A day of off-road fun on Madeira’s north side. This max 8-person 4×4 tour links major viewpoints with time to swim in Porto Moniz natural pools and Poças das Lesmas, plus a few short hikes where you’re walking near a levada. The only real drawback to plan for is that the open-top jeeps and the bumpy dirt roads can feel intense—especially if you’re sensitive to rough driving.

I like that it’s built for real time outdoors: lots of stops, each one broken into small chunks (around 10 minutes at many viewpoints), so you’re not stuck in transit all day. I also like the hands-on guiding approach—clear, talkative guides are part of why people feel the day flows well, with enough time to actually enjoy each place. Your main consideration: lunch isn’t included (it’s optional for an extra €16 with beverage), so you’ll want to either budget for it or bring snacks.

Key things you’ll actually care about

• Max 8 travelers means easier photo stops and less crowd pressure at viewpoints and pool areas
• Open-top 4×4 round-trip from Funchal hotel keeps the day moving without long transfers
• Natural swimming in volcanic pools at Porto Moniz and Poças das Lesmas (warm-ish water vs the open Atlantic)
• A mix of short scenic stops and short walks, including time near a levada channel
• The day is guided in English, and the driver/guide experience shows in pacing and explanations
• A small extra cost may come up for the Porto Moniz natural pool area (listed as nearly €3)

Why an 8-Person Porto Moniz West 4×4 Feels Different From Big Tours

This is the kind of Madeira day trip that stays human. With a maximum of eight attendees, you’re less squeezed during viewpoint stops, and the guide can actually slow down when the group wants photos or a quick photo walk.

You also get round-trip transit from your Funchal hotel in an open-top 4×4. That matters because Madeira’s north coast viewpoints aren’t just “drive up and look”—you need the right vehicle for the rougher road bits, and you need time on the ground once you get there.

One more note I’d plan around: the ride can be bouncy on unpaved sections. One group felt the driving pace on the off-road parts was too quick and a bit nerve-wracking, especially toward the back where standing can be harder. If you’re the type who hates motion, bring your calm brain and strap in for a lively ride.

Your Day at a Glance: From Serra de Água to Porto Moniz

The trip is designed like a chain of short “go-see” moments. You start in the Serra de Água area, then move toward passes and viewpoints over the north coast, with a couple of villages and high points before finishing at the Porto Moniz coast.

There are at least two built-in swim moments: one at Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and another at Poças das Lesmas. Along the way, you get mini breaks for photos, plus short walk segments where you’ll often be near a levada—those historic water channels Madeira is famous for.

Expect an 8-hour day (approx.). Many stops are around 10 minutes, so it’s not a “one long hike all morning” style tour. It’s more like a sequence of scenic hits, then time to cool down in the sea.

Serra de Água: Mills, Water, and Why This Parish Matters

Serra de Água starts the day with a strong sense of how Madeira’s early economy worked. The name comes from a historical watermill used for sawmilling, later applied to the whole parish. In other words, you’re not just looking at a pretty area—you’re standing in a place that helped power day-to-day life for the island’s first settlers.

You’ll get a short stop (about 10 minutes) here. That brevity is intentional. It gives you context without dragging the schedule, and it sets up the later “water and views” theme of the day—passes, levadas, and the north coast’s wet climate.

Practical tip: this early stop can be a good time to spot sun vs cloud. If the weather looks changeable, you’ll appreciate being outdoors early enough to adjust your plan for swims later.

Miradouro da Encumeada: The 1004-Meter Pass View That Worths the Turn

Next comes Miradouro da Encumeada, reached by a road crossing the 1004 m high pass. The viewpoint sits above a valley route that links the south coast (starting around Ribeira Brava) up toward Serra d’Água, where the island’s first water-power station was located.

This stop is about 10 minutes, but it’s the kind of viewpoint where those 10 minutes feel worth it because you’re getting views over both the south and north coasts. That cross-island perspective is one reason I like this tour: it teaches you Madeira’s scale fast.

If you’re a photographer, this is a place where you might want to step a little away from the group for cleaner lines. Just don’t go wandering without a sense of where your jeep will pick you back up.

São Vicente and the Old Manor Houses: Viticulture Left Its Mark

At São Vicente, you’re in a village region known for older manor houses tied to viticulture (wine-growing). These estates date back to the 18th century and were built as two-level structures: the lower floor focused on the winepress and agricultural tools, while the upper part was the more “noble” living area, reached via an outdoor staircase.

