East Madeira by 4×4 is a loud, fun change of pace. You get an open-top ride through the island’s interior and viewpoint stops where the timing is built for photos and quick questions.

One thing I’d plan around: some jeeps can mean cramped back seating, and that’s where comfort (and view) can vary a lot.

Guides are a big part of the experience, with names like Lino, Diogo, and Spencer popping up in feedback for driving skill and island storytelling.

Key points to know before you go

• Small group up to 8 inside a larger day schedule, so you’re not lost in the crowd
• Open-top 4×4 for mountain roads and quick, camera-ready viewpoints
• Santana traditional houses plus an optional ticketed stop at Casas Típicas
• Lunch is on your own, but vegan/vegetarian options are available
• Pico do Arieiro is one of the day’s main viewpoint moments
• Seating comfort can be uneven, especially in the back—ask what your row will be

Open-Top 4×4: What This Shore Excursion Really Delivers

If your cruise day in Funchal feels like a scramble—tender in, find a bus, rush a checklist—this is the antidote. You’re moving by 4×4 through eastern Madeira with enough stops to get variety: coast towns, a couple of viewpoints, then Santana’s iconic houses, and finally Pico do Arieiro.

What makes it work is the flow. You’re not just driving, you’re doing short, purposeful moments—10 to 15 minutes here, a quick stop at a lookout there—so you spend your time looking out, not waiting around.

The best part is also the most “Madeira” part: the mountain roads. One minute you’re riding through greener stretches, the next you’re at a viewpoint where cameras come out fast. It’s a day designed for motion, not museum pace.

Still, read this as practical advice: jeep format means your comfort depends on where you sit. Some departures use seating arrangements that may not feel great for hours on bumpy roads.

Getting Off the Ship: Pickup, Timing, and Where Extra Fees Kick In

This tour starts at 8:30 am, with pickup offered from the cruise terminal area. Your pickup is handled by the operator, and you’ll get the correct time after confirmation.

Pickup inside Funchal and Caniço is free. Once you start farther out, extra fees apply (per person), and the cost can add up if you’re traveling with family or a group. Here’s the pricing snapshot the operator lists:

• €5.00 p/p: Machico, Santa Cruz, Camara de Lobos, Estreito Camara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol (center), and the cruise dock/harbour area
• €10.00 p/p: Camacha, Santo da Serra, Jardim da Serra, Calheta, Caniçal, São Vicente
• €15.00 p/p: Ponta Delgada, Faial, Porto da Cruz
• €20.00 p/p: Porto Moniz, Prazeres, Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar, Fajã da Ovelha, Santana

And it notes that pickup outside Funchal/Caniço can involve an additional fee.

So what should you do with this? If your ship docks at the cruise harbour (common in Funchal), you can often avoid the extra costs by sticking to the free pickup zone. If you’re staying farther away, you’ll want to plan your transport for the pickup point early.

Also, the tour offers a mobile ticket, which is handy when you’re moving quickly at the start of the day.

Price and Value: Is $82.21 Worth It?

At $82.21 per person, you’re paying for three things that matter on a shore day: driving time, a guide, and logistics. The tour includes the driver/guide, plus pick up and drop off at the cruise terminal. It’s also structured as a small group up to 8 persons, even though the total day schedule can include up to 24 travelers.

That small-group limit is where the value shows. You’re more likely to hear what the guide is saying, get questions answered, and stay together without feeling like you’re in a cattle line.

The tradeoff is that not every part of the day is “included,” especially food. Lunch is not included, and one Santana attraction has an additional ticket. But the upside is flexibility: you can choose something that fits your dietary needs and your taste (and the operator notes vegan and vegetarian options for lunch are available).

If you’re the type who likes viewpoints, short photo stops, and a “see a lot without losing the whole day” pace, the price can feel fair. If you’re hoping for long, calm walking time at one place, you might find the schedule a bit quick.

The Route: East Madeira Stop by Stop (What to Expect)

This is an east Madeira loop that strings together coast glimpses, viewpoints, and cultural stops. Most stops are short and free (admission is listed as free for several key points), with one exception at Santana.

Machico: A Quick Start Along the Way

You’ll stop in Machico for about 10 minutes. It’s a short break, not a deep dive, but it sets the tone: this is a coast-and-cliff kind of island day, and Machico gives you an early sense of where you are.

Because it’s brief, treat it like a warm-up. Use it to get your bearings and grab a quick photo. If you’re prone to motion sickness, this is also the moment to settle in and get comfortable before the mountain roads pick up.

Miradouro da Portela: The First Proper Viewpoint Moment

Next up is Miradouro da Portela, a viewpoint stop that’s only around 5 minutes. The point here isn’t lingering. It’s about getting a fix of Madeira’s heights early so you know what the day is building toward.

Because the stop is short, bring your camera settings ready. Don’t waste time unlocking everything when the light is good.

Porto da Cruz: Passing Through the East Coast Mood

There’s a stop listed at Porto da Cruz, but the time is not specified in the tour details you provided. In practice, it’s likely a quick pause as you work your way inland.

If you want souvenir time, you might get limited chances later—so have your priorities in mind before you board.

Fortress of Faial: Another Quick Look Out

At the Fortress of Faial viewpoint, the stop is about 5 minutes. Again: short and focused.

These fast viewpoint stops can feel repetitive to some people. But in Madeira, they also work because the driving between them changes what you see. It’s not just the same view from a different angle; it’s different parts of the island showing up in sequence.

Santana: Traditional Houses and a Cultural Snapshot

Santana is one of the cultural anchors of the day. You get about 15 minutes at Santana (traditional houses), and then an additional 15 minutes at Casas Típicas de Santana—though that second one isn’t included.

