Madeira by 4×4 hits different heights fast. This day tour strings together levadas, big plateau views, and misty UNESCO forest, then ends with ocean-side natural swimming spots.

I really like how the route balances easy sightseeing with nature you can actually feel up close. Serra de Água and Tabua put you on green irrigation trails and quiet villages, while the guide adds context so stops feel connected, not random.

One thing to consider: the coastal pool stops at Seixal can be risky. At Poço das Lesmas, follow the safety guidance closely and skip swimming if conditions look even a little off.

Key points to know before you go

• 4×4 comfort for steep roads: you’ll be able to reach high viewpoints and remote areas faster than a standard bus route.
• Paul da Serra plateau time: views from Bica da Cana and open moorland vibes at Paul da Serra.
• Fanal in the Laurisilva forest: the mossy, fog-friendly setting is exactly where a dramatic day happens.
• Porto Moniz natural swimming pools: volcanic rock + ocean water, great for a quick stop or a longer break.
• Seixal and safety at Poço das Lesmas: it’s unforgettable, but you need to treat it seriously.
• Guides who keep it fun: Jorge and Lino are praised for being lively, which matters on a full 8-hour day.

A Madeira 4×4 day that actually changes all day long

This tour works because it doesn’t “do one thing all day.” You start in the inner valleys with streams and levadas, then you rise to the big plateau, then you drop into forest and finally end at the coast. The result is a lot of visual variety, without it feeling like you’re sprinting from place to place.

You’ll be hopping between Madeira’s key ecosystems: agricultural hillsides, high moorland (Paul da Serra), and the Laurisilva forest in the northwest. And because it’s a 4×4-style excursion, those changes are easier than they’d be with limited public transport.

If your idea of a great day in Madeira is scenery plus a little education, you’ll enjoy the pacing here.

Getting started from Funchal: a full day begins early

The tour starts at 8:30 am and runs about 8 hours. Pickup is offered free for people staying in the Funchal center and Caniço de Baixo, and other areas may have an extra pickup/drop-off fee.

That matters because you’re not just paying for a ride. You’re paying for time. Less time figuring out buses or parking means more time at the viewpoints and natural spots that are scattered across the island.

You’ll also have a mobile ticket, which keeps things simple once you’re in Funchal.

Serra de Água and Tabua: where levadas make the walk feel local

Your day begins with two nearby parishes in the Ribeira Brava area: Serra de Água and Tabua. Serra de Água is named for water, and you’ll see why once you’re in that valley of steep hills and frequent streams. The levadas here are more than irrigation channels. They’re part of the way locals live, and they also create walking routes that give you strong valley views.

Tabua, also in Ribeira Brava, sits on a plateau above sea level. That elevation shift is subtle on paper, but you’ll feel it in the views and the way the air changes as you move through the area. Tabua is smaller, and that quietness is part of what makes it a good early stop.

What I like about this opening section is that it gets you thinking about Madeira’s “water story.” Levadas aren’t a theme park feature. They’re infrastructure that shaped farming and routes, and the scenery is the payoff.

Potential drawback: these are shorter stops (around 30 minutes each where listed), so if you want long hikes, you’ll need to save that for another day.

More Tabua and Candelária: agriculture on terraces and rural calm

After Serra de Água and Tabua, the tour keeps you in the Ribeira Brava rhythm with more time around Tabua. Even with multiple mentions, the intent is clear: give you repeat chances to absorb the valley feel and the levada system rather than treating it as a single “photo stop.”

Later you head to an area associated with stunning ocean views and rural terraces: Candelária in Ponta do Sol. This is where the story of Madeira’s agriculture comes through. The terraces, traditional houses, and local farming shapes are part of the view, not just background.

Practical thought: these early stops are the best time to get your bearings. By the time you reach the plateau later, you’ll understand what you’re looking at much better.

Paul da Serra plateau: Bica da Cana and the high, windy scale

Then you climb to one of Madeira’s biggest surprises: Paul da Serra. It’s the largest and highest plateau, around 1,400 meters on average, and unlike the island’s steep valleys, it’s flatter and more open. That difference is huge. Instead of narrow ravines and walls of green, you get rolling moorland, wind, and a wider horizon.

The tour gives you time at several key moments:

• Lombo do Mouro: a mountainous area with rugged terrain and panoramic valley views.
• Levada do Paul da Serra: moorland scenery where wind turbines appear, with endemic species and biodiversity being a big part of why people come.
• Bica da Cana: a viewpoint on the plateau with sweeping Atlantic views.

One detail I appreciate is how the tour uses viewpoints like Bica da Cana as checkpoints. You’re not just driving through high ground. You stop long enough to see how the island breaks into north and south coasts when the sky is clear.

Potential drawback: weather matters more up here. If fog rolls in, visibility can drop fast, and that can change the experience from breathtaking panorama to quiet, misty mood. That’s still worth it, but manage expectations.

Fanal and the Laurisilva UNESCO forest: fog turns it into theater

Next comes Fanal, famous for its ancient, moss-covered trees in the Laurisilva forest, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is one of those places where the weather doesn’t ruin the experience. It creates it.

The tour schedules Fanal and a related stop called Posto Florestal Fanal. Both are built around the same idea: slow down in the forest and let the light and fog do the work. When mist descends, the mossy Tilia trees become almost fairytale-like, with shifting light patterns that can look different minutes apart.

This section is a strong choice if you want Madeira that feels remote and quiet. You’re not at a viewpoint with a crowd. You’re in a forest environment, and the air feels cooler than at lower elevations.

Potential drawback: because the vibe depends on fog and light, bring a willingness to enjoy “changeable” conditions. If you’re the type who needs clear-sky photos, you might feel frustrated.

