Mist plus engines plus sea pools. It works.

This full-day Madeira 4×4 safari is interesting because you bounce from high plateau to Atlantic coastline in one long loop, then add the wow factor of ancient laurel forest and volcanic scenery. I love the off-road drive that makes the day feel like a real Madeira road trip, and I love how the route mixes viewpoints with actual stops, so you are not stuck staring out the window the whole time. One thing to consider is that you can hit fog and cold air near Fanal, and the ride is not luxury-comfort.

Green Devil Safari runs a pickup-based day that starts in the morning (8:30 am) and lasts about 7 to 8 hours. You get a local guide, English support, and a maximum group size of 40, which keeps the pace moving without feeling like a cattle line. In plain terms, this is a nature-and-views day with short photo breaks, a few village stops, and the option to swim in Porto Moniz natural pools if you want.

As you plan, think about what matters most to you: if you want long hikes and hours at one beach, this might feel a bit fast. If you want the northwest highlights plus some off-road fun, it is a strong value at about $72.68 per person, especially since many stops are free and you have pickup built in.

Key takeaways before you go

• 4×4 route, not just a bus tour: you will get that jarring, fun off-road Madeira feel.
• Fanal Forest can be foggy and colder: bring a warm layer or a poncho for the misty moments.
• High plateau viewpoints at Paul da Serra: you get the big-sky feeling from around 1,400 m.
• Volcanic coastline variety: Porto Moniz pools, Seixal black sand, and São Vicente caves in one day.
• Short stops, big variety: great if you like hopping between sights, less great if you hate rushing.

4×4 pickup from Funchal and the fast rhythm of the northwest loop

You start from the meeting point at the Estátua de Cristiano Ronaldo area in São Martinho, and the tour begins at 8:30 am. If you are staying in Funchal center or Caniço, pickup is free. If you are coming from other areas, there can be a pickup fee, and the cost depends on where you are picked up.

Expect the day to feel structured and quick. Most stops are around 10 to 30 minutes, which means you will get the highlight, take photos, and move on. That rhythm is the whole point of a 7 to 8 hour “northwest highlights” tour: you trade long lounging for variety.

The group is capped at 40 travelers, and the tour is offered in English. You also get a mobile ticket, and it is set up to be easy to find a guide in the morning. In past outings with Green Devil Safari, guides have included Luis Castro, Octavian, Tiago, and Edward, and the common thread has been clear local explanations plus a relaxed, safe feel during the off-road sections.

Fanal Forest and Vereda do Fanal, misty laurel trails and quick photo time

Stop here if you want Madeira at its most fairy-tale-like. Vereda do Fanal and the Fanal Forest area are part of a centuries-old laurel forest, with towering trees coated in moss and ferns. The air feels cooler under the canopy, and the light can look almost unreal when the sun breaks through.

Your scheduled time is short (about 30 minutes total across the Fanal area stops), so you want to be ready to walk a bit and shoot quickly. Paths are there for exploring, but this is not a half-day hike. It is a “get in, look around, take the photos, then move on” stop.

Here is the practical note: the forest area can come with fog and a temperature drop. I would pack a warm layer even if the coast is sunny. If you get caught in mist, a poncho is often more useful than a heavy jacket since you can move easily and stay dry for the next viewpoint.

Paul da Serra plateau, Levada do Paul da Serra and Pico Ruivo viewpoints

After the forest mood, the day shifts into open-air views. Paul da Serra is a high plateau, around 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) above sea level, and it is Madeira in its wide, quiet form. You get rolling hills, open vistas, and that “Atlantic is right there” feeling.

You will have several brief stops connected to this plateau area, including Levada do Paul da Serra, plus viewpoint time around Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra. These are typically only about 10 minutes each, so treat them as quick lookouts rather than long walks.

Still, this is a key part of the tour because it changes your perspective. Madeira is known for cliffs and deep valleys, but the plateau gives you a different scale. You can also appreciate why people hike here: the plateau has a network of trails and viewpoints that can lead to hidden lakes or waterfalls, but the tour version keeps things short so you can fit in the coastline later.

