Madeira’s north coast looks unreal in a day. This private tour strings together Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and dramatic viewpoints with a local guide, Roberto, who keeps the day moving at a comfortable pace and makes photo breaks actually work.

I love the way the stops feel practical, not rushed: you get real time to look, walk, and even swim where it’s possible. I also like that you’re set up for photos with included GoPro pictures, plus Roberto takes shots you can’t easily get on your own.

One thing to consider: it’s a long driving day, and many stops are brief. If you hate getting in and out of the car, plan to add extra time later for your favorite beach or pool area.

Key things I’d plan around

• Roberto’s energy and photo help: you get guidance, timing, and photos you likely wouldn’t manage solo.
• Natural pools with swim time: Porto Moniz and the nearby lava-rock pool areas are built for lingering.
• Cabo Girão Skywalk views: huge cliff height with a glass walkway focused on scenery, not shopping.
• A route that covers the island’s sides: the plan moves from the south to north, with views and quick breaks along the way.
• GoPro pictures are included: less stress, more keepers for your camera roll.
• Lunch is on you: there’s time for food on your own, but it’s not part of the price.

A north-coast circuit that feels like a photo scavenger hunt

This is the kind of Madeira day that makes you feel like you’re seeing the island from inside a postcard. You start in Funchal, then head along the island to hit cliff viewpoints, tidal lava pools, and black-sand beaches. It’s private, so the rhythm is set for your group—not a bus full of strangers.

What makes it work is the balance of walking and payoff. Some stops are quick look-and-shoot moments. Others are built for a slow approach, like the natural swimming pools where you can spend real time in the water. And because it’s private transportation with a private guide, you can actually enjoy the scenery instead of spending the day “figuring it out.”

Price and what you get for $110.78 per person

At $110.78 per person, this isn’t the cheapest option on Madeira. But it’s also not “pay extra for nothing.” Your price covers all fees and taxes, private transportation, a private guide, and pickup/drop-off in the Funchal area. It also includes GoPro pictures, which is a genuinely useful extra if you want fewer selfies and better angles.

The one clear miss is food. Lunch and drinks aren’t included, so you’ll want a plan for at least one meal break. The good news: there are plenty of chances to grab something locally during the day, including a well-timed poncha stop at the end.

Starting in Funchal: pickup, meeting point, and how the day begins

The tour starts at Funchal Cable Car, on Av. do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses, 9060-190 Funchal. Pickup/drop-off is included for the Funchal area, so you don’t need to wrestle with buses or figure out parking.

The private setup matters more than people expect. When you’re bouncing between viewpoints and coast areas, the time you save on logistics is the time you get back for walking, photos, and the few minutes that make a place feel special.

Câmara de Lobos: colorful boats and poncha culture

The first stop is Baía de Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village known for colorful boats and its local culture. This is an easy start: a short stroll around the bay, with the sea doing most of the work for your photos.

You’ll also hear about poncha, Madeira’s traditional drink, which becomes more than a background detail later in the day. It’s a nice early touch because it gives the island a flavor beyond scenery.

Time on this stop: about 30 minutes.

What to do: walk the bay, grab a few photos quickly, then be ready to move—this tour doesn’t linger too long until the bigger stops.

Cabo Girão Skywalk: the cliff that makes your phone feel small

Next up is Cabo Girão, famous for the Skywalk. The cliffs are around 580 meters above sea level, and that height shows immediately once you’re at the viewpoint.

The glass walkway is the main draw, but what you’re really paying for is perspective. You see the coastline, the direction of the island, and the shape of the mountains around Funchal. Even if you don’t love engineered attractions, the views here are the point.

Time on this stop: about 30 minutes.

Tip: bring a phone strap or secure your camera—wind can be part of the experience up on cliffs.

Ribeira Brava: sea views plus the 3.1 km tunnel moment

When you cross from Madeira’s south to the north, you’ll pass Ribeira Brava. This stop mixes viewpoint time with one of the island’s big infrastructure stories: the second biggest tunnel in Madeira, at 3.1 km long, crossing through the Encomeada mountain.

This isn’t a long walk stop. It’s more about breaking the drive with a view and a quick sense of how the island connects.

Time on this stop: about 40 minutes.

Ponta dos Lesmes / Seixal natural pools: lava-rock tidal swimming zones

Now you start getting into the day’s signature theme: volcanic lava-rock tidal pools. The stop is Póca das Lesmas, part of the Seixal natural pools area. You’ll do about a 10-minute walk to reach it.

What I like about these pools is the texture. You’re not just looking at water—you’re surrounded by dark rock shapes and natural arches carved by tide and time. It’s dramatic and very Madeira.

Time on this stop: about 50 minutes.

São Vicente: surf vibes and the Água D’Alto Waterfall

In São Vicente, the tour aims at two things: the island’s surf culture and a roadside waterfall break. You get a stop focused on the best surf spot in Madeira (as the tour frames it), and then you’re positioned near Água D’Alto Waterfall, about 3 meters from you.