Ribeira da Janela to Porto Moniz: window rocks and volcanic sea stops

The tour then shifts toward Madeira’s northwest coast, with a chain of stops based around Ribeira da Janela. This area is known for rock formations that protrude from the sea and resemble windows, which matches the name (Janela means window in Portuguese). There’s also a stream tied to these formations, and the timing and views help you understand how water and rock work together here.

You’ll see multiple related stops in this area, including:

• Ribeira da Janela
• Praia da Ribeira da Janela
• Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela
• Mirador Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela
• Miradouro Ribeira da Janela

That looks like a lot, but the intent is smart. Instead of one rushed photo stop, you get several perspectives on the same key geology: sea-carved rocks, forest edges, and the way trails run alongside water.

Then you arrive in Porto Moniz, a municipality that’s known for agriculture and tourism, with a strong link to traditional practices and levadas. The day still keeps the “water theme,” but it turns more recreational with the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools.

These pools are volcanic rock basins shaped by the sea. They’re the kind of place where you can feel the island’s geology without needing a museum.

Potential drawback: pool areas can be slippery and can change with sea conditions. If you plan to swim, treat it like an outdoor adventure, not a hotel pool.

Seixal and Poço das Lesmas: one of the best views, one of the biggest safety notes

After Porto Moniz, the tour heads to Seixal, where a specific stop is Poço das Lesmas (Snail’s Well). This natural pool sits on a rocky coastline, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and greenery. The appeal is obvious: ocean water in a contained setting, with a very Madeiran vibe.

There’s also time at Praia do Porto do Seixal, described around the same Poço das Lesmas swim experience. The vibe is less about swimming laps and more about enjoying the natural setting.

Here’s the important part. There has been an incident at Seixal involving people going for a swim and being swept into the sea. They made it back to shore, but it’s a clear signal: the ocean here can move fast, and conditions can turn dangerous.

My advice: if the guide advises against swimming, listen. If you do swim, keep it cautious, stay close to safe edges, and do not go in beyond your comfort level.

Véu da Noiva and São Vicente: waterfall drama, then a calmer town

The tour caps the natural hit with Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, the Bride’s Veil waterfall area near São Vicente. The waterfall is named for its shape as it cascades down rugged cliffs. This is a great stop to feel the power of rain-fed Madeira when it’s flowing.

Then you go to São Vicente, a town in a valley framed by mountains. It’s the kind of place where your senses shift from “look at the rock and water” to “slow down and breathe.” You’re given time to take in the calmer setting and reset after the driving and viewpoints.

Even if you’re not a big town wanderer, the São Vicente stop helps the day feel complete instead of ending abruptly.

Price and value: what you pay, what you might still pay

The tour price is listed as $81.62 per person, and it runs about 8 hours. That’s decent value for a 4×4-style day because it includes a local guide, pickup in key areas (Funchal center and Caniço de Baixo), and all fees and taxes.

That said, there are items listed as not included. You may see extra charges depending on where you’re picked up from or whether you have specific cruise-related fees. For example:

• €5.00 cruise dock fees for certain ports/areas
• €10.00 for Calheta, Machico, São Vicente…
• €15.00 for Ponta Delgada, Camacha, Santo da Serra, Jardim da Serra, Caniçal
• €20.00 for Porto Moniz and several other areas

If you’re staying in or near Funchal center, you’re likely to keep it straightforward. If you’re elsewhere on the island, it’s worth double-checking your exact pickup/drop-off fee before you book.

Lunch is also not included (listed as 24 euros). With a full day and multiple short stops, having money set aside for food is smart.

The best part here is the guide-led flow

This isn’t a “watch from the bus window” type of day. A good guide makes the difference because the stops are spread out and you’re bouncing between very different terrain.

In the reviews tied to this tour, Jorge is praised as knowledgeable and great fun, and Lino is credited with amazing knowledge and superb driving. That pairing matters. When you’re dealing with steep roads, plus quick viewing windows, good driving and good storytelling keep the whole day enjoyable.

Also, because this is a maximum of 40 travelers, it stays feeling like a real small group day rather than a mass tour.

Who should book this 4×4 tour

You’ll probably love it if:

• you want a high variety day across valleys, plateau, forest, and coast
• you like viewpoint stops and short breaks where you can step out and look around
• you’d rather have a guide connect the dots than plan four separate outings

You might skip it if:

• you want only one focused activity, like long hiking or beach time
• you need lots of guaranteed swimming time (the sea conditions and safety advice matter)
• you get stressed by a packed schedule with multiple short stops

Should you book Green Devil Safari’s Beyond Madeira 4×4 tour?

If you’re visiting Madeira and want one day that gives you a true sense of the island’s vertical variety, I’d book it. The route hits levada areas, Paul da Serra high ground, UNESCO Laurisilva at Fanal, and natural sea pools that feel distinctly Madeiran.

Just go in with the right mindset: this is a scenic drive-and-stop day, not a slow village amble. And if you’re tempted by Seixal swimming, treat safety as non-negotiable.

If that matches your style, this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Beyond Madeira 4×4 tour?

The tour is about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 8:30 am.

What’s the price per person?

The price is listed as $81.62 per person.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is free for hotels/Airbnbs in the Funchal center and Caniço de Baixo. Other areas may require an extra pickup/drop-off fee.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is listed as 24 euros.

Is there a guide, and what language is it in?

A local guide is included, and the tour is offered in English.

Are tickets or entry fees included?

Admission tickets at the listed stops are free, and the tour includes all fees and taxes. However, some cruise dock and area charges are listed as not included, so the exact total can depend on where you’re picked up from.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 40 travelers.

Does the tour include time at natural pools and sea spots?

Yes. It includes Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and Poço das Lesmas (Seixal), along with several nearby coastal areas.

What if my plans change?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.