Madeira’s northwest hits fast and hard. This 7.5-hour ride with harbour pickup strings together volcanic coast scenes, natural swimming pools, and misty forest stops with English-speaking guidance.

I love the chance to see Porto Moniz the way Madeira does it best: volcanic rock, Atlantic views, and the real natural-pool experience. I also like the human touch from guides like Luis and Lino, who kept the mood up, shared local details, and even worked around the day to make it feel fun, not rushed.

One thing to plan for: the timing is tight. You get lots of different stops, but many are only 10–30 minutes, and some key sights (like the Porto Moniz natural pool time) can have extra admission, since it’s marked not included.

Quick Takeaways

• Harbour-area pickup helps you go straight from the ship into northwest Madeira
• Porto Moniz lava pools are the standout, and you’ll have time to enjoy the coast twice
• Black-sand Seixal and Poca das Lesmas give you an easy, scenic break from viewpoints
• Ribeira da Janela cliffs stack multiple photo stops in a small stretch of coastline
• Fanal and Paul da Serra bring contrast: UNESCO laurel forest mist plus big plateau views
• Small-group 4×4 energy (max 24) with drivers named Luis, Lino, Antoine, Pedro, and Nelson in the mix

Why Madeira’s Northwest Feels Different From the Rest

If you’ve only seen Funchal or the south coast, this part of the island can feel like a whole other Madeira. The northwest leans into volcanic geology and rugged coastlines, so you’re constantly switching between cliff views, black sand, and ocean-polished rock.

What I really liked about this route is that it doesn’t just throw scenery at you. It mixes quick stops that still matter—like places where you can walk for five minutes and get a payoff photo—with short pockets of time where you can actually linger and feel the area’s mood.

Pickup From the Harbour and Getting on the Road (8:30 Start)

The day starts at 8:30 am, and the big help is how pickup is handled. If you’re in the Funchal area or Caniço, pickup is free. There’s also a free pickup point tied to the CR7 statue/museum.

If you’re coming from a cruise dock/harbour, expect an extra €5.00 per person. The good news is you’re not guessing how to get to the first viewpoint—you’re set up to roll right out on a shared 4×4 day.

You’ll use a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English. That matters more than you’d think on a day like this, because the guide’s explanations make the quick stops feel purposeful instead of random pull-offs.

How the 7.5 Hours Work: Pace, Stops, and What Short Times Really Mean

This is about coverage. The timing is long enough to hit a lot of variety, but short enough that it’s not a slow countryside day.

You’ll see stops listed in blocks like 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes—so you should treat each stop like a mini mission:

• get your bearings fast
• take the key photos
• decide quickly if you’ll go closer (viewpoint edges and coast paths can be your best “free entertainment”)

The tour is limited to maximum 24 travelers, which is a strong signal that this won’t feel like a huge bus shuffle. In the reviews, people mentioned private jeeps for groups, which lines up with the idea that you’ll likely move in small vehicle groups with a guide who can keep things moving.

Also keep in mind the practical size limits: maximum height 1.90 m and maximum weight 120 kg. If you’re close to those numbers, this is worth checking before you book.

Porto Moniz: Lava Pools, Ocean Views, and Two Chances to Enjoy It

Porto Moniz is where this itinerary earns its reputation. You start with about 1 hour at Porto Moniz, and that first block is marked admission ticket free. This is your chance to orient yourself in town, take in the volcanic coast, and (if conditions allow and you’re ready) enjoy the feel of the area around the famous natural pools.

Later, the day returns you to the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools for about 30 minutes. That time is not included, which is an important cost note. In plain terms: the first Porto Moniz stop sets the scene; the second one is the real swimming-and-relaxing portion if you choose to do it.

There’s also a 10-minute stop at Jardim da Frente de Mar de Porto Moniz, built around soaking in ocean views and getting back to the coast’s contrast: deep water against dark volcanic rock. I like these small “breather” windows because they keep the day from becoming only driving and checking boxes.

Possible drawback: the natural pool portion is short. If you’re someone who wants a long swim session, you’ll be happier going in knowing this is more of a taste-and-refresh moment than an all-afternoon hang.

Seixal and Poca das Lesmas: Black Sand That Changes the Mood

Then the day shifts to a quieter kind of beauty at Seixal for about 20 minutes (marked admission free). This is one of those stops where the highlight is simple: black sand, ocean color, and a slower rhythm.

