Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4×4 Full Day Tour

What makes this tour interesting is the mix of smooth-ish mountain roads and real off-road dirt track driving, then a finish near the volcanic lava pools on Madeira’s north side. I love the 4×4 off-road route and the chance to visit the volcanic pools and swim if the weather cooperates. One consideration: it’s a long day, and the ride can be bumpy on rugged tracks, so go in with the right expectations.

I also like how the day is built around a string of short, high-impact stops. That means you get multiple “wow” moments without spending the whole day sitting in one place. Guides such as Miguel, Duarte, Philippe, and Spencer are repeatedly described as turning the drive into an entertaining island lesson, with history facts and plenty of humor along the way.

The main downside is less about the tour and more about timing. Swimming at the lava pools depends on conditions, and some of the more famous spots involve extra admission that is not included in your base price. If you want a super slow, lounge-by-the-window kind of outing, this one may feel like too much.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• A full 8-hour north-coast day with real 4×4 driving across dirt roads and rough tracks
• Quick viewpoint and village stops that keep momentum through Serra de Água, Encumeada, and the north
• Vereda do Fanal and the Laurissilva Forest area for a short walk and a cooler, forested feel
• Porto Moniz natural swimming pools plus time in Porto Moniz town for a reset
• Seixal lava pool area (Poca Das Lesmas) when weather allows, then a final viewpoint stop
• English-speaking guidance from Green Devil Safari with guides named Miguel, Duarte, Philippe, and Spencer showing up often in positive stories

Full-Day 4×4 Planning: start time, group size, and comfort

This is an 8-hour tour that starts at 8:30 am, with a hotel pickup option for the Funchal and Caniço area. The group is capped at 50 travelers, which is big enough for an organized day but not the kind of huge crowd that feels like a moving bus terminal.

Because it’s a 4×4 day, comfort matters. Plan for a bumpy ride at times. One of the best ways to make this day feel good is to dress smart for changing elevations. Madeira can swing from bright sun on high ground to cooler, shaded air in forest areas, so bring layers you can peel on and off.

Also, keep your schedule flexible in your head. Even when stops are short, the driving between them takes time, and that’s part of the value: you’re covering a lot of terrain without renting a car. If you get motion sickness easily, you’ll be happier preparing for the rougher sections rather than pretending you’ll feel totally fine.

Morning Drive: Serra de Água and Encumeada before the north side opens up

You start with the “Madeira gets serious fast” feeling, with stops at Serra de Água and Encumeada before you head toward the north coast. These are the kinds of points where the air changes and the island looks different than it does from the south. You’ll get a chance to look out, take photos, and mentally shift gears into north-side Madeira mode.

What I like about starting this way is that it sets up the whole day. The tour is not only about a few famous places. It’s about the island’s geography, how the terrain folds and rises, and how the coast behaves on the north side compared with the south.

Because these are earlier stops, they’re also useful for people who want to settle in. You’re not scrambling at midday to figure out where you are or what you’ll see next. You get your bearings early, and the rest of the tour flows easier.

Sao Vicente stop for Ginjas, then toward Estanquinhos and Paul da Serra

Next up is Sao Vicente, with a short break for Ginjas (about 10 minutes, and admission is listed as free for this stop). This is a good time to stretch your legs, grab a quick look at the village atmosphere, and reset after the higher mountain viewpoints.

From there, you continue through the interior toward Estanquinhos and out to the Paul da Serra area. Paul da Serra is where the day starts to feel more like a high plateau, with wide open views and that distinct Madeira “up here everything is wind and sky” feeling. The itinerary suggests multiple stops around Paul da Serra, which usually means you get at least one real photo moment, not just a quick roll-by.

A practical note: because these are outdoor areas, sun and wind can both be strong. I’d rather you arrive with a light wind layer than rely on luck. If you’re hoping to take photos, bring a lens cloth too. Madeira weather can flip quickly, and dust and mist happen on dirt roads.

Vereda do Fanal and the Laurissilva Forest area, a short walk with big atmosphere

The tour then moves into Vereda do Fanal (Fanal) for about 10 minutes. This is one of the best stops on the day if you want the forest side of Madeira, since the highlights specifically call out the Laurissilva Forest.

What you should expect here: a brief chance to experience a cooler, greener mood compared with the coast towns. Even with a short stop, the forest atmosphere changes how the island feels. It’s also one of those places where you can see why Madeira was protected early compared to other European islands.

Admission for Fanal is listed as not included, so keep that in mind when you budget. Since you only have about 10 minutes here, you’ll want to keep moving. Think quick photos, a short stroll, and then back to the group so you don’t miss the next section of the drive.

Ribeira da Janela viewpoints: small stops, dramatic north-coast energy

After Fanal, the day hits the north coast viewpoints around Ribeira da Janela. You’ll have stops at:

• Ribeira da Janela (about 5 minutes, admission not included)
• Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela (about 5 minutes, admission not included)
• Miradouro Ribeira da Janela (about 5 minutes, admission not included)

These are short, which is exactly why they work. You get a burst of coastline drama, then you move on while the scenery is still fresh in your brain. If you’ve spent time on Madeira’s south coast before, this is where the island often feels more rugged and windswept.

Budget-wise, these viewpoints list admission as not included, so don’t be surprised if there’s a small add-on charge depending on what access is required at the moment. I’d treat it like part of the cost of getting right up to the “show your postcard view” locations.

Porto Moniz town and natural swimming pools, where the day slows down

Then you get to Porto Moniz, where the timing really helps: about 45 minutes in town. Admission for this town stop is listed as free, which is nice because it gives you time to breathe, not just take photos and run.

