Shore Excursion – Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4×4 tour

Madeira’s northwest is best seen from a high-sided 4×4, and this full-day trip takes you far beyond Funchal’s usual viewpoints. You’ll cross mountain roads, pass quiet villages, walk beside a levada, enter the island’s UNESCO-listed native forest, and finish near black volcanic rock and Atlantic surf. The open-top vehicle gives you broad views, though it also leaves you more exposed to wind and weather.

I like two things right away: the small-group format, which is capped at eight people in the 4×4, and the wide mix of scenery packed into one day. Guides including Diogo, Spencer, and Valdemar are praised for their driving, good humor, and explanations of Madeira’s people, nature, and wildlife. The main consideration is time. With roughly 15 stops over eight hours, some visits are quick, and lunch and cruise-terminal pickup should be confirmed because the published details conflict.

Key points to know before booking

• A full northwest circuit: Serra de Água, Encumeada, São Vicente, Paul da Serra, Fanal, Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz, and Seixal all appear in one long day.
• Open-top 4×4 travel: You get better views and a more adventurous ride than in a standard van, but bring a light layer for changing mountain weather.
• A short levada walk: The Paul da Serra section includes about 15 minutes of walking, giving you a taste of Madeira’s famous irrigation paths without committing to a long hike.
• Two possible swimming stops: Porto Moniz and Poça das Lesmas offer volcanic pools when weather and conditions allow, with admission not included.
• Small group, personal guiding: The 4×4 is limited to eight people, while the overall activity maximum is listed as 24.
• Check the practical details: Pickup is listed for Funchal-center hotels, while the tour is described as a cruise excursion. Lunch is described both as included and not included, so ask before paying.

Why this 4×4 route is a strong way to see northwest Madeira

I like this trip because it shows Madeira as more than a collection of postcard viewpoints. The day moves from steep interior valleys to high moorland, ancient-looking forest, rocky coast, and natural swimming pools. You get a sense of how quickly the island changes once you leave Funchal.

The 4×4 matters here. Several of the stops are reached by mountain roads, and sitting higher gives you a better view over bends, ravines, and the sea. An open roof also makes the ride feel more like a proper island outing than a standard transfer. The tradeoff is that the vehicle offers less shelter from sun, wind, and rain.

The small group is another real advantage. With up to eight people in the 4×4, the guide can explain what you are seeing without addressing a large crowd. Diogo is described as a confident driver who explains each stage of the route. Spencer is praised for his knowledge of the island and for talking about local people, nature, and animals. Valdemar is described as attentive, funny, and detailed in his explanations. Guides can vary, of course, but the trip depends heavily on having someone who can handle both the roads and the commentary.

From Serra de Água to Encumeada

The route begins around Serra de Água, one of Madeira’s interior mountain areas. This is a useful opening because it puts you into the island’s steep terrain early in the day. You can expect mountain views and a sense of the narrow valleys that shape Madeira’s interior.

Next comes the Caminho Real da Encumeada, identified as PR12. This historic route area near Encumeada provides another high mountain stop, with time for views and a short break rather than a major hike. The itinerary does not promise a long walk here, so you should think of it as a scenic visit, not a trekking day.

These first stops also show why an early start at 8:30 a.m. helps. The day has many planned pauses, and the route covers a large part of the island. If you want relaxed time at every viewpoint, this may feel brisk. If your aim is to sample the northwest in one shore day, the pace makes sense.

São Vicente, Bica da Cana, and Paul da Serra

The trip continues toward São Vicente, with a brief 10-minute stop at Ginjas. That short pause may suit you if you prefer a moving tour rather than long waits, but it will not allow much time for wandering. The itinerary also includes Bica da Cana at Estanquinhos, another high point connected with the interior route.

Paul da Serra changes the mood again. This broad high plateau is unlike the tightly folded valleys below, and the stops at Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra and Levada do Paul da Serra give you a chance to see Madeira from a more open setting. The names can be confusing: Pico Ruivo is the island’s famous high peak, while this stop is identified with the Paul da Serra area. Do not assume this excursion takes you to the summit of Pico Ruivo.

The levada portion is especially useful for first-time visitors. You get roughly 15 minutes on a levada walk, enough to understand how these narrow water channels and paths fit into Madeira’s scenery without needing hiking gear or a full-day trek. I would wear shoes with a secure sole, since even a short walk is more pleasant when you are not worrying about your footing.

Fanal forest and the road toward Ribeira da Janela

Vereda do Fanal brings you into Madeira’s native forest, a UNESCO-listed area and one of the most atmospheric parts of the route. The visit is listed as about 10 minutes, so expect a quick look rather than an extended forest walk. That limited time is the clearest example of the tour’s compromise: you see many places, but only a few in depth.

Fanal is also one of the stops where weather can change the mood completely. In clear conditions, you can appreciate the old trees and open surroundings. In mist, the setting may feel more dramatic, but visibility can be limited. The tour cannot guarantee a particular atmosphere, and the open-top vehicle means you should bring a rain layer even if Funchal is sunny.

The route then reaches Ribeira da Janela, including the river area, the Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela, and the Miradouro Ribeira da Janela. The two named viewpoint stops are listed at about five minutes each. That is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not for a long coastal walk.

This section works well for people who want variety. You see mountain country, forest, a river valley, offshore rock formations, and sea views without having to organize separate transport. It is less suited to anyone who wants to sit quietly at one viewpoint for half an hour.