After that comes Poca das Lesmas, also tied to the black sand beach experience, with about 30 minutes. This segment is marked not included, so treat it as a time to enjoy the shoreline and views rather than a ticketed attraction where you’ll want to plan a long indoor activity.

Why I think this section is valuable: black sand works differently than the bright-summer beach images people carry in their heads. It looks dramatic next to the Atlantic, and it gives you a breather from steep cliff viewpoints while still feeling distinctly Madeira.

If you want to swim, you’re in the right neighborhood, but remember you’re on a schedule—don’t get so comfortable that you miss the group pickup back to the next stop.

São Vicente: A Quick Stop With Volcanic Clues

São Vicente is a short stop—about 10 minutes—but it’s described as known for caves and volcanic formations. This is the kind of stop that works best if you keep expectations realistic: it’s not a full underground tour time block.

What you can do with a short time like this is grab a sense of what the northwest is made of—volcanic forces shaped the coast, and that same geology shapes the caves and rock formations nearby. Even without a long guided walk, it helps connect the dots between the lava rock pools, the cliffs, and the forest.

Ribeira da Janela: The Cliffs That Feed Your Camera

Ribeira da Janela gets multiple stops, and that’s usually a good sign. You’ll spend time at Ribeira da Janela itself (about 20 minutes), plus additional shorter viewpoint blocks like Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela and several miradouros (each around 10–20 minutes).

Here’s what matters in practical terms:

• you’re on the northern coast
• you get dramatic cliff views and rugged scenery
• it’s a strong area for photography

The itinerary descriptions point to lush greenery around the valley, cliffs with earthy tones, and ocean panoramas. I like how the day doesn’t treat this as one photo stop and move on. Instead, it lets you hit multiple angles in a relatively compact area, so your brain gets more than one postcard.

Small consideration: since several stops are short, wear shoes you can walk in. Even if the route is mostly viewpoints, you’ll likely move a bit to reach the best viewpoints along the coast.

Fanal and Posto Florestal Fanal: Laurisilva Forest With UNESCO Credits

Now you’re stepping into a different Madeira rhythm: the Laurisilva forest experience. Fanal (and a stop at Posto Florestal Fanal) is described as an enchanted laurel forest, known for mist and unique flora and fauna. One segment is marked free, and the time is around 20 minutes for the Posto Florestal Fanal stop.

If you like forests that feel alive—foggy, cool, and a little mysterious—this is the moment in the day. Madeira’s Laurisilva is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the way this route schedules it is smart: you don’t get stuck there for hours, but you do get enough minutes for the atmosphere to register.

In reviews, the forest stops tend to be remembered as a mood shift. You go from ocean drama to misty green hush, and your eyes get a break from only looking at rock.

Paul da Serra: Big Plateau Views and the High-Air Feeling

After the forest mood, the day climbs into open space on Paul da Serra.

You’ll stop at Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra (around 10 minutes), then later at Levada do Paul da Serra (around 20 minutes). Both are positioned around sweeping vistas and hiking opportunities. The levada is described with plant life and open views, and the notes even highlight sunset as especially spectacular.

Even if the timing of the day doesn’t line up with sunset for you, the value is still the same: you’re getting a “wide sky” Madeira moment. It’s a relief after cliff edges—more horizon, less drop, and a calmer kind of grandeur.

Practical note: if weather changes quickly (and Madeira loves to do that), plateau visibility can shift. A short time here can still feel worthwhile, but don’t be surprised if clouds roll through.

Tabua Waterfall and Village Break: Short Ride, Real Payoff

Next is Tabua (about 30 minutes, marked admission free), where you’ll be taken on a scenic jeep tour to see a cascading waterfall. There’s also time to check out the charming Tabua village atmosphere.

This segment is a nice balance to the big viewpoint stops. It gives you movement and a different kind of nature—water, not only rock and ocean.

Ponta do Sol Area (Near Tabua): A Rural Stroll Reset

Following Tabua, there’s a 20-minute stop labeled Ponta do Sol. The description focuses on a peaceful rural stroll: traditional architecture, laid-back island life, and countryside views. It’s marked admission free.