This is the part you’ll want to treat as “photo first, read later.” You’ll have enough time to walk through the immediate area and capture the classic look, but not enough time to turn it into a long museum-style visit.

Tip: If you plan to visit Casas Típicas de Santana, decide before you arrive. The extra ticket means it’s optional, so don’t let decision fatigue waste your limited minutes.

Balcões de Ribeiro Frio: A Small Village Break

Balcões de Ribeiro Frio is described as a small village / natural park area, with a free admission note. The stop is part of the “breather” portion of the route before the big viewpoint climb.

Even without long walking time, these stops help the day feel grounded. You see local-scale Madeira rather than only dramatic lookouts.

Think of it as: stretch your legs, reset your camera battery, and re-aim your photos for high ground later.

Pico do Arieiro: The Big Viewpoint Finish

Pico do Arieiro is listed as a viewpoint stop around 15 minutes. This is one of the main moments of the tour, and it’s the part you’ll remember on the drive back to Funchal.

One review you provided mentions getting above the clouds near Arieiro, which is exactly the kind of Madeira trick that makes this stop worthwhile. If weather is clear, you’ll likely see far. If clouds roll in, you still get a moody sense of scale.

Either way, this is a stop where timing matters. Wear something you can layer, and be ready to take photos quickly when the view opens.

Lunch on Your Own: Vegan-Friendly, but Still Plan Ahead

Lunch is not included, but the tour notes that vegan and vegetarian options are available. That’s a real plus if you don’t want to gamble on finding something mid-day.

Because lunch isn’t built in, you’ll need to plan for how long you’ll realistically have. The stops are short across the day, so I recommend eating before you board if you can, or using the lunch break strategically around the time window your guide creates.

If you’re traveling with dietary needs, I’d bring it up early with the driver/guide so they can point you toward places that actually work.

Comfort and Seating: The Part That Can Make or Break the Day

Here’s the blunt truth from the feedback you shared: seating comfort varies by jeep and by row. One negative review complains about being placed on jump seats with no view and poor communication from the driver. Another is more serious, describing hard bench seating at the back, lack of secure seating for everyone, and notes about safety restraints on certain bench configurations.

On the other hand, multiple reviews praise the driving and the fun factor, so it’s not all bad. But since you can’t control which vehicle gets assigned to your group, you should protect yourself with a smart approach.

What I’d do:

• When you’re on the vehicle, check your exact seat location right away and switch if the operator allows it.
• If you’re traveling with someone older or someone who’s sensitive to rough rides, plan for the possibility that the back seats might not be ideal.
• Bring a light layer and wear shoes with grip. Open-top or not, you’ll be on uneven ground during boarding and quick stops.

This tour is about the views and the road. Just don’t assume the ride will feel like a smooth city taxi.

Guides: Names You Might Hear, and Why It Matters

This is the kind of tour where the guide can turn a list of stops into a real story. Your feedback includes several guide names, including Lino, Diogo, and Spencer, plus Bruno mentioned as an option.

The positive notes focus on three things:

1. Humor and island talk that keeps the day from feeling like a bus lecture.
2. Local knowledge that connects what you see—coast, cliffs, and Santana—with why it looks the way it does.
3. Driving confidence in mountainous terrain.

One review even calls out a birthday moment and credits the guide’s humor and knowledge as the reason the day felt memorable. If you’re going for more than scenery—if you want a guide who makes the island feel human—this is a good match.

Who This Shore Excursion Fits Best

This tour fits you if you want:

• A cruise-friendly day that covers multiple highlights without long travel transfers
• To see Santana without committing to an extra island tour day
• A photo-driven itinerary with quick viewpoint stops at Machico, Portela, Faial, and Pico do Arieiro
• A smaller feel inside a larger schedule (up to 8 people in the vehicle group)

It might be less ideal if:

• You’re very sensitive to cramped seating or long bumpy rides
• You want slow pacing, long walks, or deep time at one single attraction
• You’d struggle with quick stops where you might not have time for a full meal and shopping

Photography, Weather, and What to Bring

With viewpoints stacked through the day, you’ll be doing a lot of quick stops and fast decisions. So pack like you’re doing mini photo sessions, not one big landscape shoot.

A few practical moves:

• Bring sunglasses and sun protection. The ride is open-top, and stops are short.
• Wear layers. Mountain weather can shift quickly, and you’ll be moving in and out of shaded forest sections.
• Keep water accessible. Even if lunch is available nearby, you’ll still want a backup.

If you’re bringing a camera, keep batteries warm. Quick climbs and cooler heights can drain power.

Should You Book Green Devil Safari East Madeira & Santana?

I’d book this tour if you want an efficient, fun east Madeira day with lots of viewpoints and at least one strong cultural stop. The small-group setup, pickup from the cruise terminal, and the open-top 4×4 experience are exactly the kind of value that works well on a limited shore day.

I’d hesitate if comfort is your top priority, because seating can be inconsistent across jeeps and rows. In that case, I’d ask the operator what seating options you have before you go, and pick your priorities: view and adventure, or comfort and calm.

If you’re flexible, like scenery that changes every few minutes, and you enjoy guides who keep things lively, this is a strong pick for your cruise day in Funchal.

FAQ

How long is the East Madeira Peaks & Santana shore excursion?

It runs for about 8 hours.

Is pickup and drop-off included from the cruise terminal?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, but vegan and vegetarian options are available.

Are the main stops free, or do I need tickets?

Most stops listed are free admission. Casas Típicas de Santana has an admission ticket that is not included.

How big is the group on this tour?

It’s a small group up to 8 persons, and the overall maximum for the experience is 24 travelers.

What languages are offered?

The tour is offered in English.