Northwest Madeira hits hard in one long day. This Harbour pickup tour links the island’s wilder north—lava pools, black sand coasts, and misty forest viewpoints—into one efficient route guided in English.

I especially like the way you get outside the main tourist strip and still have structure. The local guide helps you read what you’re seeing (volcanic rock, coastal formation, and where to stand for the best views), and the day keeps moving without feeling rushed at every stop.

My main caution: you’re spending about 7.5 hours on the move, and some of the best moments are short photo or stretch-the-legs windows. Also, the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools admission isn’t included, and lunch isn’t either.

Key highlights

• Harbour pickup for cruise day convenience (with a dock fee)
• Porto Moniz natural lava pools for a unique seawater swim
• Black sand beaches at Seixal and Póça das Lesmas for calm coastal breaks
• Ribeira da Janela cliff viewpoints with big Atlantic panoramas
• Fanal/Laurisilva forest stops where mist can turn the north spooky-cool
• Guides with personality, including Luis, Lino, Antoine, Pedro, and Nelson, who keep things fun and well-timed

Why the northwest of Madeira feels like a different island

Madeira’s north has a mood of its own. The coastline is rugged, towns are smaller, and the scenery shifts fast—dark rocks, open Atlantic views, and sudden patches of forest. That’s exactly what this trip is built for: a full-day loop that makes the northwest make sense.

You’ll also feel the weather changes more here than in smoother, more sheltered areas. One stretch can be bright; another can be cool and misty. Pack layers even if the morning looks perfect.

Price and value: is $81.66 a good deal?

At $81.66 per person for about 7 hours 30 minutes, the value depends on what you want from the day. This is not a single-stop ticket—it’s transportation plus a guide plus a route packed with multiple north-coast highlights.

What’s included matters:

• All fees and taxes
• A local guide
• Insurance according to Portuguese law
• Free hotel pickup in the Funchal area and Caniço

What isn’t included can affect your real cost:

• Lunch (plan for it)
• €5.00 cruise dock fee if you’re starting from the harbour/cruise area
• Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools admission (you’ll pay for that on the day)

To me, this still looks like solid value if you want variety without doing three separate logistics headaches. If you’re the type who only cares about one location, you might feel the rest are quick stops.

Getting on board: 8:30 am start and harbour pickup reality

The tour starts around 8:30 am, which is great: you beat the worst crowds and still have daylight for viewpoints. Pickup is free in Funchal and Caniço, including points around the CR7 statue/museum area. If you’re on a cruise, plan for the €5.00 per person dock fee.

This matters because it changes how smooth your day feels. Cruise mornings can be tight. A scheduled harbour pickup reduces guesswork, but you should still show up early enough to handle a simple transfer without stress.

Also note the vehicle/group limits: the day runs with a maximum of 24 travelers, and there are height and weight limits (1.90 m and 120 kgs). If you’re tall or carry extra weight, double-check that the transport arrangement will work for you.

The jeep-driver factor: guides like Luis and Lino make it

A 4×4-style coastal day lives or dies by the driver and guide. The guides tied to this tour in real-world feedback include Luis, Lino, Antoine, Pedro, and Nelson—and the common thread is personality plus competence.

From your point of view, that means:

• You get explanations that actually help you choose where to stand.
• You feel cared for, not herded.
• When weather changes, the guide can adjust the flow so you still get the key views.

One practical takeaway: bring your phone battery charger power bank if you like photos. You’ll be stopping repeatedly for scenery and quick walks.

Porto Moniz: natural lava pools and why it’s worth the time

Porto Moniz is the anchor stop, and the reason is simple: the natural lava pools are a Madeira original. These seawater basins formed from volcanic activity, giving you a kind of Atlantic bathtub built from black rock. Even if you don’t swim, it’s a dramatic setting.

The timing here is flexible in the way small-town nature stops often are. You get time in Porto Moniz to explore the area, and there are also pool-focused windows. The pool admission itself is not included, so expect to pay a separate entry if you want to get in the water.

My practical advice:

• If you plan to swim, arrive ready to spend a bit of time there, not just a quick look.
• Wear shoes you can handle around wet rock.
• Bring a towel and something you can sit on briefly—surfaces can be slick.

This is one of the best reasons to pick the northwest route over a simpler coastal drive.

Seixal and Póça das Lesmas: black sand, slow coastal breaks

After Porto Moniz, the day turns quieter at Seixal, known for a black sand beach. The stop is short, so think of it as a reset: soak in the rock-and-sand contrast, watch the Atlantic, and enjoy a simple beach break.

Then you’ll get another Seixal-area moment at Póça das Lesmas. It’s again about that black sand and the deep blue ocean meeting in a way that feels extra striking. Even with limited time, the scenery here is the point.

What you should bring yourself to this stop:

• A small break from constant viewpoints
• A chance to breathe and take photos where the coast curves

The main downside is obvious: with a short window, you won’t have a full beach day. If you want hours of swimming, this won’t be your beach escape. It’s the photo-worthy, scenery-first stop.

São Vicente and Ribeira da Janela: caves, cliffs, and quick viewpoint hunting

São Vicente shows up in the schedule both as a place to pause and as a stop associated with caves and volcanic formations. Even if you don’t go deep into any interior spaces, the area’s geology gives you a better context for the island’s volcanic story.

