Full Day Open Roof 4×4 Unforgettable Northwest of Madeira

A full day open-roof 4×4 across Madeira’s northwest is interesting because it packs big scenery into one ride, from high mountain viewpoints to black-sand coast. I like the Fanal laurel forest stop for its ancient trees and rare plants, and I also like Porto Moniz for the volcanic pools and ocean views. The main drawback to consider is that the tour is built around short photo stops, and the open-roof promise may not always match what you expect on the day.

If you start in Funchal around 8:30 am, the logistics are mostly smooth: you get a local guide, English is available, and pickup is included within Funchal and Caniço. The price, $82.82, can be good value if you want one guided day to cover a lot of driving, but you should plan for no lunch and extra costs at the swimming pools.

Key Points Before You Go

• Fanal and Vereda do Fanal: A real laurel-forest feel, with a short walk-stop and endemic wildlife info.
• Paul da Serra: A high, important groundwater recharge area, good for understanding how Madeira stays green.
• Porto Moniz timing: You get about an hour at the coast, including an optional stop for natural swimming pools (paid).
• Many stops are brief: Most viewpoints are 5 to 15 minutes, so bring a camera strap and keep moving.
• Confirm the open-roof expectation: Ask early how roof time works so your photos match the day.
• Group size cap is 50: Still, you may be in a small cluster inside a larger convoy.

Why This Northwest 4×4 Route Is Worth Your Day

Madeira does “steep” better than almost anywhere. This tour leans into that, stacking viewpoints in the interior and on the north coast so you see how the island changes, fast. One part of the day feels high and cool near the mountains, then you drop toward the Atlantic, where rock formations and surf take over.

Two things make this style of day-trip work for most visitors. First, you do not need to figure out the driving sequence. Second, the stops are placed so you can read Madeira as a system, not just postcard views. You get mountain ecology at Fanal and Vereda do Fanal, then you shift to coast geology at Porto Moniz and Ribeira da Janela.

The trade-off is time. You get short stops, not long experiences at each site. If you want long guided walks, this is not the right format. It is a “see a lot and choose what you want to linger at” kind of day.

Pickup in Funchal and Caniço, and Where Fees Change

The tour starts at 8:30 am from the Estátua de Cristiano Ronaldo area in Funchal. Pickup is offered outside Funchal too, but the cost changes depending on where you board.

Within Funchal and Caniço, pickup is free. If you’re in other towns on the island, there are extra per-person pickup fees. For example, Machico, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, Estreito Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol center, and the cruise dock are listed at €5 per person. Camacha, Santo da Serra, Jardim da Serra, Calheta, Caniçal, and São Vicente are listed at €10. Porto Moniz and farther up around Prazeres, Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar, Fajã da Ovelha, and Santana are listed at €20.

That matters because the tour price you see online ($82.82) can rise based on pickup. If you want the best value, stay close to Funchal or Caniço, or budget those extras if you’re coming from the north or west.

The Morning Start: Tabua, Bica da Cana, and Paul da Serra

After pickup, you move through interior stops that give you a sense of Madeira’s routes and raw terrain. One quick stop is Tabua, named from a plant that used to be abundant there, used for making mats and chair backs. It’s only about 15 minutes, but it is the kind of stop that adds local texture. It reminds you that people shaped these landscapes long before the viewpoint cameras arrived.

Next is Bica da Cana Viewpoint at about 1580 meters. This is one of the best-known viewpoints in the area, and on good-visibility days you can see the São Vicente valley on the green north coast. It’s listed for about 15 minutes, so it is built for sharp photos, not lingering.

Here’s my practical advice: if Bica da Cana is the reason you booked, ask the driver at the very start if it will be included on your day and how long you’ll have there. The tour includes it in the plan, but you do not want to gamble your one must-see spot on assumption.

The next interior theme is Paul da Serra. Instead of only focusing on a view, the stop frames the area as Madeira’s major groundwater recharge zone. The high, planar structure helps water infiltrate instead of rushing straight to the sea. That’s a helpful mental model while you look around. You start to see why the island’s vegetation and springs behave the way they do.

Fanal Forest and Vereda do Fanal: Where the Trees Feel Ancient

If you want one stop that feels special even when everything else moves fast, it’s Posto Florestal Fanal and Vereda do Fanal. Fanal is described as a magical place with a vast forest of ancient trees, and you’ll take time to relax in that setting. This portion is short, around 15 minutes each for Fanal and the vereda route stop, but it still works because the place does most of the talking for you.

The key detail here is the Laurisilva. It’s described as a relict laurel forest type, with a very large surviving area and believed to be around 90% primary forest. It also supports endemic species, including the Madeiran long-toed pigeon. Even if you don’t see the pigeon, knowing it’s part of the ecosystem makes the forest feel alive, not just scenic.

What to expect in real time: you’re on a tight schedule, so wear shoes you can move in quickly. Bring a layer too. Even on warm days in Funchal, the interior can feel cooler when you’re near cloudier forest conditions.

One more tip: take a moment to look at the ground and not only the tree trunks. Laurel-forest environments tend to have a “quiet moisture” feel, and your eyes adjust quickly once you stop treating it like a rapid viewpoint and instead treat it like a place to reset.

Ribeira da Janela Viewpoints and the Sea Cliff Drama

After the forest, the route shifts to a coastal storyline built from watercourses and rock. You’ll hit Miradouro Ribeira da Janela, plus Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela viewpoints, then Mirador Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela. Each is short, roughly 10 minutes for the first two and about 5 minutes for the last.

The common thread is the Ribeira da Janela watercourse. It’s described as the most extensive and abundant watercourse formed in the island interior between the mountains, flowing into the ocean. Then you get the payoff: rock formations just meters from shore.