After the town break comes the highlight setting for water lovers: Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools (another 45 minutes). The big condition is simple, swimming is only possible if the weather allows you to swim. These are volcanic lava pools, so even when water isn’t perfect, the setting still feels unique.

Here’s how to think about this stop for real value:

• The town time helps you buy water or use the restroom without rushing.
• The pool time gives you the option to actually experience the famous locations, not just see them from a distance.
• Because swimming depends on conditions, you’re not stuck planning your whole day around the water, but you do get a real shot at it.

If you bring a swimsuit and a small towel, you’ll be ready either way. Even if you end up not swimming, you’ll probably still want to hang around the lava rock vibe for photos.

Seixal, Poca Das Lesmas, and Veu da Noiva: the final photo and cool-down

Next, you head to Seixal, then out to Poca Das Lesmas for about 45 minutes. Like Porto Moniz, this includes the option to swim in volcanic lava pools if the weather allows it, and the admission is listed as not included.

After that, there’s a short viewpoint stop at Miradouro do Veu da Noiva (about 5 minutes, admission not included). This last stretch is quick on purpose. It helps you end on a memorable view without the day stretching into overtime.

For me, the best way to enjoy this final part is to keep your energy steady. If you try to sprint from stop to stop at the start, you may feel tired right when you reach the pools. Plan to take your time at Porto Moniz and Seixal, then let the last viewpoint be just a quick win.

Price and pickup fees: what $83.27 covers, and what you should budget

The tour price is listed at $83.27 per person and includes:

• a local guide and driver/guide
• hotel pickup and drop-off for the Funchal area
• mobile ticket
• English as the offered language

Food and drinks are not included. Lunch is €24.00 per person, listed separately, so budget that if you want the included meal option.

Admissions are mixed:

• Free: Ginjas (Sao Vicente) and Porto Moniz (town stop)
• Not included: Fanal (Vereda do Fanal), Ribeira da Janela viewpoints and nearby sites, and the natural swimming pools at Porto Moniz and Poca Das Lesmas

Pickup is where you can save or spend. Free pickup is offered in Funchal / Caniço. Other areas may cost extra, including:

• €5.00 per person for Camara de Lobos, Estreito Camara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol (center), and the cruise dock/harbour
• €10.00 per person for Machico, Santa Cruz, Camacha, Calheta, São Vicente, among others
• €15.00 per person for Prazeres, Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar, Fajã da Ovelha, Santana
• €20.00 per person for Porto Moniz and parts of the north coast

So is $83.27 good value? For a full day, with pickup, plus 4×4 driving across the island, it can be solid value. Just don’t forget the possible add-ons: lunch and the admission items that are listed as not included, plus any pickup fee outside Funchal.

What the ride is really like: off-road fun with real bumps

The tone from the guides is part of the experience. In the stories you can hear a pattern: guides like Miguel and Philippe bring humor and island storytelling, and Duarte or Spencer are described as making the drive feel like a fun learning day rather than a checklist.

And the driving itself is not pretend.

This is the kind of day where the road can turn rocky, and the tracks can feel rugged. You’ll be bouncing along dirt roads and through rural areas, and that’s exactly why the tour is worth doing with 4×4 instead of only by bus.

Practical tips to keep the fun level high:

• wear shoes with grip (lava rock and uneven paths can happen when you stop)
• bring a layer for wind and shade
• if you want to swim, have footwear you can handle on wet rock
• don’t plan to snack only in your head, food is not included aside from the lunch option

If you go in expecting an adventurous day, you’ll feel rewarded fast.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This is a strong fit if you want:

• off-road driving and a change of scenery throughout the day
• a route that hits both villages and famous north-coast locations like Porto Moniz
• the possibility of swimming in volcanic lava pools if conditions are right
• an English-speaking guide who adds stories and humor, not just directions

I’d hesitate if:

• you hate bumpy rides or feel motion sick easily
• you only want relaxed walking with minimal planning for add-on admissions
• you are traveling with a tight timetable for meals and you don’t want to manage extra costs like lunch

For families, the tour notes that children must be accompanied by an adult, and most travelers can participate. If you can handle a long day with stops that move along, it should work.

Should you book Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4×4 Full Day Tour?

Yes, if you want a practical, high-value way to see a big chunk of Madeira’s north side without driving yourself, and you like the idea of a day where the views come in bursts. The best reasons to book are the 4×4 off-road route, the combination of viewpoints and villages, and the chance to experience Porto Moniz and Seixal volcanic pools when weather allows.

If you’re mainly looking for a calm sightseeing day with fully included meals and zero extra admissions, you might feel a bit annoyed by the add-ons and the weather dependence for swimming. But for the right type of traveler, this tour is a fun way to get out of the south-coast bubble and see the island’s other personality.

FAQ

What time does the Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4×4 tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 8 hours.

Is pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the Funchal area free pick up. Airbnb, hotel, and cruise port pickups are offered, with a cruise dock option that may cost extra.

Are there extra fees for pickup outside the Funchal area?

Yes. Pickup outside Funchal may include additional fuel tax fees, with examples such as €5.00 per person for the cruise dock and nearby areas, and higher fees for more distant locations like Porto Moniz.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What is included in the tour price?

It includes a local guide and driver/guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in the Funchal area, and a mobile ticket.

What is not included?

Food and drinks are not included. Lunch is listed as €24.00 per person, and some stop admissions are not included.

Can I swim in the natural volcanic pools?

If the weather allows you can swim at the volcanic lava pools in Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools and at Poca Das Lesmas.

Are any admissions free?

Yes. Admission is listed as free for Ginjas (Sao Vicente) and for Porto Moniz.

Is there a limit on group size, and is it suitable for children?

The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund under the tour’s free cancellation terms.