You get a short stop (about 5 minutes). It’s not enough to do a deep museum-style experience, but it’s perfect for understanding why the north coast doesn’t just look rugged—it also reflects how people built wealth from the slopes.

This part of the route is also a nice pacing break. After passes and viewpoints, you get something more human-scaled—houses, streets, and the village vibe.

Paul da Serra and the High Plateau: Views at Around 1640 Meters

Then you climb to Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra, described as the highest point of the Paul da Serra plateau area—around 1,640 metres. On clear days, you can see both coasts, which makes this one of those “Madeira is huge” moments.

Your stop here is about 10 minutes. Again, short on paper, but the payoff is big because altitude changes everything: light looks different, clouds move faster, and you get a sense of open space you don’t always get from the coastal towns.

One more detail that helps you enjoy this stop: the tour mixes quick viewpoints with walking sections later in the day. So even if you don’t feel like doing a long hike, you still get the sense of “getting up high” without exhausting yourself.

Vereda do Fanal and the Levada-Edge Walking You’ll Remember

The day’s most “nature-feeling” stretch includes time on Vereda do Fanal. Parts of the trail are open, giving you wide views. Other segments are covered by Laurissilva forest—dense, lush, and cooler—so the walk shifts from exposed to shaded pretty quickly.

You also get a walk style that’s very Madeira: a lot of the route runs alongside a levada, often with water present nearby. That’s a big deal because it connects the scenery to the island’s real engineering—water management that shaped where people could live and grow crops.

The stop is listed as about 10 minutes, plus additional time for viewpoints along the way. You’ll likely do short segments rather than a full long trek, which is why this tour stays accessible for most people.

If you want to fully enjoy this section, wear shoes with grip. Even short trails can get slick if it’s damp, and the forest can hold onto moisture.

Ribeira da Janela Viewpoints and Ilhéus: Where the Sea Meets Rock

After the forest-and-walk portion, the route shifts toward the north coast drama.

You’ll reach Miradouro Ribeira da Janela, where viewpoints highlight the valley of Ribeira da Janela and Chão da Ribeira. This is another about 10-minute moment, and it’s all about watching how the land drops toward the sea.

Then there’s Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela, described as three high rocks near the mouth of the island’s longest river. You can watch the formation from the beach area. You get about 10 minutes here too, so it’s a quick but memorable “volcanic rocks meet ocean” stop.

This set of viewpoints is also valuable because it helps you understand Madeira’s north coast isn’t just one style of scenery. You’re seeing river valleys, cliff lines, and sea-rock shapes in a compressed time window.

Porto Moniz: Promenade Time, Fortress Area, and Natural Pool Access

At Porto Moniz, the tour becomes more “coast day” than “viewpoints day.” You’ll head to the area with the promenade running from the Madeira Aquarium zone toward the natural seafront pools, plus a garden with ocean views, a children’s playground, and nearby restaurants.

You get about 10 minutes at Porto Moniz in the main stop sequence, which is enough time to orient yourself and decide where you want to spend more time once the swimming begins.

The natural pool complex is the centerpiece. You’re going to Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, where volcanic rock basins are filled with crystalline oceanic salt water. The water is often warmer than the open Atlantic because it’s in a protected natural basin, and circulation helps keep conditions pleasant. Sometimes you can encounter bigger waves too, so it’s not always perfectly calm.

This pool time is listed as around 45 minutes, and it notes a small price—about €3. Plan for that if you want maximum time in the water.

Poças das Lesmas and Seixal Pools: Second Swim, More Shelter

After Porto Moniz pools, the day offers another great swim option: Poças das Lesmas. These are volcanic natural pools that are described as crystal-clear and more sheltered. The place also includes a bar and toilet/shower facilities, which makes it easier to stay comfortable without rushing.

This stop is listed as about 20 minutes. That shorter time makes sense because you’re fitting two swims into a full 8-hour day. Still, it’s long enough to dip, rinse, and enjoy the quiet feel of a pool that doesn’t feel like a crowded beach.

There’s also an extra coast-note tied to the Seixal area: a natural black sand beach at Porto do Seixal next to the harbour is mentioned as having stunning scenery, and one key review highlights views of waterfalls flowing into the Atlantic from that beach area. You’ll also find reference to an unsupervised beach with toilet facilities, showers, and a bar nearby at Clube Naval do Seixal Pools, plus a nearby natural pool area with sun loungers.

