Four-wheel drives change the island fast.

This full-day Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools tour turns Madeira’s north into a real road trip, with 4×4 dirt tracks and dramatic volcanic pool stops. I love how you’re not stuck at big-name lookouts all day, and I like that you get a guide who keeps the pacing moving. One thing to plan for: it’s a long day, and some roads feel rough and bumpy.

I also love the variety of small places tied into the route. You’ll pass through spots like Sao Vicente and Seixal, then get a short walk in the Fanal area (the Laurissilva Forest part of Madeira’s story) before heading to the coast. The standout moment is the chance to swim in the natural lava pools, when conditions let you.

This tour is run by Green Devil Safari, and the guide mix seems like a big part of the appeal. Names like Miguel, Duarte, Philippe, and Spencer show up in the praise, which is a good sign you’ll get more than a list of facts.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Off-road time, not just stops: you’ll actually ride down rugged tracks, not only view from bus windows
• Volcanic pools are the payoff: swimming at Porto Moniz and Poca das Lesmas depends on weather
• Short visit windows: many stops are 5–10 minutes, so bring energy and stay ready to move
• Group size tops out at 50: big enough for fun, small enough to keep the day flowing
• Some entry fees are free, some aren’t: Porto Moniz is free time, while other entries state not included
• Lunch isn’t included: food and drinks cost extra, so plan snacks or budget lunch

A 4×4 Day Across Madeira’s Remote North

This is the kind of tour that makes Madeira feel big, because you’re crossing different “Madeira moods” in one day. You’ll start in the Funchal area and work your way toward the island’s north, where terrain changes and the roads get less polite.

The driving is the main event. Think dirt roads, volcanic coast scenery, and the occasional rocky stretch where you feel the jeep do its job. If you like getting out of the usual tourist loop, this route is a strong fit.

You’ll also get a mix of quick lookouts and a couple longer breaks. The longer blocks land where the views and the water are worth the stop: Porto Moniz (and its lava pools) and Poca das Lesmas.

Price and Value: What’s Included vs. Extra

The tour price is $83.27 per person for about 8 hours. For that, you get a local guide and a driver/guide, plus hotel pickup and drop-off in the Funchal area.

What you should budget for:

• Lunch costs €24.00 per person, and food and drinks aren’t included
• Some entrance fees are listed as free (like Ginjas and Porto Moniz time), while others say admission ticket not included (like Fanal, Ribeira da Janela areas, and the lava pool swim time)

I’d call this good value if you want transportation plus guiding plus the off-road experience. If you hate paying for lunch and extra entry items, you may feel the cost creep.

Pick-Up Timing and How the Fees Work

The day starts at 8:30 am. Pickup is handled at Airbnb, hotels, and the cruise port, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket.

In the Funchal / Caniço area, pickup is free. If you’re staying farther out, there are set extra fees by location:

• €5.00 per person: Camara de Lobos, Estreito Camara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol (center), and the cruise dock/harbour
• €10.00 per person: Machico, Santa Cruz, Camacha, Calheta, São Vicente, plus a few other nearby areas
• €15.00 per person: Ponta Delgada, Faial, Porto da Cruz, Santo da Serra, Jardim da Serra, and Caniçal
• €20.00 per person: Prazeres, Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar, Fajã da Ovelha, Santana
• €25.00 per person: Porto Moniz and Santana

If you’re outside the listed free areas, there may also be an extra fuel tax.

Morning Route: Serra de Água, Encumeada, and Sao Vicente

After pickup, you’ll head into the higher, scenic parts of Madeira. The route includes Serra de água and Encumeada, both of which are the kind of places where the island suddenly feels more mountainous and dramatic. Expect big views as the road climbs and the weather can shift.

Then the tour drops into the northern side with a stop at Sao Vicente (Ginjas). This is a short 10-minute visit with admission ticket free time, so it’s best for a quick stretch, a look around, and grabbing a snack if you need one before the next jump.

From there, you move toward Estanquinhos and then up to Paul da Serra. Paul da Serra is one of those areas where Madeira feels more open and windy, and it works well as a transition before the forest and coast stops.

