Shore Excursion – Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4×4 tour

Madeira rewards getting off the main road. This full-day 4×4 trip takes you from Funchal into the island’s northwest, where you can expect mountain passes, a short levada walk, remote villages, waterfalls, sea cliffs, native forest, and volcanic swimming pools. I especially like the small-group 4×4 format and the chance to reach places that are awkward to visit on a standard coach tour.

The tour also benefits from strong guiding. Diogo, Spencer, and Valdemar are each praised for good driving, local knowledge, humor, and clear explanations. My main caution is the pace: fifteen stops in about eight hours means some visits are brief, and the weather may decide whether swimming is possible. There is also conflicting information about lunch, so you should confirm exactly what is included before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Open-top 4×4 travel: You ride in a vehicle designed for mountain roads and rougher routes, with an open roof that should give you better views.
• A short levada walk: The Paul da Serra section includes about 15 minutes on a levada path, a good introduction to Madeira’s famous water channels without committing to a long hike.
• Fanal and Madeira’s native forest: The route reaches the UNESCO-listed forest area around Fanal, one of the most distinctive natural settings on the island.
• Two possible swimming stops: Porto Moniz and Poça das Lesmas both offer volcanic pools, but swimming depends on weather and sea conditions.
• A busy but varied day: Fifteen listed stops cover mountains, villages, forest, waterfalls, viewpoints, coast, and pools. Expect a full schedule rather than long stays at each place.
• Flexible cancellation: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Why this northwest route is worth your cruise day

Madeira is compact on a map but difficult to understand from the lower coastal roads alone. The island rises quickly into steep mountains, and the northwest has a rougher, quieter character than the busy center around Funchal. This excursion gives you a broad look at that side of Madeira in one day.

I like the way the route changes scenery repeatedly. You begin in the interior around Serra de Água and Encumeada, climb onto the high plateau of Paul da Serra, pass through forest and mountain villages, then drop toward the coast at Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz, and Seixal. You are not simply driving to one attraction and back.

The open-top 4×4 matters here. You should have a more direct view of steep slopes, cloud-covered ridges, roadside waterfalls, and the sea. It also makes the ride feel more like an island outing than a standard transfer. The tradeoff is exposure to sun, wind, and possible rain, so bring a light waterproof layer and sun protection.

The vehicle is described as a small-group experience for up to eight people, although the general activity information gives a maximum of 24 participants. I would read that as a small vehicle or small operating group, with the possibility that several vehicles run on the same day. If having no more than eight people in your vehicle matters, confirm it directly with Green Devil Safari.

Serra de Água and the road toward Encumeada

Serra de Água is the first listed stop. This interior valley is a useful opening to Madeira’s mountain country, with roads that quickly leave the flatter, more built-up parts of Funchal behind. There is no admission charge, and the stop is more about the setting and the drive than a formal attraction.

Next comes Caminho Real da Encumeada, near Encumeada. The old royal roads of Madeira connect mountain communities and provide a sense of how difficult island travel once was. The experience does not promise a long walk here, so you should not expect a major hiking section. Instead, this part gives you high mountain views and a taste of the island’s older routes while your guide explains the terrain and local life.

A good guide can make these early stops count. One of the strongest details from the guide feedback is the way Spencer explains the people, plants, and animals of Madeira while driving. Diogo is also praised for handling the vehicle confidently and explaining each part of the journey. On a route with many short stops, that commentary helps connect the scenery rather than leaving you with a string of names.

São Vicente, Bica da Cana, and Paul da Serra

The tour then moves through the São Vicente area, including Ginjas. This is a chance to see a less polished side of Madeira, with smaller communities and mountain roads away from the main resort areas. The listed stop is only about ten minutes, so treat it as a quick look rather than a village visit with time for a long wander.

Bica da Cana, near Estanquinhos, brings you higher again. Paul da Serra is Madeira’s large upland plateau, and the open terrain feels very different from the narrow valleys below. At Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra, you may get wide views across the plateau and toward the surrounding peaks, although cloud can change the view quickly in the mountains.

