Madeira’s northwest feels like a secret movie set. This 8-hour open-top 4×4 safari stitches together coastline, high plateaus, and the Laurisilva Fanal Forest—plus a proper swim stop. I like that you get a full day without the usual hopscotch planning stress, and I especially like the built-in mix of photo stops and actual time outdoors.

The big drawback to weigh is comfort and safety fit. An open jeep means wind and sun can be real, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems, plus there’s a weight limit of 287 lb / 130 kg.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Porto Moniz natural swimming pools: a full hour to swim and reset
• Fanal Forest guided stroll: short, focused walk through ancient Laurisilva
• Paul da Serra viewpoints above the clouds: high-altitude scenes and wildlife/plant spotting
• Open-top 4×4 roads: real off-the-beaten-path driving (you’ll feel it)
• Seixal + São Vicente area stops: coastal villages and another volcanic-pool swim moment
• Small-group energy: reviews point to a smoother pace when groups stay tight

From Funchal to the northwest in an open-top 4×4

This is a classic Madeira format: start in the busy south, then spend the day working your way toward the island’s wilder northwest. You begin with hotel pickup in Funchal center and then join an open-top 4×4 jeep safari run by Green Devil Safari. If you want the day to feel like you’re moving through different Madeira “worlds” rather than just sightseeing from the road, this is the right shape of tour.

The first thing you’ll notice is the driving style. Reviews repeatedly mention narrow roads and the fun factor of the jeep itself—open sides mean you see more, but you also feel the wind. It’s one of those tours where you’ll be glad you came with a practical attitude: hats help, sunglasses help, and you’ll want sunscreen ready before you start stacking stops.

Good drivers and guides matter here. The tour is led by guides who range across languages (English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and German), and people specifically call out driver/guide names like Diego, Jorge, Pedro, and Ruan. That matters because the route is full of quick turns, viewpoints, and short story stops. When the guide is strong, you get context instead of just scenery.

A note on group pace

This tour offers private or small groups. When the group is small, it’s easier to keep timing sensible, take photos without sprinting, and actually have a moment at viewpoints.

Ribeira da Janela: the quick start that sets the tone

Your day kicks off with a photo stop and guided tour around Ribeira da Janela. Even if this isn’t the biggest stop on the schedule, it does something important: it gets you warmed up to Madeira’s dramatic north-coast look—steep slopes, coastal curves, and those sudden viewpoints where the island drops away fast.

There’s also a safety briefing early on. You’re in an open vehicle, so you’ll want to pay attention right away. After that, you’re off for the long scenic push northwest.

What to watch for

Keep an eye on how the guide positions the jeep at stops. In this region, “good viewing spot” isn’t always obvious from the road, and a good driver will know where you can get a safer, cleaner angle for photos.

Porto Moniz natural swimming pools: the day’s best reset

Porto Moniz is the big payoff. You get a guided visit plus an hour of free time at the natural volcanic swimming pools. This is the kind of stop you plan the day around—geology that turned into a swimming place, right by the sea.

What I like about this setup is that it’s not just a look-and-leave. You actually get time to do something with the pools, and the route structure supports it. You’re out early enough that you can enjoy the water time without the day feeling wrecked by it.

Practical swim reality

Bring swimwear and a towel. The tour explicitly tells you to pack those, and that’s because you won’t just dabble. Also bring sunscreen—north Madeira sun can still hit, especially when you’re in and out of open-air driving.

One more detail: food and drinks aren’t included in the price. So if you want snacks or something to go with the water time, plan for it. The schedule suggests an option for lunch or local snacks later around the area, but you should assume you’ll pay for meals yourself.

The view while you swim

Even when you’re focused on the water, the contrast is part of the experience: volcanic rock + calm pool sections. It’s a different look than typical beaches, and it’s one reason Porto Moniz often becomes the “everyone remembers this” stop.

Seixal and São Vicente: villages, coast, and another swim moment

After Porto Moniz, the tour keeps sliding you through the north coast character—Seixal and the São Vicente area. The schedule includes guided time and walking moments at Seixal, plus a photo stop and break in the São Vicente region.

Seixal is especially appealing because you get another chance at Piscina natural do Seixal with a short walk and visit. It’s not just a repeat stop; it gives you a second volcanic-pool setting with a different village mood around it.

Why I like this pairing

A lot of Madeira tours chase one highlight and call it a day. Here, you get contrast: pools in one spot, then pools and village texture elsewhere. You’ll also get a sense of how people live with the coastline instead of just passing through it at speed.

Fit check

If you’re the type who loves photo angles and short guided walks, this is a good portion of the day. If you prefer long uninterrupted beach time, you might feel the “on-the-go” rhythm—though the pool time is still decent.

Paul da Serra and Serra de Água: above-the-clouds feelings

Now for the part where the scenery flips. The tour includes Serra de Água and Paul da Serra, with viewpoints and photo stops like Miradouro da Encumeada and Miradouro da Encumeada-type vantage points. You’ll also hit Eira da Achada viewpoint and similar pull-offs.

This is where Madeira starts to feel less like a coastline and more like an island with high weather and high views. You’re seeing those moments people describe as being over the cloud layer—you don’t just look at the island; you feel the elevation.

Wildlife and plants, not just scenery

One of the tour’s stated draws is spotting diverse flora and fauna up at the high plateau. Even if you don’t become a plant detective overnight, you’ll notice how the vegetation changes when you climb. It’s one reason this route feels like more than a drive—it’s a guided tour of different “Madeira climates.”

