da Ribeira Da Janela. The times listed are about 10 minutes for the miradouro and ilheus stops, and 5 minutes for the final mirador.

This is the “geology in motion” part of the day. The description focuses on the most extensive watercourse formed in the interior of the island as mountains feed it, then it flows down toward the ocean. When you look at this kind of spot, you can start to understand how Madeira carves itself over time.

Is it crowded? Often, yes, because these viewpoints are popular. But quick stop structure is actually useful here. You can grab your angles without losing your whole morning to one single location.

Porto Moniz: the long coast block and optional natural pools

Then you reach the big coastal payoff: Porto Moniz. This part of the route gives you about one hour, which is longer than most stops on the day, and that extra time matters because Porto Moniz is more than a viewpoint.

The description emphasizes volcanic pools, mystical forests, and breathtaking scenery. You’ll also learn something practical about local life: from the beginning of the municipality’s construction, inhabitants relied on fishing, and it still plays an important role in the economy.

After that, there’s Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools with another about one hour. Admission for the pools is listed as not included, with an approximate cost of 3 EUR. If the ocean is calm and you want a hands-on experience, this can be worth it. If your legs are tired or the water feels rough, you can still use the earlier Porto Moniz hour to explore and photograph without buying pool access.

The best way to enjoy this part is to plan for both scenarios. Wear water-friendly footwear if you might go in, but also bring a simple layer for standing near salty wind.

Ponta and sea-in-between stops: Poca das Lesmas and Seixal pools

After Porto Moniz, you move into smaller “between-the-big-stops” moments. You’ll hit Poca Das Lesmas for about 30 minutes. It’s described as a natural charm between sea and mountains, so expect a scenic pause rather than a long guided walk.

Next comes Piscinas do clube naval do Seixal for about 10 minutes. This is described as a good place to take a dip and enjoy the sea while practicing water sports. The time is short, so think of it as a “cool-off and reset” stop more than an all-in swimming session.

If your travel style is photogenic breaks every few locations, these quick moments can be a win. If you need long, slow experiences, you may feel them as frequent transitions.

Veu da Noiva: finishing with a waterfall curtain

The day ends with a water moment that Madeira does very well: Miradouro do Veu da Noiva. The description says it is about 30 meters of a curtain of water running down the mountain into the Atlantic Ocean, reminding brides’ white veils used in traditional marriage ceremonies.

Your stop time is about 10 minutes, so the key is to arrive ready to look from the right angle quickly. This is one of those places where the sound and visual rhythm do most of the work, and a short stop still leaves you with a strong memory.

This final segment is also a nice emotional punctuation. You’ve spent the day on peaks, forest, and coast, and then you close with something pure and vertical.

Price and value: what $82.82 gets you in real day-trip terms

The price is $82.82 per person for an approximately 8-hour full day. Included in the price are all fees and taxes, a local guide, and pickup for Funchal and Caniço. You also get a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English.

Here’s the value check. This tour pays for your time and decision-making. You’re not plotting a driving route, and you’re not juggling where to park or when to turn back. For many first-time visitors, that convenience is the main reason to choose a structured day like this.

But you’re also paying for a specific promise: an open-roof 4×4 experience. On days when conditions are not ideal, that open-roof part may not feel like the marketing photo you had in mind. And since this is a schedule packed with viewpoints, the day can feel more like a fast scenic tour than a true off-road adventure.

So the smart way to judge value is to ask yourself what matters most to you:

• If your top priority is a broad northwest tour with Fanal and Porto Moniz, it can be strong value.
• If your priority is standing in the roof for constant panoramic photography and deep off-road detours, you should verify the day’s plan and set expectations early.

Who this 4×4 northwest day suits best, and who should pass

This is a good fit for you if you want one organized day that covers a lot of Madeira’s northwest character without car stress. It also suits you if you enjoy quick educational context while you travel, like the groundwater role of Paul da Serra and the laurel forest science behind Fanal.

It may be less ideal if your travel style is slow and unstructured. With many stops around 10 to 15 minutes, you’ll spend more time moving than wandering.

It can also be a mismatch if you’re very sensitive to missing a single “must-do” stop. The route includes Bica da Cana by name with a short time window, so if that viewpoint is the reason you booked, confirm it early.

Should you book Green Devil’s Full Day Open Roof 4×4 northwest tour?

Book this tour if you want a tight, guided overview of Madeira’s northwest with Fanal and Porto Moniz as the anchors. The included guide and the pickup from Funchal or Caniço make it easy, and the overall rating of 4.8 with a high recommendation rate suggests most days run as intended.

Skip or re-check your plan if the open-roof experience and a specific viewpoint timing are your non-negotiables. This tour is heavy on scheduled lookouts, so you’ll enjoy it most when you treat it as a scenic itinerary day, not a guarantee of constant roof-open off-road magic.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes getting a first “map of the island,” this is a solid day. If you prefer lots of hours in one place, you’ll probably want a slower plan instead.

FAQ

Is lunch included on this tour?

Lunch is not included. The itinerary does not list a meal stop, so you’ll need to plan for food on your own during the day.

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The tour starts at 8:30am and lasts about 8 hours (approx.).

Where does pickup and drop-off happen?

The meeting point is the Estátua de Cristiano Ronaldo in Funchal, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is available for hotels, Airbnb, and cruise dock free for Funchal and Caniço, with extra fees for other areas listed.

Does the tour include admission tickets?

All fees and taxes are included, and most stops list Admission Ticket Free. Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools are not included, with an approximate cost of 3 EUR.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 50 travelers.