Full day East Adventure Jeep Tour in Madeira Portugal

East Madeira by jeep is a fun way to see the island when you want more than a bus ride and a couple of viewpoints. I love the small group feel and how the day mixes off-road country roads with proper time to look around. I also love that the key stop entries are free, so your day stays focused on the sights instead of adding surprise admission costs.

One heads-up, this is an 8-hour day with multiple stretch-and-walk moments and lots of winding roads. Wear shoes you trust on uneven ground, and plan on being in the jeep between stops.

Key highlights you should care about

• Off-road driving between quieter roads that cut away from the busiest routes
• Pico do Arieiro, the island’s second-highest point with views to both sides of Madeira
• Ribeiro Frio trout reserve and a guided levada walk with Faial viewpoints
• Santana’s traditional houses plus a lunch stop at a local restaurant
• Faial’s Guindaste glass platform right above the ocean for standout photos
• Porto da Cruz black sand beach, a calmer finale to the day

East Madeira by jeep: the practical reason it feels different

This tour works because it’s built around movement. You start in Funchal, get into a jeep, and spend the day hopping between high points, river-valley paths, and small coastal stops. The driver plans routes that use less busy, narrow, off-road roads, so you feel like you’re touring the island, not just checking boxes.

The tone of the day is also very human. You are with a small group, and the guide pacing matters. In the best moments, you’re not rushing through photo spots, you’re hearing why these places matter and then taking a turn to look out at Madeira from a new angle.

Getting picked up in Funchal, and how the day starts on time

Pickup is part of the deal. In Funchal, you meet in front of your accommodation entrance and look for the Jeep with the company logo stickers. At the port, the guide is at the entrance holding a board with your name on it.

Two tips that make pickup feel smooth:

• Be ready a few minutes early, especially if you have a complex hotel entrance.
• Have your phone handy for the mobile ticket, since you use that rather than a paper voucher.

This matters because the first stop is high up and time matters. If you miss the handoff, you end up rushing the whole day.

What 8 hours really looks like: driving, walking, and timing

The tour runs about 8 hours. Each stop gets a solid window, then you transition. Between stops, you’re typically in the jeep for about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on where the day’s next viewpoint sits.

Here’s the pacing in plain terms:

• You’ll have high-altitude views early.
• Then you shift down into a valley setting and do a guided levada walk.
• After that, you move through Santana and the north coast area.
• The day ends with a black sand beach stretch before heading back.

That mix is why it works. You get mountains, water, historic houses, and ocean in one long loop.

Stop 1, Pico do Arieiro: the second-highest viewpoint with big two-sided views

Pico do Arieiro is the kind of stop you plan for. It’s the second-highest point on Madeira, and the payoff is sweeping views out to both sides of the island. When the weather is clear, this is where you understand why Madeira is so dramatic.

You arrive and then settle into the lookout time. Then the driver immediately starts the next leg using less busy roads. The ride to the next area takes around 45 minutes, and that in-between stretch is part of the experience, since the jeep heads off-road and into narrower terrain.

Time on the stop is about 1 hour 15 minutes, and the listed admission here is free. That combination makes it easy to justify the day price, because one of the biggest viewpoints is not treated like an extra-cost add-on.

Stop 2, Ribeiro Frio: trout reserve and a levada walk toward Faial

Ribeiro Frio is your change of pace. Instead of just looking at heights, you get into the island’s water-and-terrace world. This is an excellent chance to discover the trout reserve, which gives the day an actual nature-and-industry connection, not only scenery.

From there, you take a guided levada walk. A levada is a channel system that supports water management in Madeira, and the walk here comes with amazing views that point you toward Faial.

Expect about 1 hour 50 minutes at this stop. The admission is listed as free, and you also get the benefit of a guide to help you make sense of what you’re seeing.

A practical note: levada paths can vary underfoot. I always treat these walk segments as short hikes, not strolls, and I plan footwear accordingly.

Stop 3, Santana: traditional houses and lunch with a local feel

Santana is where the tour slows just enough to feel like a real cultural stop. You get introduced to Santana’s traditionally built houses, the kind of architecture that makes Madeira look instantly recognizable, even on a quick glance.

This stop also usually includes lunch. The tour arranges a local restaurant meal during the day. Lunch is not included in the tour price, but it is organized for you, so you are not hunting for food on your own in an unfamiliar area. The typical range is €15 to €20 per person, described as a 3-course meal with a drink.

Plan for about 2 hours here. Then you transfer again, about 30 minutes, back toward the coast and the Faial area.

Stop 4, Faial: the Guindaste glass platform above the ocean

Faial is one of those places that makes you stop mid-sentence and look down. The tour includes a lovely walk that leads you to Guindaste, a glass platform right above the ocean.

This is the stop that often becomes the photo anchor of the whole day, because the viewpoint is built into the experience. You’re not just looking at the sea from a normal viewpoint, you’re standing on something that changes how it feels.

