Shore Excursion – East Madeira Peaks & Santana

Madeira rewards a high viewpoint. This full-day 4×4 outing takes you from Funchal toward Machico, Santana, Ribeiro Frio, and Pico do Arieiro, with forest roads and mountain views along the way. I like the mix of scenic stops and off-road driving, and I especially like that the tour uses a small-group format with pickup at the cruise terminal.

The strongest guides, including Lino, Bruno, Diogo, and Spencer Thorpe, have been praised for humor, island knowledge, safe driving, and good storytelling. The main concern is the vehicle seating. Some departures have placed four people on hard rear benches with little room and no seatbelts, so you should confirm the exact 4×4 arrangement before booking.

The quick facts worth knowing

• You reach Pico do Arieiro near the end: The high mountain viewpoint can place you above the clouds, making it one of the day’s most memorable stops.
• The route covers eastern Madeira well: Machico, Portela, Porto da Cruz, Faial, Santana, Ribeiro Frio, and the central mountain heights all appear in one busy day.
• The ride is part of the attraction: You travel in an open-top 4×4, including forest and off-road sections, but seating quality can vary by vehicle.
• Lunch costs extra: Vegetarian and vegan choices are available, though lunch is not included in the $82.21 price.
• Guide quality matters: Lino, Bruno, Diogo, and Spencer Thorpe have each received strong praise for humor, local knowledge, and driving.
• Pickup fees depend on location: Funchal and Caniço pickup is free, while some other parts of Madeira cost an additional €5 to €20 per person.

From Funchal to Machico, the day gets moving

The tour begins around 8:30 a.m., with pickup at your Funchal or Caniço accommodation or at the cruise terminal. The operator confirms the exact pickup time after booking, which matters if you are visiting Madeira from a ship and have a firm departure time later in the day.

The advertised tour lasts about eight hours, though a longer day is possible. One account describes a 10-hour outing, so I would leave plenty of space before your ship’s all-aboard time. The operator offers cruise-terminal pickup and drop-off, but you still need to confirm the timing rather than assume the advertised start will suit your ship schedule.

Machico is the first stop, with about 10 minutes to look around. It is a short introduction rather than a full town visit. You get a quick sense of one of Madeira’s important eastern settlements, then return to the vehicle for the mountain route.

That brief stop works well if you want a broad island tour. It will feel rushed if you hoped to explore Machico on foot. The purpose here is to keep the day moving toward the viewpoints and high country.

Portela and Porto da Cruz bring the first big views

Miradouro da Portela receives about five minutes. This is a classic roadside viewpoint, so expect a fast photo stop rather than a long walk. Keep your camera ready and do not wander far from the vehicle, because the schedule has several more stops ahead.

The short visit is typical of a packed Madeira sightseeing route. You can collect a memorable view quickly, but you will not have much time to study the scenery or wait for changing light. If photography is your main aim, ask the guide whether a little flexibility is possible.

The route also passes through Porto da Cruz. The supplied schedule does not give a separate duration for this stop, so I would treat it as a route highlight rather than count on a long independent visit. This area adds variety to the day, breaking up the drive between viewpoints and the interior mountains.

Faial offers another quick lookout

The Fortress of Faial is listed as a viewpoint with about five minutes. Again, this is a stop for orientation and photographs, not a museum visit or a detailed historical tour. You will likely have just enough time to step out, look across the surroundings, and hear a short explanation from the guide.

This stop shows the tour’s basic rhythm: drive, pause, take in a view, and continue. That format suits me when I want to see a lot of Madeira in one day. It may frustrate you if you prefer slow walks, long café breaks, or time to explore each village on your own.

Santana brings traditional houses and a longer pause

Santana is the heart of the cultural part of the outing. The itinerary gives 15 minutes at the traditional houses and another 15 minutes at Casas Tipicas de Santana. Admission to the first stop is free, while entry to Casas Tipicas de Santana is not included.

Santana is known for its distinctive traditional homes, with steeply pitched roofs and colorful facades. The short visit lets you see the style up close and take photographs, but you should not expect a full town tour. The separate entry charge is worth checking before you go, especially if you are trying to keep the day within the advertised price.

I like this part of the route because it gives the mountain day a human touch. Without Santana, the outing would be mostly about roads and views. Here, you get a quick look at Madeira’s rural building traditions and a change of pace from the open-top vehicle.

The schedule is tight, so listen for the meeting instructions. A late return from a shop or photo stop could cut into the next viewpoint. Guides may also adjust the exact order depending on road conditions and timing.

Ribeiro Frio changes the mood

Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio is listed as a small village and natural park, with free admission. This is one of the more appealing sections for anyone who wants greenery and mountain air rather than only roadside photo stops.

The name refers to a famous balcony viewpoint in the Ribeiro Frio area. The supplied information does not state how long the stop lasts, so you should ask the guide whether the visit includes time to walk to the viewpoint. Do not assume that a full hike is part of the tour.

That distinction matters. An organized 4×4 day can show you many corners of eastern Madeira, but it cannot give every stop the time of a dedicated walking excursion. If you want a longer trail experience, ask before booking. If you want a taste of the area without arranging transport yourself, this stop adds real value.

Pico do Arieiro is the day’s high point

The final listed stop is Pico do Arieiro, with about 15 minutes at the viewpoint. At roughly the highest point reached on this route, the view can feel dramatic, especially when cloud sits below the summit. One particularly strong description of the outing praises the moment when the vehicle climbs above the clouds.

