Madeira: Porto Moniz 4x4 Jeep Safari & Natural Pools

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (63 reviews) 98% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationLikely to sell out

1/42

Duration8h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · PT +2

PickupAt your hotel

An Open Jeep Through Madeira's Hidden Valleys, Ending in Natural Pools

You ride in an open jeep through Madeira's remote northwest, climbing to a mountain plateau at 1,500 meters with stops for photos and a levada walk if weather permits. Lunch and a swim happen in Porto Moniz's natural volcanic pools, then you descend the north coast past waterfalls and coastal villages before finishing with a homemade poncha. Hotel pickup and the private jeep are included; lunch and the levada walk are optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northwest Madeira 4x4 Safari Tour

Transfer from accommodation in UMM jeep
Relaxed safari tour on old roads and off-road
Explore Ribeira Brava village and take photos
Cross Tabua and Lugar de Baixo with photo stops
Stop for coffee at local bar
Climb from sea level to Paul da Serra plateau
Optional levada walk or Fanal Forest walk
Cross Madeiran tundra plateau with photo stops
Enjoy views of Seixal, São Vicente, and surroundings
Stop for photos at scenic viewpoints
Lunch and swim at Porto Moniz natural pools
Return via north coast villages and waterfalls
Stop to contemplate waterfalls
Finish with homemade Poncha drink

The Experience

There's something about climbing into an open-top UMM—an old Portuguese army jeep—that shifts how you see a place. You're not behind glass; you're in it. The driver knows the old roads, the ones that don't appear on most maps, and he's taking you northwest into the kind of landscape that makes you understand why people move to islands and never leave. Cliffs, waterfalls dropping straight into the sea, villages so small they feel like secrets. The jeep holds up to eight people, but the pace is unhurried—stops for photos, explanations about what you're seeing, a coffee break in a local bar where the owner knows the driver by name.

The morning unfolds along the southwestern coastline near Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol, then climbs. You're going from sea level to about 1,500 meters on Paul da Serra, the only plateau in Madeira, sometimes called the "Madeiran tundra." The road itself is part of the experience—old asphalt, then off-road, winding through remote valleys. If the weather holds, there's an optional 30- to 40-minute levada walk (a traditional irrigation channel walk) or a forest walk at Fanal, depending on conditions. The driver adapts; it's improvised by design, which means every trip is different. You'll see wildlife, cattle grazing quietly, views across volcanic valleys formed during the island's third phase of eruptions. The plateau crossing takes about 45 minutes, with several stops to take it in.

Around midday you reach Porto Moniz, where you stop for two hours. Lunch isn't included in the price, but it's highly recommended—there are restaurants in the village. The real draw is the natural volcanic swimming pools, fed by the ocean but sheltered by rock formations. You swim, or you explore the village on foot. Either way, it's a genuine pause. The afternoon route back doesn't retrace the mountain roads; instead you travel the north coast, passing through villages like Ribeira da Janela, Seixal, and São Vicente, where waterfalls drop from the cliffs all the way to the sea. You'll stop to photograph them, maybe swim again if you want. The tour ends with a homemade poncha—a traditional Madeiran drink—which feels like the right punctuation mark.

Bring a bathing suit and towel. Bring a jacket too; the altitude means temperature shifts. The jeep has a cover for weather, so rain won't stop the tour, just change what you see. If you're staying in Funchal, Garajau, or Caniço, you can swap this northwest route for the southwest, northeast, or southeast instead. Hotel pickup is included; the driver collects you and returns you at the end of the day.

What’s included

Private hotel pickup and return.
full-day transportation in an open UMM jeep with a cover for weather.
stops at viewpoints, villages, and photo opportunities along the northwest coast and Paul da Serra plateau.
an optional 30- to 40-minute levada walk or Fanal Forest walk (weather permitting).
two hours in Porto Moniz with access to natural volcanic swimming pools.
a homemade poncha drink at the end of the tour. Lunch in Porto Moniz is optional and not included in the price.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for back problems

Operated by Miguel Is Here

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Madeira's remote valleys, plateaus, and waterfalls in one day without renting a car or planning the route yourself—the private jeep and driver handle navigation, timing, and the flexibility to stop whenever something catches your eye.