Weather can change fast

A few reviews mention windy weather, with one person noting the vehicle stayed warm. That’s consistent with open-top jeep days: wind is real, but the jeep ride doesn’t automatically mean freezing. Still, you might want to plan for variable conditions because viewpoints at height can feel different than town.

Fanal Pond and the approach to the Laurisilva

As you near the Fanal area, the stops start getting more focused. You’ll have a Fanal Pond photo stop and then a series of short scenic points, including a secret stop and viewpoints connected to the Fanal region.

Then you get the highlight that many people book this day for: Fanal Forest.

Why the lead-in matters

These in-between stops do two things:

• They break up the driving without wasting time.
• They help you arrive already in the mood for the walk, not just dropped at a random trailhead.

Fanal Forest: the guided walk through ancient Laurisilva

This is where the tour turns calm. You get a guided walk through Fanal Forest with a stop time listed around 20 minutes, plus additional brief viewpoints in the Fanal area like places associated with the witch tree and vereda-style paths.

You’ll be walking in the Laurisilva de Madeira, an ancient forest environment. This is not the kind of walk where you need to be fast or conquering trails. It’s more about paying attention: tree shapes, misty-feeling air, and the sense that you’re stepping into a long-lived ecosystem.

Reviews give you a clue about the tone. People love the day largely because the guide stories and the driving route go together. Names like George and Ruan show up in reviews as the type of guides who make the island’s farming and land-use stories feel real. In a forest like this, that storytelling adds a layer: you’re not just looking at trees; you’re learning why the landscape matters.

What to do for the best experience

Wear comfortable walking shoes. You’ll have a mix of vehicle time and short walking sections, and the forest areas can be uneven. If you want photos, try for the moments right as you step onto view spots or trail edges—standing still for a minute here can be more worthwhile than rushing through the walk.

The short stop game: viewpoints, waterfalls, and photo breaks

One reason this tour feels packed (in a good way) is how many short stops it uses. You’ll hit viewpoints like Véu da Noiva Viewpoint, Bica da Cana viewpoint, and more, plus a waterfall stop like Cascata Água d’Alto and additional scenic points tied to Paul da Serra and Ribeira da Janela.

Even when each stop is only a minute or a few, these are the moments that make Madeira look like it has no off switch. You get the “wait, that’s incredible” views without needing to book multiple separate excursions.

A practical tip: don’t treat them like speed rounds

If a stop is only one minute on the schedule, still take 20 seconds to look up and around. Many of the most dramatic views show up when you angle your head away from what you first notice.

Price and value for an 8-hour jeep loop from Funchal

At $74 per person for about 8 hours, this is priced like a true full-day excursion rather than a quick half-day photo tour. The value comes from what’s included, not just what’s seen.

What you get included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal
• An open-top 4×4 jeep safari
• A tour guide (multiple languages)
• Insurance, a first aid kit, and local taxes

What’s not included:

• Food and drinks

So where does the money go? Mostly into access. Getting to the north-coast pool stops, the high plateau viewpoints, and the Fanal forest walking area in one day—using open 4×4 roads—takes driving time and route planning. If you tried to DIY this with the same number of stops, you’d spend a lot of time on transport logistics, parking, and figuring out the best angles.

Is it worth it if you hate crowds?

The tour can be private or small groups, and reviews often mention small-group comfort. If you want more breathing room, this is a good fit compared with big-bus day trips.

Who should budget for extra costs

Because meals aren’t included, plan for water/snacks and any lunch you choose. The schedule suggests lunch or local snacks as an option around the Porto Moniz area, but you should assume you’ll pay for what you eat.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

I’d book this tour if you want:

• A one-day northwest sweep with both driving fun and multiple scenic stops
• A real swim break at volcanic pools (Porto Moniz and Seixal)
• A guided day where someone explains what you’re seeing, not just where you should stand for photos
• The ability to handle an active day with short walks and lots of viewpoint time

I’d think twice if:

• You have back problems or anyone in your group is pregnant (not suitable per the tour info)
• Anyone exceeds 287 lb / 130 kg (weight limit)
• You really dislike wind/open-air vehicles—open-top jeeps are part of the charm, but it’s not a lounge experience

A fun bonus: reviews mention that some people had off-road riding and even when weather was windy, the vehicle stayed warm. That’s the kind of “it’s still enjoyable” detail that helps you keep expectations realistic.

Book it or skip it: my decision guide

Book this tour if you want Madeira’s north in one efficient day and you’re excited by the mix of volcanic pools + high views + forest walk. The strongest selling points are the pool time (Porto Moniz gets a full hour), the guided Fanal Forest stroll, and the fact that the vehicle lets you go off the beaten path without you steering on Madeira’s tougher roads.

Skip it if your dream day is mostly relaxed beach time, not driving plus short stops. Also skip if comfort constraints apply, since the open-top format and suitability rules are real.

If you’re flexible, pack swimwear, towel, and sunscreen, keep your bag small (no large luggage), and treat the quick viewpoint stops as mini experiences instead of rushing past them. Do that, and this $74 day can feel like far more than one long ride.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Funchal jeep tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a tour guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal, an open-top 4×4 jeep safari, insurance, local taxes, and a first aid kit.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though lunch is listed as optional during the day.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. There’s swimming time at the Porto Moniz natural swimming pools and also time at the Seixal natural pool area.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes.

Is there a luggage limit?

Yes. Large bags or luggage are not allowed.

What languages are offered for the guide?

The tour guide is available in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and German.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It’s not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people over 287 lb / 130 kg.

If you tell me your travel month and whether you want more swimming time or more forest/photography time, I can help you decide if this route matches your style.