The high elevations are one reason to dress in layers. Funchal may be warm when you leave, while Paul da Serra can feel cool, windy, or damp. You will enjoy the 4×4 more if you are prepared for changing conditions instead of assuming the whole day will feel like a beach outing.

The 15-minute levada walk at Paul da Serra

The Levada do Paul da Serra section is one of the most useful parts of the day for first-time visitors. Madeira’s levadas are irrigation channels with paths beside them, built to move water across the island’s steep terrain. Here, you get roughly 15 minutes to walk beside one.

That length is a good compromise for a shore excursion. You can see how a levada works and enjoy a short walk without risking a long hike that could make you late returning to the ship. I would still wear shoes with a secure sole, since the route may feel uneven or damp.

Do not book this tour expecting a serious hiking day. The walk is short, and the larger value comes from the changing scenery around it. If your main goal is a lengthy levada hike, a dedicated walking tour would suit you better. If you want a brief introduction between vehicle stops, this is a sensible addition.

Fanal Forest and the short stop at Vereda do Fanal

Fanal is among the most memorable places on this route. The area is part of Madeira’s UNESCO-listed native forest, and the old trees give the setting a strange, timeless feel. Mist can make the forest seem even more dramatic, though weather also affects visibility and comfort.

The stop at Vereda do Fanal is listed at about ten minutes, with admission not included. That is a short window for such a distinctive place. You may have enough time for a quick look and photographs, but you should not expect a long forest walk or a quiet hour under the trees.

This is an important example of the tour’s basic rhythm. You cover a great deal of ground, but some places are brief introductions. I like the variety, yet you should choose another tour if you prefer slow visits with plenty of time at each site.

Ribeira da Janela and its coastal viewpoints

The route drops toward Ribeira da Janela, one of the northwest’s most scenic coastal areas. The itinerary includes the river area, the Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela, and Miradouro Ribeira da Janela. These stops focus on rock formations, cliffs, ocean views, and the meeting point of mountain and sea.

The two listed five-minute stops are clearly photo breaks. You can get out, take in the view, and return to the vehicle without a long walk. The exact experience will depend on the weather, but this is where Madeira’s steep coastline becomes especially clear.

I appreciate that the route includes several viewpoints rather than sending you straight to Porto Moniz. You get a better sense of how the coast is shaped, and the stops break up the drive. The downside is that the schedule leaves little room for lingering. Keep your camera ready and listen for your guide’s instructions about when to return.

Porto Moniz and the volcanic swimming pools

Porto Moniz is the main coastal highlight for many people. The town is known for natural pools formed by volcanic lava, where seawater fills basins among dark rock. The tour allows about 45 minutes in Porto Moniz and another 45 minutes at the natural swimming pools, with pool admission not included.

This is where the excursion becomes weather dependent. Swimming is allowed only if conditions permit, and the information specifically says the weather must allow it. Bring a swimsuit if you want the option, but do not treat a swim as guaranteed.

The two 45-minute blocks sound generous, but you should remember that one may include changing, walking, and finding the pool entrance. Since admission is extra, carry a way to pay for it. The supplied information does not state the admission price, so check locally rather than assuming it is covered by the tour fee.

Porto Moniz works well for a shore excursion because you can enjoy the coast without arranging a separate transfer. Still, the swimming stop may not satisfy someone who wants a long, relaxed pool visit. You are sharing the day with many other stops, so the experience is more of a sampler.

Seixal, Poça das Lesmas, and Veu da Noiva

The drive continues to Seixal, another northwest coastal area with dramatic cliffs and volcanic shoreline. Poça das Lesmas is another possible swimming point, also weather dependent and not included in the admission. The listed 45 minutes give you time to consider a swim or simply look around the rocks and sea.

Having two pool options is useful. If conditions are unsuitable at one location, the other may offer a different setting, though the tour does not promise that either will be open for swimming. Again, bring a swimsuit only as an option, not as the central reason to book.

The final viewpoint is Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, near Seixal, with about five minutes allowed. The name refers to a waterfall dropping toward the coast, and the stop is designed for a quick view and photograph. Five minutes is enough for a roadside viewpoint if the group moves promptly, but it is not enough for a walk or extended time by the waterfall.