If you like photos, keep your camera ready for changing light. On the plateau, visibility can shift fast, and the whole vibe depends on fog or sun.

Serra de Água and Tabua, small villages that slow the pace

Between the high ground and the coast, the itinerary includes a couple of village-style breaks where you can reset.

Serra de Água is a village in the Ribeira Brava area, surrounded by green mountains and the Ribeira Brava valley. The name fits what you will likely notice in the area: “mountain of water.” The setting is tied to cascades, natural springs, and clear streams, which makes it feel fresh and cooler than the hotter coastal zones.

Then there is Tabua, also associated with Ponta do Sol. This is more of a laid-back neighborhood stop, with a promenade vibe and traditional Madeiran touches. Think of it as an easy mental shift from hiking mode into strolling mode.

Also on the route is Bica da Cana in the Paul da Serra region, a remote spot with dramatic rock formations and wide views. If you want “one more view” time without turning it into a hike, this kind of stop fits well.

The time per stop stays short, but these breaks help the day feel balanced. You get variety without feeling like you only sprint from one lookout to the next.

Ribeira da Janela viewpoints and pebble beach time

On the northwestern side, the tour hits Ribeira da Janela, including viewpoints and quick beach time.

Ribeira da Janela is known for its dramatic cliffs and the Atlantic rolling in below. The name is tied to a river feature that meets the sea, and the area adds lush vegetation around rocky scenery. You also get a stop connected to the pebble beach, where you can relax, cool off, and possibly swim or snorkel if conditions are right.

One detail I like about this portion of the day is the “viewpoints first, beach second” order. When the coast is clear, the lookouts do the heavy lifting. When it is cloudier, the water and cliff shapes still give you strong photos.

Your time is brief at each spot, so keep expectations realistic. This is not a long beach day, but it is enough to feel the north coast character.

Porto Moniz natural pools, the main swimming option and why timing matters

Then comes the star for a lot of people: Porto Moniz.

You will reach the town and also spend time around the famous Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, which are formed by volcanic lava rock and filled with crystal-clear seawater. The setting is dramatic, with rugged rock edges and ocean energy all around, and it is one of the most iconic ways to swim in Madeira without needing a boat.

The schedule includes time in Porto Moniz and then additional time specifically tied to the natural pools area. Total time across the Porto Moniz stops is roughly around an hour or so, with parts of it likely overlapping or flowing into each other.

Important cost note: the natural swimming pools admission is not included. So while the tour gets you there, you should plan for a small extra fee if you want to swim. I would also plan for queues and crowding. Even if you skip the pools, Porto Moniz still works as a rest stop with coastal views.

If you like walking, the area connects to levada-style paths such as the Levada do Moinho trail mentioned in the tour description. With your time limited, you might only sample a small stretch, but even a short walk along that kind of path can make the pool stop feel less like a theme-park moment.

Seixal, Poca das Lesmas black sand, and Véu da Noiva views

After Porto Moniz, the tour shifts to Seixal, and this is where the volcanic side of Madeira gets dramatic fast.

Poca das Lesmas is known for a rare sight in Madeira: black sand. The volcanic origin colors the sand, and the contrast against clear water is a big part of the photo appeal. There are also natural swimming pools nearby carved by wave action, which can be a nice alternative if you do not want to pay for Porto Moniz pools.

The itinerary also focuses on waterfalls around the Seixal area, including Miradouro do Véu da Noiva (Bride’s Veil). The waterfall drops from a stream and can be seen from viewpoints reached by walking paths or roads. You do not need a long hike to catch the effect from the lookouts, and you get multiple angles of the waterfall theme during the stop sequence.

One practical tip: bring your lens wipes and a light layer. Waterfall areas can be misty, and coastal wind is real. If the weather flips from sunny to foggy, viewpoints can disappear quickly, so be ready to shoot fast when you see a clear moment.