Then comes Ribeira da Janela, one of the northwest’s star settings. The itinerary includes multiple short stops around this coastline:

• Ribeira da Janela valley/cliff area
• viewpoints like Mirador Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela and Miradouro Ribeira da Janela
• and a broader sense of coastal edges and rugged views

These are short segments, but they’re the good kind of short. You can walk a bit, take in the cliffs, and still keep the day moving toward more forest and plateau stops.

Practical notes for this part of the day:

• Wear grippy footwear. Cliff zones can mean uneven ground and slick surfaces.
• Expect wind. If you’re sensitive to it, bring a light jacket.
• If clouds roll in, keep checking the view angles. The coast can look totally different from one minute to the next.

Porto Moniz seafront time: soaking in the views without overplanning

You may also see a stop labeled around Jardim da Frente de Mar de Porto Moniz, which is basically a more relaxed viewpoint-and-pools area. This is a nice buffer if you want a slower moment after the main lava pool focus.

I like these kinds of add-on breaks because they give you options: sit, wander a little, take more photos, or just enjoy the Atlantic sound. It’s also a helpful window if you want to re-check your timing before moving on.

Fanal and Laurisilva forest: when mist turns the northwest eerie

Then the trip shifts from coast to forest mood at Fanal. Fanal is tied to the Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the experience is often described as misty, calm, and otherworldly.

Here’s the value for you: you get a break from the dramatic coast while still staying in the northwest theme. It’s still outdoors, still full of Madeira’s character, but softer and more atmospheric.

Because the forest can be misty, pack practical clothing:

• A light layer you can put on fast
• Something windproof if you tend to get cold easily
• Good walking shoes

There’s a forest stop at Posto Florestal Fanal as well, which fits the idea that you’re not just glancing at a tree line—you’re getting time near the misty trails.

Paul da Serra: viewpoints and levada-style walking breaks

Midday and early afternoon brings Paul da Serra, a plateau feel with wide-open views and cooler air depending on conditions. You may stop near Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra and later around Levada do Paul da Serra.

The big win here is perspective. After cliff and beach stops, the plateau gives you a different scale—more sky, more distance, and a sense of how the island changes as you move inland.

What you can do with your limited time:

• Take short walks if the ground is accessible
• Stop for photos at the best overlooks
• Keep an eye on the sky—Paul da Serra can shift fast

A small tip: bring sunglasses even if clouds show up. The light can pop when the mist clears.

Tabua waterfall area and Ponta do Sol village strolls

You’ll also get a Tabua stop tied to a cascading waterfall experience, plus time in Tabua and then later a Ponta do Sol pause.

This is the portion of the day that feels more like rural Madeira life rather than pure geology. Village time helps balance the entire itinerary, because you’re not only looking at rocks and oceans—you’re seeing how people live on the island.

Realistic expectations: these are not long stays. You’re getting a taste—enough to appreciate the charm, not enough to replace a separate village visit.

If you like quick local texture, this part works well.

Lombo do Mouro and Bica da Cana: late-day nature and photo moments

As the day moves toward the end, you’ll get stops connected to Lombo do Mouro and Bica da Cana. These are described as areas good for hiking trails and panoramic viewpoints.

The practical reason these final nature stops matter: they let you finish the day with that Madeira outdoors feeling, not just back-to-back viewpoints. Even if your time is limited, you’ll get at least one chance to stretch your legs and take in a broader, rugged view.

Because these are outdoors and potentially uneven, keep your footwear and stamina in mind. If you’ve already done the lava pool swim and several cliff walks, pace yourself.

Who this tour suits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a single-day route across Madeira’s northwest highlights
• Love geology and natural features (volcanic pools, black sand, cliffs)
• Prefer a guide who helps you understand what you’re seeing
• Like getting multiple photo stops without needing to drive yourself

It’s not ideal if you:

• Want lots of beach time or a long swim session
• Need a relaxed pace with fewer stops
• Have limited mobility and want minimal walking time (some stops involve short walks on uneven ground)
• Don’t want to handle extra paid items like pool admission and lunch

So, should you book the Green Devil Safari Northwest trip?

If you’re choosing between a simple north drive and a guided full-day loop, I’d book this one—especially if you start from Funchal/Caniço or need harbour pickup for a cruise day.

The best reason is the combo: Porto Moniz lava pools + black sand coasts + Ribeira da Janela cliffs + Fanal forest mood. You get variety without doing a logistics puzzle. Add in guides with real warmth and driving skill—people like Luis and Lino have a reputation for keeping things friendly and running smoothly—and the day feels like more than just a checklist.

Just go in knowing the pace is active, lunch is on you, and the pools have extra cost. If that fits your style, it’s an excellent way to see the northwest properly.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 8:30 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 7 hours 30 minutes.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is free in the Funchal area and Caniço, including the Funchal CR7 statue/museum area. If you start from the cruise dock/harbour, there’s an extra €5.00 per person fee. Other areas may have a pickup/drop-off fee.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

Are the Porto Moniz natural swimming pools admission tickets included?

No, Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools admission is not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How big is the group and are there height/weight limits?

The tour has a maximum of 24 travelers. There are limits of 1.90 m maximum height and 120 kgs maximum weight.