Why those short stops still matter: they’re designed for the right angles. Cliffs and islets shift dramatically as you move a few meters. You’ll often get the best view right where the guide wants you, not farther down a trail you might choose yourself.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to “figure out” a view, use the short windows to pick one photo angle you really care about. Then move with the group. It’s faster than trying to do everything and end up with missed time later at Porto Moniz.

Porto Moniz: Volcanic Pools, Swim Options, and What You Should Plan

Then you arrive at Porto Moniz, one of the most famous coastal stops in the northwest. The description focuses on volcanic pools, mystical forests, and breathtaking scenery. Expect the mood shift to be immediate. You go from forest and viewpoints to ocean physics.

You get about an hour total for the Porto Moniz section that includes the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools area. Access to the natural pools is listed as not included, and it’s approximately 3 EUR. That means you can choose how much time you want to spend in the water, depending on weather and your comfort level.

A practical note: lunch is not included. So if you’re hungry, plan snacks. Even though you have a guide and the day is organized, the schedule includes mostly short breaks, and you might not have the kind of sit-down meal time you’re used to.

Also, pack for a water-friendly stop even if you think you won’t swim. Sea-cooled air and wind can make it easy to underestimate how fast you’ll feel it. Bring a small towel and keep a change of clothes in your bag if you intend to use the pools.

The value here is that Porto Moniz is not just a viewpoint stop. It’s a place where you can do something, either photos plus a walk around, or actual swimming time at the famous pools.

After the Coast: Ponta, Pools, and Veu da Noiva

Once you clear Porto Moniz, you still have a strong wrap-up sequence that keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

You’ll visit Poca das Lesmas, described as natural charm between sea and mountains, with about 30 minutes there. It’s longer than the typical viewpoint stop, so it’s your chance for a more relaxed look, maybe a slower set of photos, and a bit of stretching.

Next is a quick stop at Piscinas do clube naval do Seixal, where you can take a dip and enjoy the sea while practicing water sports. It’s listed for about 10 minutes. That’s short, but it’s a nice variety moment if you already used the Porto Moniz pools slot differently.

Then comes Miradouro do Veu da Noiva, the viewpoint for a waterfall curtain about 30 meters high that runs down to the Atlantic. It’s described as a veil that recalls brides’ traditional wedding veils. You’ll have about 10 minutes. This stop is very photo-friendly because you get a clear “water line” effect over the rock.

Together, these final stops make the day feel like a full northwestern sweep: forest, coast, swimming, and then water cascading down toward the ocean.

Price and Value: What Your Money Actually Buys

At $82.82 per person for about 8 hours, you’re paying for guided driving and a structured route that hits the island’s most photogenic themes in one day. The guide and all fees and taxes are included, which helps keep surprises lower.

The hidden value is that many of the stops are listed as free admission, which means you’re not constantly paying entry tickets just to stand and look. The one clear paid exception in your provided details is the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, listed at roughly 3 EUR.

But do not ignore the cost add-ons. Pickup fees outside Funchal and Caniço can significantly change the total. And lunch is not included, so you should budget for a meal or snacks.

So when is it good value? If you want one day that covers Fanal, Ribeira da Janela, and Porto Moniz without having to rent a car. It’s also a good choice if you enjoy fast-moving photo days and you do not need long hiking time.

When is it not good value? If your plan depends on a very specific promised moment like an open-roof experience or a specific viewpoint stop, do extra confirmation before you lock in.

Open Roof and Off-Road Expectations: Manage Them Early

The title sells an open roof 4×4 experience, but the practical reality is worth checking. The vehicle roof may not always open exactly as advertised, and the day can feel more like a guided route with dramatic stops than a nonstop off-road adventure.

To avoid disappointment, ask at the start:

• Will the roof be opened during the ride, and when?
• If there is a priority viewpoint for your booking, is it included on your day?

Because if your goal is to stand up for photos, you’ll need that open-roof time. If it stays closed, you can still get great pictures, but they may not match the angle you were hoping for.

As for off-road, treat it as “limited” rather than a constant muddy track session. You should expect regular roads mixed with short scenic stretches where the 4×4 style adds comfort and reach.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Look Elsewhere)

This tour fits best if you want:

• A single-day northwest plan with major highlights clustered together
• Short viewpoint time at multiple scenic spots
• A chance to experience the Porto Moniz pools area, even if you only dip your feet

It might not fit if you want:

• Long, guided walks or long stays at each site
• A guarantee that the roof will be open for photos
• An itinerary experience that revolves around one single stop as a non-negotiable

If you’re traveling as a couple or solo, this can be a great way to get around without a rental car. If you’re with someone who needs a slower pace or longer meal breaks, you’ll want to bring snacks and plan on moving frequently.

Should You Book This Green Devil Safari 4×4 Tour?

I think you should book it if you want a well-structured day that covers Madeira’s northwest big hits, with a strong 4.8 rating and a 95% recommendation rate. It is a good match for people who like viewpoints, ocean stops, and the mix of forest plus coast in one pass.

Hold off or at least confirm first if your booking hinges on the open-roof experience or on a specific viewpoint being included. This tour can still be worth it, but your money is best protected when you clarify what happens on your exact day.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

It starts at 8:30 am and runs for about 8 hours.

Where is the meeting point in Funchal?

The meeting point is the Estátua de Cristiano Ronaldo on Av. Sá Carneiro 27, São Martinho, 9000-017 Funchal, Portugal.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered. It is free for Funchal and Caniço. Other areas have listed extra pickup fees.

Do I need to pay for lunch?

Lunch is not included.

Is admission to Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools included?

No. Admission to the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools is listed as not included, and it is approximately 3 EUR.

What language will the guide speak?

The tour is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.