Because the tour’s schedule is tight, think of this part as “enjoy the view and take a short swim if you can.” It’s not framed as a long beach hang.

Price and Logistics: Does $83 Make Sense?

At $83 per person, you’re paying for a full day with an open-top 4×4, a driver/guide, and local taxes included. You’re also getting the main value: transport that lets you reach north-coast spots that would be annoying or difficult by normal buses or rental car routes.

Most listed stops are admission ticket free, which helps you avoid “gotcha” expenses. Your potential extra costs are mainly lunch and possibly the Porto Moniz pool access fee (listed as nearly €3).

Lunch is optional: you can get lunch with beverage for €16 per person. If you hate the idea of paying extra, bring snacks and plan to eat where the promenade has restaurants—just keep in mind the tour keeps you moving.

Pickup is from your Funchal hotel, and round-trip transit is part of what you’re buying. If you’re staying outside Funchal city, there are extra pickup charges listed for several areas (for example, €5 for many places like São Vicente, Machico, Santa Cruz, and Ribeira Brava, and €10 for spots like Porto Moniz and Caniçal). If your hotel is outside the city, double-check the exact surcharge before you lock it in.

The Guide Makes the Difference (Nelson, Juan, Spencer, and Good Pacing)

What really comes through in the experience isn’t just the route—it’s the guide style. Multiple guides by name are mentioned as professional and communicative, including Nelson, Juan, and Spencer, with praise for explanations and for making sure each stop gets enough time.

That matters for this tour because you’re on a tight schedule. If the driver rushes the group, the views turn into quick look-and-go moments. When pacing works, you actually get to enjoy the viewpoint, take photos, and still make it to swim time.

One practical thought: if you’re sensitive to motion or standing in a moving jeep, it’s worth being mentally ready for the off-road segments. One review points out the driver could have been slower and that overtaking made some people feel uneasy. You can’t control the road, but you can control your expectations and where you place yourself in the vehicle.

Who Should Book This 4×4 North Coast Tour (and Who Might Think Twice)

This is a strong match if you want Madeira’s north coast nature without spending your day figuring out parking and bus transfers. You’ll enjoy it if you like short walks, want scenic viewpoints, and you’re specifically excited about natural swimming pools.

It’s also a good choice for people who want an active day but don’t necessarily want a long strenuous hike. The walk segments are presented as short, and the rest is a mix of scenic stops and cool-down swims.

It may be less ideal if:

• You’re prone to feeling carsick or you dislike rough open-air rides
• You want guaranteed calm water every time (natural pools can get waves)
• You don’t want to pay any extras (lunch and pool access may add small costs)

Children are allowed, but must be accompanied by an adult. So if you’re bringing kids, think about swim time and how long they can stand in line waiting to enter pool areas.

Should You Book the Porto Moniz 4×4 West Tour With Green Devil Safari?

If your goal is a fun, efficient day that mixes off-road access, multiple north-coast viewpoints, and real swimming in natural volcanic pools, I think this tour is a solid yes. The small group size and the way the day is paced—short stops, then real time to enjoy the water—make it feel like it’s built for people on vacation, not people trying to “check boxes.”

Book it if you want the best chance of seeing a lot of north-coast highlights without renting a car. Skip it (or at least approach it carefully) if you’re sensitive to bumpy driving or you hate the idea of optional extras like lunch.

FAQ

How many people are on the Porto Moniz 4×4 West tour?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers, so it stays small-group sized.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 8 hours (approx.).

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, with round-trip transit from your Funchal hotel via an open-top 4×4 vehicle.

What if my hotel is outside Funchal city?

There are extra pickup charges for areas outside Funchal city. The listed fees include €5 per person for many locations (including São Vicente, Machico, Santa Cruz, Ponta do Sol, Calheta, Ribeira Brava, and Ribeira Brava-area options) and €10 per person for places like Caniçal, Porto Moniz, Santo da Serra, and Ponta Delgada.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. It can be provided for an extra €16 per person (beverage included).

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Do I need a printed ticket?

No. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

Are there admission fees at the stops?

The itinerary lists Admission Ticket Free for most stops. The Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools note an approximate €3 cost.

Can children join?

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.