Funchal: Enchanted Terraces, Porto do Moniz & Fanal 4WD Tour

A north Madeira day in an open-top 4×4 is interesting because you go from coastal roads to cloud-level plateaus, then finish with a real cooling swim in volcanic pools. In particular, drivers like Diego and Jorge are often credited with turning all the turns into story time, so you see more than just pretty stops.

I love the mix of stops that actually change your mood, like a swim break at Porto Moniz and a guided walk through the Fanal Forest area. I also like that the format is flexible enough for short photo breaks and quick lookouts, so you can maximize time without feeling stuck in one place.

One possible drawback: the day is built around lots of short stops, and the open-top jeep means wind can happen. It is still a great trade if you pack smart and expect a fast-moving route instead of a slow, relaxed pace.

Key highlights you will feel quickly

• Open-top 4×4 access to narrow north roads and off-the-beaten-path pull-offs
• Volcanic natural swimming pools at Porto Moniz, plus another pool time at Seixal
• Paul da Serra above-the-clouds viewpoints where the air can feel cooler and wilder
• Fanal Forest guided stroll with the famous Witch Tree area and walking sections
• Small groups or private options that keep timing from turning into chaos
• Safety briefings and a first aid kit included, which matters when you mix walking and water

A north Madeira day that feels like several trips in one

This tour is designed for people who want variety fast. You start in the Funchal area, then work your way through Madeira’s north and west with a route that favors viewpoints, village moments, and a couple of chances to cool off in natural volcanic pools.

The big idea here is not just sightseeing. It is how Madeira changes as you climb. In one day you can go from green coast curves, to high cloud cover near Paul da Serra, to a forest walk in the Laurisilva Fanal area. That shift is why an open-top jeep is such a good match. You feel the altitude and the weather shift right away.

If you care about details, the guided part matters. In guides like Jorge and Pedro’s hands, the drive becomes more than directions. You get context on what you are seeing and how local life connects to the island’s geography and farming practices.

Price and logistics: what you get for $74

At about $74 per person for an 8-hour day, the value is strongest when you compare what is included. Your cost covers a guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal, the open-top 4×4 jeep, insurance, local taxes, and a first aid kit.

What is not included is food and drinks. Lunch is optional, so you will want to plan on paying for snacks, water, and any meal on your own. The good news is that having food as an add-on gives you control. You can keep it light, or buy something simple when there is a break.

Also note the practical limits. You can bring swimwear and a towel, but luggage and large bags are not allowed. If you are traveling with only a day bag, you will be happier. If you have big suitcases with you in Funchal, this is not the day to lug them around.

Pickup is included in Funchal center, and you may pay extra if you are farther out or picking up at the harbour. So double check your exact pickup point so the first surprise of the day is not a fee.

The open-top 4×4 experience: fun, wind, and comfort choices

An open-top jeep is the whole point here. You get bigger views and you feel connected to the route. You are also exposed, so your comfort choices matter.

I suggest dressing in layers. Even on days that feel warm in Funchal, the higher viewpoints and Paul da Serra area can feel cooler, and wind can pick up. One review specifically called out a windy day with the jeep still feeling warm, which is exactly the kind of mixed weather you should expect in Madeira.

Footwear matters for the walk sections. The tour includes guided walking time in places like Seixal and the Fanal Forest area. You will want shoes with decent grip, not flip-flops.

And if you are worried about motion or back comfort, take the restrictions seriously. This tour is not suitable for people with back problems or pregnant women, and there is also a weight limit of 287 lbs (130 kg). If you fit those categories, look for a calmer option.

First contact with the coast: Ribeira da Janela and quick photo stops

Your day starts with pickup from multiple possible locations in the Funchal area. After that, you head out and begin with short stops that act like visual bookmarks.

One of the early quick stops is Ribeira da Janela, where you get a brief photo stop and sightseeing moment. The time is short, but that is the point. These quick stops help you get your bearings fast and set expectations for the road ahead, especially if you have not explored this side of the island yet.

You will also see a string of lookouts and scenic pull-offs later in the day, including places like Miradouro da Encumeada, Miradouro da Encumeada-type viewpoint moments, and other quick scenic points. Expect that the guide will use these moments to point out geography, coast shapes, and where the route is heading next.

The drawback of a day like this is you cannot linger. If you want long, slow wandering at every viewpoint, you might feel slightly rushed. If you like variety and learning, it is a smart trade.

Porto Moniz natural swimming pools: the main cooling break

The highlight stop for water time is the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. You get a break that includes swimming time, plus time for photos and guided explanation.

The reason this is such a good stop is simple: it is not a staged pool. These are natural volcanic pools, which means the setting does the work for you. You can relax, swim if conditions feel right, and still have dramatic rock-and-water scenery all around.

Plan for logistics even if you are an experienced swimmer. Bring swimwear and a towel, and keep sunscreen handy. The tour requires a towel and sunscreen in its “what to bring” list, which is a hint that the sun and salt air can be real even if temperatures are comfortable.

The time is about an hour, so you should treat it like a window. You can do a quick swim, float, take a few photos, and then dry off for the next drive segment.

Seixal and São Vicente: coastal village atmosphere with another pool moment

After Porto Moniz, you continue through the north with stops that lean more toward village flavor and coastal scenery.

Seixal is one of the key breaks, and the day includes walking time there as well as scenic time. There is also a second natural pool-related stop later: Piscina natural do seixal. That means you get more than one chance to cool off, which is great if you want to actually swim instead of just dip your feet.

You also get São Vicente, which is a tiny moment compared to the longer pool and forest sections. Still, it is valuable because it breaks the pattern of only road and nature stops. You get at least a taste of how life looks away from Funchal’s cruise-day focus.