You get about 1 hour 25 minutes for this part. Then you move on again, about 40 minutes, to the final coastal stop.

If you’re the type who likes perspective shifts, this is a strong pick. You’re going from island heights to ocean drop-offs, and your brain starts to map Madeira in layers.

Stop 5, Porto da Cruz: black sand beach time at the end

Porto da Cruz is a good finale because it’s grounded and simple. You get time to take a stroll and discover the black sand beach. This is a different kind of Madeira beauty, darker, quieter, and more about texture than altitude.

The stop is about 1 hour 30 minutes. Then you ride back toward your accommodations, around 60 minutes.

You’ll feel the day in your legs by this point. That’s why I like having a beach end. You can walk a little, find a comfortable spot, and reset before the return drive.

Jeep day details that affect your comfort (and your photos)

This tour caps at a maximum of 12 people, which is a big deal for a full-day format. With a smaller group, the guide can manage the timing better at photo stops and on walk segments, and you’re less stuck waiting while everyone regroups.

The driving style matters too. The route is designed around less busy, narrow, off-road roads. That means more curves and more jostle than a normal city transfer. If you get motion sensitive, you might want to be strategic with seating and take it easy on heavy meals beforehand.

For photos, here’s what I’d focus on during this itinerary:

• High points early, when visibility tends to be best.
• The glass platform time, so you can experiment with angles without rushing.
• The black sand beach end, for texture shots and calmer compositions.

Also, pack small basics for a long day. One passenger recommendation I like for this type of route is to bring snacks and tissues, since it is a full loop with no guarantee you want only restaurant timing.

Price and value: what you pay for, and what costs extra

The price is $102.58 per person for the East tour, with pickup offered and English offered. For many people, the value comes down to what is included versus what is on you.

What’s included:

• The jeep tour itself with guide service
• Pickup from accommodation (and port pickup at the entrance with your name)
• The planned stops, including the listed stop entries, which are marked free

What’s not included:

• Lunch, arranged at local restaurants, typically €15 to €20 per person (3 courses plus a drink)

When you do the math, lunch is the main extra cost you should expect, and it’s not random. It’s scheduled into the day with a local restaurant stop during Santana.

Another value point is timing. This is booked about 19 days in advance on average. That’s a sign that the day format and route stay popular. If you have fixed travel dates, I’d lock it in earlier rather than waiting.

The guides make or break it, and this company is very local

The driver experience is a recurring theme in the names that come up for this tour. People talk about guides like Filipe, Ricardo, Philippe, Filip, Francesco, Andre, and Vitor. What matters most is that these are local, island-focused guides who explain what you’re seeing and keep the day feeling personal.

You’ll also hear plant talk and nature talk. That’s not just trivia. It helps you notice details on the trails and viewpoints instead of only photographing the big wide views.

If you care about context, this is a good match. If you only want a checklist of stops, any jeep tour can still deliver, but this one tends to work best when you lean into the guide’s stories.

Who should book this East Adventure Jeep Tour

I think this tour is a great fit if:

• You want mountain-to-ocean variety in one day without planning the route yourself
• You like off-road driving and smaller group touring
• You enjoy short guided walks, not only sitting at viewpoints
• You want a local-feeling lunch stop rather than a quick snack and back on the road

It may be less ideal if:

• You dislike long days and lots of time in a vehicle
• You struggle with uneven ground on walk segments
• You are very picky about food options and want full control of what you eat

For most people, though, the “short stops with movement” format is the sweet spot. You don’t spend all day stuck at one site, and you still get enough time at each place to actually feel there.

Should you book it with Ricardo Off Road Madeira?

If you want a full East Coast day that feels local and active, I’d book it. The combination of off-road driving, free-entry stops, and a guided day structure makes the price feel earned. You are also not left scrambling for lunch in a remote area, because the Santana restaurant stop is part of the plan.

I’d especially lean toward booking if your itinerary is light and you want Madeira to feel like an island with textures, not only postcards. Pico do Arieiro plus the Guindaste glass platform are strong anchors, and the black sand beach gives you a calm closing moment.

Just go in with realistic expectations: it’s an 8-hour day with movement. If you’re okay with that, you’ll likely walk away feeling like you saw the island in a way that’s hard to replicate on your own.

FAQ

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

The Full Day East Adventure Jeep Tour lasts about 8 hours.

Is pickup included?

Yes. You meet in front of your accommodation entrance and look for the Jeep with the company logo stickers. Port pickup is at the entrance with a guide holding a board with your name.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. During full day tours, lunch is arranged at local restaurants, typically €15 to €20 per person for a 3-course meal with a drink.

How many people are in each jeep?

This tour/activity has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Are there admission tickets for the main stops?

The listed admission for the stops on this route is free.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.