Porto Moniz and its volcanic swimming pools

Porto Moniz is one of the day’s main coastal stops, with about 45 minutes in the area. The town is known for volcanic rock and natural seawater pools formed where lava meets the Atlantic. The separate stop at Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools also allows about 45 minutes, and swimming is possible if weather permits.

Admission to the pool is not included. That is important because the price of the tour does not cover every activity along the way. Bring swimwear and a towel only if you are comfortable with the weather and want to use the pool. The swimming option is conditional, so do not book this day solely for a guaranteed swim.

Porto Moniz is a practical lunch point, too, but the supplied details disagree about lunch. The overview says lunch is included, while the included-items section says lunch is not included. Ask Green Devil Safari to confirm exactly what your $71.72 covers, and budget for your own meal if the answer is unclear.

The price is attractive for an eight-hour excursion that includes a driver-guide, a small 4×4 group, hotel pickup in central Funchal, and a route across much of the island. It becomes an even better deal if lunch is included and if you value seeing several regions in one day. If lunch, pool entry, and cruise-terminal transfers are extra, the final cost will be higher than the headline amount.

Seixal, Poça das Lesmas, and Véu da Noiva

After Porto Moniz, the route heads to Seixal and Poça das Lesmas. Poça das Lesmas is another volcanic pool stop, again with swimming dependent on weather. Admission is not included, and the visit is listed at about 45 minutes.

Having two possible pool areas gives you flexibility. If conditions are poor at one stop, the coastal scenery still remains part of the day. If the sea is calm and the weather cooperates, you have a second chance to enjoy a swim. Still, do not count on both pool visits becoming long swimming sessions. The tour has a fixed route and must continue through several other stops.

The final viewpoint is Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, near Seixal, with around five minutes scheduled. This is a quick photo stop, not a formal visit or walk. The name refers to the waterfall dropping toward the coast, and the viewpoint gives you one last look at Madeira’s dramatic meeting of mountain and sea.

The coastline is often the payoff for the day’s long drive. You have already crossed high country and forest, so the black-rock shore feels like a new chapter rather than just another overlook. If you have a fear of heights, the sea cliffs may feel intense. The tour is best for you if you enjoy seeing places from viewpoints and do not need every stop to be slow and leisurely.

What the pace, group size, and transport mean for you

An eight-hour route with about 15 listed stops is ambitious. Some stops have 45 minutes, but others last only five or ten minutes. You should expect frequent getting in and out, quick photographs, and short explanations rather than long independent visits.

That pace is useful during a cruise stop. You can cover much more ground than you could by local bus, and a driver who knows the roads can handle the route while you look outward. It also reduces the risk of spending your entire port visit in one area.

The vehicle is described as an open-top 4×4, with a small group of up to eight. The overall activity maximum is listed as 24, so the exact arrangement may depend on how many vehicles are running that day. The small 4×4 group is the figure that matters for comfort and conversation, but I would confirm the vehicle assignment if that is important to you.

Pickup is listed as free from hotels in central Funchal. Because this is sold as a shore excursion with cruise-terminal pickup and drop-off, you should confirm the exact meeting point before the day of departure. Do not assume that a hotel pickup automatically means the same pickup applies at the cruise terminal.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want a broad first look at Madeira and prefer a guide to handle the driving. It suits couples, families with children accompanied by an adult, and anyone who likes scenic stops more than long hikes. The short levada walk gives you a taste of one of Madeira’s signature activities without taking over the day.

It is also a good fit for people who enjoy a bit of motion and changing scenery. The guide accounts praise the fun atmosphere, and the 4×4 format should feel more lively than a regular coach. Diogo, Spencer, and Valdemar are specifically associated with strong driving and friendly explanations, though your guide may be someone else.

I would think twice if you need guaranteed swimming, a slow schedule, or a quiet vehicle. Weather can affect the pools and mountain views, and the number of stops means you will not linger everywhere. The open top is a plus on a clear day but less appealing in rain or cool mountain air.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4×4 tour?

Book it if your priority is coverage. For $71.72 per person, you get a long guided loop through Madeira’s northwest, a small 4×4 setting, several famous viewpoints, a short levada walk, Fanal forest, villages, and two possible volcanic-pool stops. That is a strong package for a cruise day.

Before booking, confirm three points: cruise-terminal pickup and return, whether lunch is included, and how much time your group will have at the pools. If those details work for you, this is a lively and efficient way to see parts of Madeira that are difficult to cover independently in one day. If you want depth rather than range, choose a shorter tour focused on one area instead.

FAQ

How long does the 4×4 tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where does pickup take place?

Free pickup is listed for hotels in central Funchal. The experience is also described as a shore excursion with cruise-terminal pickup and drop-off, so confirm the exact cruise-terminal arrangements before booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The 4×4 group is listed as up to eight people. The overall activity maximum is listed as 24 people.

Is lunch included?

The supplied details conflict. The overview says lunch is included, while the included-items section says lunch is not included. Confirm this directly with Green Devil Safari before booking.

Can I swim in the volcanic pools?

Swimming is possible at the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and Poça das Lesmas if weather conditions allow. Admission to both pool areas is not included.

Is pool admission included in the price?

No. Admission is listed as not included for the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and Poça das Lesmas.

Is there a hike during the tour?

The route includes a levada walk of about 15 minutes at Levada do Paul da Serra. Several other stops are short viewpoint visits rather than long walks.

Can children join the experience?

Yes. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.