Paul da Serra and Fanal: Forest Paths on Different Ground

Paul da Serra is where the day shifts again. You’ll have time in the area, and then you’ll head toward Vereda do Fanal (Fanal) for a short walk.

The Fanal visit is listed as about 10 minutes, and admission tickets are marked as not included. Still, it’s a great moment because the setting connects to Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest story, the island’s ancient-looking woodland that feels both quiet and otherworldly.

After that, the tour continues toward the coast. You’ll make quick stops around ribeira da Janela, including:

• Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela (about 5 minutes)
• Miradouro Ribeira da Janela (about 5 minutes)

These are fast, but the coastal viewpoints are the point: you’re seeing the rugged north edge of the island, where water and rock meet with attitude.

Ribeira da Janela and Porto Moniz Natural Pools

Porto Moniz is where the day starts paying off in a more physical way. You get a longer break of about 45 minutes, and the time listed there is admission ticket free.

Then comes the volcanic swimming pools at Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. This is also about 45 minutes, but swimming is only if the weather allows it. That detail matters. If the sea is rough or conditions aren’t right, you may just enjoy the pools from the edges.

This part of the day is a highlight in the praise for a reason: it’s not a staged attraction. It’s the island’s geology turned into a place you can dip into, and it feels very Madeira.

After Porto Moniz, the route continues to Seixal, with more short viewpoint time that keeps the momentum going.

Seixal Stops: Veu da Noiva and Poca das Lesmas

Seixal adds one more change of pace. You’ll stop at Miradouro do Veu da Noiva for about 5 minutes, which is all about the quick payoff view.

Then you’ll head to Poca das Lesmas. The time listed is about 45 minutes, and again, swimming in the volcanic lava pools is only if weather allows. This is a second chance at the water moment, which is great if conditions were mixed earlier.

The overall pattern here is smart: you get multiple chances for the weather-dependent pool experience, instead of betting the whole day on one swim window.

If you want to swim, pack for it like you mean it: a towel, a dry bag, and shoes you don’t mind getting wet. (The tour isn’t advertising a spa day vibe.)

Is This Tour for You? Bumpy Roads, Tight Stops, Real Fun

This tour is best for people who enjoy motion. It’s a full-day drive with off-road segments, and the ride can be bumpy in a rugged, jeep sort of way. If you’re prone to motion sickness or you need very smooth comfort to enjoy a day trip, think twice.

But if you like real terrain and short, efficient sightseeing windows, this works. You’ll spend the morning moving through elevation changes and the afternoon hitting the north coast highlights—without wasting time on slow travel.

Guide personality is a big theme in the praise, too. Miguel, Duarte, Philippe, and Spencer are mentioned as hosts who bring humor and island stories into the driving and stops. That kind of energy matters on an 8-hour day where you’re hopping in and out of a vehicle.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book it if you want a true 4×4 Madeira day with a strong chance of swimming in volcanic pools, plus quick glimpses of several north-side communities in one go. The value is strongest when you treat it as transportation + guiding + off-road access, not just a “viewpoints only” day.

Skip it if your ideal vacation is slow, calm, and mostly flat. The roads can be rough, the timing between stops is tight, and lunch is an extra cost.

If you’re flexible and you like nature-driven stops with real driving involved, this tour is one of the better ways to see Madeira’s north without renting a car.

FAQ

How long is the Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4×4 tour?

It runs for approximately 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup and the tour start at 8:30 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included for the Funchal area. Pickup is also offered at Airbnb, hotels, and the cruise port (cruise dock has an extra fee).

How much extra is pickup from the cruise dock?

Cruise dock pickup costs an extra €5.00 per person.

What’s included in the price?

Included are the local guide and driver/guide, plus hotel pickup and drop-off in the Funchal area. There is also pickup/drop-off for the cruise port with the extra fee noted above.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks aren’t included, and lunch is listed as €24.00 per person.

Are admission tickets included?

Some stops are marked free (for example, Ginjas and Porto Moniz time), while others are marked as admission ticket not included (including the Fanal area and the volcanic pool swim time).

Can I swim at the volcanic pools?

You can swim if the weather allows it at Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and at Poca das Lesmas.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you won’t get the refund.

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