The guide can make or break this kind of day

A long 4×4 excursion depends heavily on the person behind the wheel. The strongest feedback centers on three guides: Diogo, Spencer, and Valdemar. Diogo is praised for confident driving and explaining the route. Spencer is credited with discussing Madeira’s people, nature, and animals. Valdemar is described as attentive, entertaining, and detailed.

That matters because many stops are short and some roads are the main attraction. A guide who can explain what you are seeing turns a drive through mountain country into a more useful introduction to Madeira. The comments also describe the mood as fun for both children and parents, with the group atmosphere adding to the day.

You should still remember that guide quality can vary from one departure to another. The named praise gives you a good sign, not a promise that every guide will have the same style. If you prefer quiet sightseeing, the cheerful 4×4 approach may feel energetic. If you enjoy conversation and a bit of road-trip spirit, it should suit you well.

Price, timing, and the lunch confusion

At $71.72 per person, this is a competitive price for an approximately eight-hour shore excursion with a driver-guide, vehicle transport, and pickup arrangements. You are paying for access to a wide route that would be difficult to cover independently during a single cruise stop. The value is strongest if you want mountain and coast in one day rather than only a town visit.

The start time is 8:30 a.m., and the tour provides pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal. Free hotel pickup is also offered in central Funchal. Because cruise timing matters, give yourself a clear return buffer even though the tour is designed as a shore excursion.

The lunch information needs checking. The overview says lunch is included, but the inclusion list says lunch is not included. I would not assume a meal is covered, and I would ask Green Devil Safari to confirm before paying. If lunch is not provided, budget for it and ask how much time is set aside for eating. The supplied itinerary does not identify a restaurant or meal location.

Admission to the volcanic pools and Fanal is also not included. Those extra charges may be modest, but they affect the final cost. The tour remains reasonably priced, yet it is only a clear bargain once you know the lunch and entrance details.

Who should book this 4×4 excursion?

I would choose this trip if you want a broad first look at Madeira and prefer scenery over museums or shopping. It suits cruise passengers who want an organized day, families who enjoy an active vehicle ride, and anyone who wants to reach the northwest without renting a car.

It is especially good for you if you like:

• Mountain roads and sea cliffs
• Short walks rather than full-day hikes
• Local villages and less polished parts of the island
• Forest, waterfalls, viewpoints, and volcanic pools in one outing
• A guide who talks about local life and nature

I would think twice if you dislike winding roads, changing weather, open vehicles, or a tightly planned day. The tour also may not fit you if your priority is a long swim, a serious levada hike, or spending most of the day in one place.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity information says most people can participate. No more detailed accessibility information is provided, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator about the vehicle, walking surfaces, and stops before booking.

My final verdict: a strong full-island sampler

I would book the Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4×4 tour if this is your main day in Madeira and you want variety. The combination of Paul da Serra, Fanal, Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz, Seixal, and the short levada walk gives you a much fuller picture of the island than a simple Funchal shore visit.

The tour’s best qualities are its route, open-top vehicle, small-group feel, and guides who appear to bring real energy and local detail. Its weaknesses are the compressed timing, weather-dependent swimming, extra admission charges, and unclear lunch policy.

Confirm the lunch arrangements, ask whether your vehicle will hold eight or more people, and wear layers with sturdy footwear. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time if your plans change, since cancellations inside that window are not refunded. With those details settled, this is a practical and lively way to see Madeira’s northwest in one cruise day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. Pickup and drop-off are offered at the cruise terminal, and free hotel pickup is available from hotels in central Funchal.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts approximately eight hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $71.72 per person.

Is lunch included?

The tour information gives conflicting details. The overview says lunch is included, while the inclusion list says lunch is not included. Confirm this with Green Devil Safari before booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The experience is described as a small-group tour with up to eight people, while the general activity information gives a maximum of 24 participants. Ask the operator how many people will be in your vehicle.

Can I swim in the volcanic pools?

You can swim at the Porto Moniz pools and Poça das Lesmas if weather and conditions allow. Admission to the pools is not included.

Are entrance fees included?

Admission to the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, Poça das Lesmas, and Vereda do Fanal is not included. Other listed stops have no admission charge.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.