This is the kind of stop that changes the mood fast. One minute you’re reading waves in the distance; the next you’re close enough to feel water in the air.

Time on this stop: about 30 minutes.

Seixal: Veu da Noiva waterfall views, even if the road is broken

The tour also includes the famous Veu da Noiva (Bride’s veil) Waterfall area, but with a reality check: the old E.R. 101 road has collapsed, so the waterfall isn’t fully accessible. You can still see it from Seixal.

This is actually helpful for your expectations. You’re not buying a promise that you’ll walk right up to everything. Instead, you’re getting the viewpoint version—still worth it if the waterfall is on your list, just without the hiking fantasy.

Time on this stop: about 20 minutes.

Praia do Seixal: black sand, a short walk, and possible swim time

Next is Praia do Seixal, Madeira’s well-known black-sand beach. The idea here is simple: walk on volcanic sand toward a small waterfall and enjoy the scene.

And yes, you can swim here, so bring beachwear if you want the most out of this day. This stop is where the tour turns from “look and shoot” into “get your feet wet.”

Time on this stop: about 45 minutes.

Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela: rock formations right by shore

Ribeira da Janela is known for dramatic coastal formations you can see near the waterline. This isn’t a long beach day. It’s a short, satisfying stop for rock shapes and shoreline views that feel wild and natural.

Time on this stop: about 30 minutes.

Porto Moniz natural pools: the day’s biggest payoff

If there’s one stop that anchors the whole tour, it’s Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. This is the area you’ll remember later because it’s both scenic and practical: natural pools, clear views, and a setting where you can relax without needing to chase a schedule.

The tour frames Porto Moniz as mandatory either for beauty or for the iconic swimming pools. I agree with the logic: the pools are a signature Madeira experience, and it’s also a decent place to fit a food stop during your time there.

Time on this stop: about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Velhas natural pools: older paths and calmer water time

After Porto Moniz, you go to Piscinas Naturais Velhas, described as the oldest natural pools in the area. This adds a different feel. You walk around the pool area along an older footpath through crystal-clear water, and it’s also possible to swim.

This stop helps the day avoid the “same thing, again” feeling. It’s related, but the approach and vibe are different from the main Porto Moniz pools.

Time on this stop: about 40 minutes.

Taberna da Poncha: finish with the drink, not the scramble

To close the tour, you head back toward Funchal and stop at Taberna da Poncha to try poncha. This is a nice way to end because it ties back to Câmara de Lobos earlier—without needing another long lecture.

Time on this stop: about 45 minutes.

What makes this tour worth it (and what could be annoying)

Here’s the honest tradeoff.

What’s great:

• You get a lot of the island’s “coast drama” in one day, without dealing with navigation.
• The private guide helps you time photo moments and move efficiently.
• The natural pools aren’t treated like quick photo backdrops; they’re given time.
• The included GoPro pictures reduce your stress and help you actually document the day.

What might feel like a compromise:

• With a route packed with stops, each place gets limited time. If you fall in love with one beach or pool area, you might want to return later on your own.
• Lunch isn’t included, so you’ll spend some of your day making food choices.

Also, because this is a weather-dependent experience, you should expect that rain or rough conditions can affect timing and comfort around coasts and cliffs.

Who should book this private Madeira day

This tour fits best if you:

• want a single-day plan that covers the north-coast natural pool areas and viewpoints,
• like having a guide handle logistics and photo timing,
• want the option to swim in natural pools and at a black-sand beach,
• are traveling as a couple, family, or small group and prefer private transportation over public schedules.

It may not be ideal if you:

• dislike driving days or want long stays at fewer stops,
• only want one single activity (like just swimming) with no sightseeing mix.

Should you book Natural Pools and Waterfalls?

I think it’s a smart booking if you want maximum Madeira “wow” in one stretch of time. The route hits the kind of places that are hard to string together neatly on your own, and it includes the kinds of extras that matter: private transportation, a local guide, and photo help through GoPro pictures.

Book it if you’re the kind of traveler who likes moving from view to view, then slowing down when the natural pools start. Skip it only if you know you’ll want more time than this itinerary allows at a single beach or if you’re not comfortable with a full-day schedule that includes frequent stops.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Natural Pools and Waterfalls private tour?

It runs about 6 to 8 hours.

Is pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for the Funchal area. If you’re outside Funchal, you’ll need to contact the provider.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour, meaning only your group participates.

What language is the guide?

The tour is offered in English.

What does the price include, and is lunch covered?

The price includes air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, a private guide, all fees and taxes, GoPro pictures, and pickup/drop-off in Funchal. Lunch, food, and drinks are not included.

Are entrance tickets included for the stops?

The tour information lists admission tickets as free for the listed stops.

Are GoPro pictures included?

Yes. GoPro pictures are included in the tour.

Can I swim during the tour?

You can swim at the natural pools areas and there is also swim time at Praia do Seixal (bring beachwear if you want to take advantage).

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the Funchal Cable Car (Av. do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses, 9060-190 Funchal) and ends back at the meeting point.