São Vicente, caves underground wonder and volcanic valley atmosphere

Near the end of the loop, you get to São Vicente, a town set in a volcanic valley with cliffs and lush mountain views nearby.

The big attraction listed here is the São Vicente Caves, formed by volcanic activity long ago. These are lava-tube style caves, and the tour description notes features such as lava pools and stalactites. Your time is about 20 minutes for the São Vicente stop, which likely means a quick visit or an exterior look depending on how the operator manages entrances and timing.

Even if you skip the cave visit, São Vicente fits the day well because it adds a different texture. You are done with “just coast” and “just forest,” and now you are thinking about Madeira’s geological engine.

The tour description also mentions the nearby Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for ancient laurel trees and waterfalls. With limited time, you probably will not be doing a deep hike here, but the area helps connect what you saw earlier in Fanal with the bigger idea of Madeira’s protected forests.

What you really get for about $72.68, and what might cost extra

At around $72.68 per person, this tour is built for value. A big chunk of the stops are marked as admission free, and the package includes all fees and taxes plus a local guide. Pickup is also part of the value for people staying in Funchal center and Caniço.

The not-included parts are also clear, and you should treat them as the budget line items to plan for. Lunch is not included, so you either eat before pickup, pack a snack, or plan to grab something on your own during gaps near towns.

There can also be extra costs depending on where you are picked up from. The operator lists pickup fees for various areas like Camacha, Santo da Serra, Jardim da Serra, Calheta, Caniçal, and even São Vicente. If you are staying outside the Funchal and Caniço zone, ask your provider what fee applies to your specific neighborhood.

Finally, Porto Moniz natural pool admission is not included, and that one is the most likely “surprise” cost for people who were counting on a swim.

Comfort, timing, and packing so the day feels easy

This is a full day in a 4×4, meaning you should expect real off-road driving. That is fun, but it also means comfort is practical, not plush. One past note tied to this style of tour is that the vehicles can get older over time, so you may feel more bounce than a modern rental.

The best packing plan is simple:

• A warm layer or poncho for Fanal fog and cold air
• Swimsuit and a towel or quick-dry option if you want Porto Moniz or Seixal water time
• Water and snacks, since lunch is not included
• Shoes you can handle on short walks and uneven ground

Also, be ready for weather shifts. Madeira can go from sun to mist fast, especially on higher terrain. Your photos will depend on quick conditions, so dress for that.

Who should book this 4×4 Northwest tour, and who should skip it

This day is ideal if you want:

• Off-road thrills without planning your own driving loop
• A strong dose of northwest highlights in one go
• A mix of forest, plateau, villages, and volcanic coastline
• Photo stops with lots of scenery variety, not one long activity

Skip it if:

• You want to stay in one place for hours and take it slow
• You hate short stopovers and prefer slower pacing
• You are very sensitive to cold fog and won’t pack a warm layer

If you are the type who enjoys “see more of the island” days, this tour fits your style.

Should you book the Funchal to Porto Moniz and Fanal 4×4 day?

Yes, I would book it if you are coming to Madeira for the highlights and you want the northwest’s biggest hits without doing two days of logistics. The value is strong because you get a guide, many free admission stops, and hotel pickup, all wrapped into a route that would be time-consuming to build yourself.

But if you are hoping for long, calm hikes and long beach time, adjust expectations. This is a 7 to 8 hour highlights loop, and the best part is variety, not slow pacing.

FAQ

How long is the full day 4×4 tour?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours.

What time does the tour start and where is the meeting point?

The start time is 8:30 am, and the meeting point is the Estátua de Cristiano Ronaldo on Av. Sá Carneiro 27, São Martinho, 9000-017 Funchal.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available. It is free for hotels and accommodations in Funchal center and Caniço, while other areas may have a pickup fee.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes all fees and taxes and a local guide. Pickup is also included as described for Funchal center and Caniço. A mobile ticket is provided.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

Do I need to pay for swimming at Porto Moniz?

The Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools admission is listed as not included, so you should plan for an extra fee if you want to swim there.

How big are the groups?

The maximum group size is 40 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.