This is exactly the sort of mini break I appreciate on an active day. When you’ve been looking outward for hours, it’s refreshing to see local village texture—small streets, quieter corners, and fewer cliff edges to keep in your head.

Lombo do Mouro and Bica da Cana: More Trail Talk, More Photo Time

The later part of the day keeps the “outdoor explorer” theme with Lombo do Mouro (around 20 minutes, marked admission free) and Bica da Cana (around 20 minutes, marked not included).

• Lombo do Mouro is described as a haven for hiking trails through lush forests, with panoramic views and opportunities for photography.
• Bica da Cana is described as rugged terrain with hikes leading to panoramic viewpoints.

Even when these are short stops, they matter because they keep the northwest’s identity intact: it’s an island you experience by walking to edges, not by waiting for a grand indoor attraction.

The Real Win: Guides and Drivers Who Made the Day Feel Light

This kind of day lives or dies by the guide. And the reviews you provided strongly point to a team that keeps things fun while still handling the driving professionally.

Names that came up: Luis (called top class, informative, friendly), Lino (humor and good humor, a great driver who mastered the vehicle), and also Antoine, Pedro, and Nelson. One review specifically mentioned that Lino sent photos from the 4×4 day plus photos tied to places with the owner, which is a small but thoughtful extra.

Even without seeing the photos, I take this as a sign that the guides don’t treat it like a checklist. With multiple jeeps for a group (one review mentioned 18 friends in 3 private jeeps), it also sounds like they can keep the experience smooth even when people split into vehicles.

So if you’re someone who worries about a tour feeling stiff, this is a good match. The best guiding here seems to be: clear explanations, flexible energy, and humor in the right doses.

Price and Value: Is $81.66 Worth It?

At $81.66 per person, this isn’t bargain-basement pricing, but it’s also not trying to be a luxury transfer day. For your money, you get all fees and taxes, a local guide, and insurance per Portuguese law. You also get pickup in the Funchal/Caniço area for free.

Where you should do the math is on the items marked extra:

• €5.00 cruise dock/harbour fee (if you’re starting there)
• Lunch is not included
• Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools time is marked not included
• Some later stops are also marked not included

If you plan to swim at the natural pools and you need lunch solved on your own, your final day cost will be higher than the base price. If you’re okay treating swim time as optional and you plan ahead for lunch, the value shifts toward very strong.

My take: you’re paying for a lot of variety in a single day—lava pools, black sand, cliffs, forest, plateau views—without requiring you to drive yourself on Madeira’s twisty roads. That convenience is real value.

Who Should Book This Northwest 4×4 Excursion?

This tour fits best if you:

• want a strong nature and scenery day without doing separate tours
• like photography stops with quick “best angle” opportunities
• enjoy a small-group feel on a 4×4
• are comfortable with a schedule where some stops are brief

It may be less ideal if you:

• hate short stops and want long time in just one place
• need lunch included
• don’t want to deal with any extra admission at natural attractions

One more filter: the height (1.90 m max) and weight (120 kg max) rules. If you’re over either, this is a hard stop.

Final Call: Should You Book Green Devil Safari’s Northwest Shore Excursion?

I’d book it if you want the northwest’s “greatest hits” in one organized loop and you like the idea of switching scenery all day—ocean pools to black sand, cliffs to laurel forest, then plateau views. The guide team names in the reviews (Luis, Lino, Antoine, Pedro, Nelson) suggest this isn’t just driving for driving’s sake. It’s the type of day where humor and good pacing make the tight timing feel manageable.

Skip or choose another option if you’re the type who needs long beach lounging or full-size attraction time blocks, because the stop lengths are built for variety, not extended stays. Also plan for extra costs where the listing shows not included and don’t count on lunch being covered.

If you’re ready for a packed-but-fun northwest day, this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the Madeira northwest shore excursion?

It lasts about 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

Is pickup included?

Free pickup is included for the Funchal area and Caniço, and also for the Funchal CR7 statue/museum. Pickup from the cruise harbour dock includes an extra €5.00 per person. Other areas may have an additional pickup/drop-off fee.

What does the €5.00 cruise dock fee mean?

It’s an extra €5.00 per person for the cruise dock/harbour meeting point.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Are there height or weight limits?

Yes. The tour notes maximum height 1.90 m and maximum weight 120 kg.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Changes within 24 hours of the start time are not accepted.