Weather controls this stop more than the printed schedule does. Mountain cloud can hide the views, and conditions may change quickly. Still, the chance to reach Pico do Arieiro without arranging a separate mountain transfer is a major reason to choose this tour.

Fifteen minutes is enough for photographs and a quick look around. It is not enough for a serious hike. The tour should not be confused with a Pico do Arieiro walking trip or the full route toward Pico Ruivo. You are buying access to a high viewpoint as part of a wider island circuit.

Bring a layer even if Funchal feels warm. The information supplied does not promise any special equipment, and the open vehicle can feel exposed on mountain roads. Comfortable shoes are sensible, particularly if you walk even a short distance at Ribeiro Frio or the viewpoints.

The 4×4 ride can make or break the day

The open-top 4×4 is a central part of the appeal. Forest roads, mountain bends, and off-road sections give the outing more character than a standard coach trip. The vehicle places you closer to the air and scenery, and the small format can make it easier to chat with the guide and the other people in your group.

The operator advertises groups of up to eight, while the general activity information allows a maximum of 24 people. In practice, the day may involve several jeeps traveling together. One account describes a convoy of five vehicles, with different seating layouts among them.

This is the key point to settle before you pay. Some jeeps have proper individual seats, while others have rear benches facing each other. A serious complaint described four people crowded onto hard benches at the back, without seatbelts, on steep and winding roads. That is not a minor comfort issue. It affects safety, visibility, and the basic quality of a full-day excursion.

I would contact Green Devil Safari and ask three direct questions:

• How many people will be in my specific vehicle?
• Does every passenger have an individual seat and seatbelt?
• Can I avoid rear-facing or hard bench seating?

The answer may depend on the vehicle assigned that day, but asking gives you a better chance of avoiding an unpleasant surprise. If you are older, have back problems, or simply need a secure seat, make this your first question.

The guide can turn a busy route into a good day

Guide quality appears to be one of the tour’s biggest strengths. Lino has been praised for humor, local knowledge, and playful interaction with the group. Bruno is also named as a strong guide. Diogo receives especially warm comments for making the day fun and explaining the island.

Spencer Thorpe has also been praised for his knowledge of Madeira, safe driving, and ability to explain the island in German. That does not mean you will receive one of these guides, but it shows how much the personality and skill of the driver can shape the outing.

The best version of this trip is social. You share the vehicle with other people, stop often, and spend much of the day listening to the guide while moving through the mountains. Several positive accounts describe plenty of laughter and a friendly atmosphere.

The weak version depends on poor communication. One unhappy account describes a driver who did not clearly explain where the group was going or what it was seeing. If explanations matter to you, ask questions during the first part of the day. A good guide should be able to tell you what each viewpoint shows and why it matters.

Lunch, cost, and what the $82.21 buys you

At $82.21 per person, the price is reasonable if you want transport, a driver-guide, and a full eastern Madeira route without renting a vehicle. You also avoid the work of planning mountain roads, parking, and the order of stops.

Lunch is not included, so add that to your real budget. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, which is useful if you need a meat-free meal, but confirm the arrangement with the operator. A positive account describes the midday lunch as excellent, though the supplied price details do not include it.

You may also pay a pickup supplement if you are outside the free pickup zone. Funchal and Caniço are free. Pickup from Machico, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, or the cruise harbor costs €5 per person. Camacha, Santo da Serra, Jardim da Serra, Calheta, Caniçal, and São Vicente cost €10. Ponta Delgada, Faial, and Porto da Cruz cost €15, while Santana and several western or southern towns cost €20.

Those fees can change the value calculation. The tour makes the most financial sense when you are staying in Funchal, boarding a cruise ship there, or traveling with a small group that values shared transport.

Group discounts may help, but the exact discount is not provided. Ask for the total price before confirming. The booking includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refundable.

Who should book this Madeira excursion?

I would choose this tour if you want to see many parts of eastern Madeira in one day, enjoy mountain roads, and prefer a guide to independent driving. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction, cruise passengers with a full day in port, and people who like a social outing rather than a private itinerary.

It is also a good fit if you want Santana and Pico do Arieiro but do not want to organize several separate transfers. The combination of coastal and mountain stops gives you more variety than a single viewpoint trip.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed spacious seating, dislike bumpy roads, or want long walks at each stop. The schedule is active, the stops can be brief, and the vehicle setup needs confirmation. I would also look elsewhere if your main aim is a serious hike or a slow visit to Santana.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour begins around 8:30 a.m. Pickup is offered in Funchal and Caniço, including pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately eight hours. A longer day is possible, so you should allow extra time before any ship departure or later appointment.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is described as a small-group outing with up to eight people, while the general activity information gives a maximum of 24 participants. Several 4×4 vehicles may travel together.

Are entrance fees included?

Most listed stops have free admission. Entry to Casas Tipicas de Santana is not included.

Is cruise-terminal pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal are offered, with a €5 per person charge listed for the cruise dock or harbor.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

My booking verdict

Book it for the route, the mountain views, and the chance to reach Pico do Arieiro while also seeing Santana and eastern Madeira. The guides can add real charm, and the open-top 4×4 makes the roads part of the adventure.

Before booking, get written confirmation about your seat, seatbelt, vehicle size, and pickup fee. If Green Devil Safari can guarantee a proper individual seat, this is a strong value for an active full-day island tour. If they cannot, choose a vehicle-based excursion with fixed seating instead.