One practical note: since the route is fast-moving, shop time and wandering time depend on how the day flows. You might have a brief shopping moment at a traditional village stop later, but you should not plan your entire budget around long browsing.

Serene viewpoints: Serra de Água, Encumeada, and the road to higher air

As the day stretches north and upward, you will hit viewpoint moments that reward you for being there at the right time.

Stops include Serra de Água, Miradouro da Encumeada, and several short photo stops at lookouts like Eira da Achada and Véu da Noiva Viewpoint. These are quick turns off the road, but they are not random. They serve a clear purpose: show you the way Madeira folds into valleys and ridgelines.

Then there is the plateau feeling of Paul da Serra. The tour explicitly includes Paul da Serra, described as being above the clouds. That matters because conditions can change fast. Visibility can be partly cloudy, and light can shift. If you like moody weather photos, bring patience and keep your camera ready.

In general, viewpoint stops are brief, but they are also the moment where your mental map starts forming. Without these, Madeira can feel like one long road. With them, you understand where you have been.

Fanal Forest and the Witch Tree walk: the guided part you will remember

The most “slow down” time on this tour is the walk in the Laurissilva Fanal Forest area. You get a guided stroll, and the day also references the Fanal Witch Tree plus a walking section called Vereda do Fanal.

This is the part I think most people will remember because it changes your relationship to the scenery. Instead of standing, photographing, then moving on, you are walking among trees and getting guided interpretation on what you are seeing.

The forest area is also part of the tour’s off-the-beaten-path promise. You are going where regular coaches do not go, which is one reason this kind of tour works so well in a day trip format. You get access to places that feel more “Madeira as-is,” not just viewpoint after viewpoint.

Drawback to expect: the walks are not long by any measure, but they are still walks. Wear shoes you can trust on uneven ground. If weather is rainy, you might want extra caution, especially around the walking trails.

Waterfall and waterfall-adjacent stops: quick looks that add variety

A nice touch is the inclusion of multiple small “water moments” beyond the pools.

You get stops such as Cascata Água d’Alto and Lombinho waterfall, plus additional viewpoint moments labeled as scenic and photo stops. Even if you only get a short look at each, those moments keep the day from feeling repetitive.

This is also where the guide’s role can make a difference. If the guide points out how water runs through the terrain and where it collects, you start seeing patterns. Without that, you might just think, pretty waterfall, done. With it, you get a better grasp of how the island works.

Secret stops and photo pull-offs: why the open jeep route feels special

You will see stops labeled as secret stop in the day. That is exactly how open-top 4×4 tours are built. You get flexibility to choose a good pull-off depending on road conditions, light, and where the guide thinks you will enjoy the view most.

These short scenic drives and one-minute photo moments might sound small on paper, but they are what break up long stretches of highway feel. They also give you those “wait, where does this road go?” moments.

If you enjoy planning less and reacting more, this is one of the strongest reasons to choose this style of tour. The tradeoff is that you cannot guarantee a specific landmark for your exact photo, since the day can shift.

Timing and food: how to handle the no-food-included reality

Food and drinks are not included. Lunch is optional. So you need to bring your own strategy.

If you want energy for swimming and walking, I would plan a simple breakfast before pickup and then pack small snack backups. Even though the tour includes aperitif or lunch-related items at one point in the day, the data also says food and drinks are not included, which usually means meals are paid separately.

So what do you do? Treat any lunch time as an opportunity, not a guarantee. If you see a chance to buy something, take it. If you are prone to getting hungry, you will feel better starting with your own snacks.

Also bring sunscreen. A water stop plus viewpoint time can turn into a sunburn situation faster than you expect.

Who should book this tour, and who should pass

This is a great fit if you want an efficient day that hits multiple Madeira faces. You will love it if you want:

• Swim time in Porto Moniz pools and another coastal pool area at Seixal
• A mix of forest walking and high-air viewpoints around Paul da Serra
• An open-top experience that makes road travel part of the fun
• Small groups or private options, which help keep timing sensible

You might want to pass if:

• You have back issues or mobility limits that make uneven ground and jeep movement hard
• You are pregnant
• You weigh more than the stated 287 lbs (130 kg) limit
• You hate wind exposure, because open-top means you feel weather

If you are traveling with people who want totally relaxed pacing, this may not match expectations. If your group likes variety, learning, and movement, it is an excellent use of limited time.

Should you book Green Devil Safari’s Funchal to Fanal and Porto Moniz 4×4?

I would book it if you want your Madeira day trip to feel like a custom route rather than a checklist. The value is strong for what is included, especially hotel pickup/drop-off plus an open-top 4×4 plus guided time in the Fanal Forest and swimming breaks at Porto Moniz and Seixal.

I would skip it if your ideal day is long, quiet stops and you do not want wind or short photo windows. Also skip if the health restrictions apply to you.

One last practical tip: pack like you are going to swim and walk, not like you are going to sit. Bring a towel, wear comfortable clothes, and keep your day bag small so you stay within the “no large bags” rule.

If that sounds like your kind of Madeira day, this one is a very solid bet.

FAQ

How long is the Funchal to Fanal and Porto Moniz 4×4 tour?

The tour lasts 8 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is listed as $74 per person.

Is hotel pickup included, and where does it happen?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal are included. Pickup in Funchal center is free, and other pickup areas, including the harbour, may have an extra fee.

What languages are the guides available in?

The live guide is available in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and German.

Is there swimming time during the tour?

Yes. There is swimming time at the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and swimming time related to Seixal’s natural pools.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and lunch is optional.