Madeira West: Jeep 4x4 Day Trip, Natural Pools & Waterfalls

Summary

Jeep adventure from funchal to porto moniz pools with mountain climbs and village stops

You’ll ride off-road from Funchal through fishing villages, banana terraces, mountain plateaus, and forest valleys before swimming in Porto Moniz’s volcanic pools. Taste local poncha in hidden bars and feel the island’s wild weather shift around you—all with a local guide driving and lunch included. It’s not just sightseeing; you’ll feel part of Madeira’s rhythm for a day.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bouncing along this narrow track above Câmara de Lobos when I realized how much I’d underestimated Madeira’s west side. Our driver João slowed so we could watch an old fisherman untangle nets by the bay—he waved, grinning, then pointed us toward a tiny bar for poncha. I tried to order it in Portuguese (badly), but the bartender just laughed and poured anyway. It tasted sharp and sweet at once—like citrus and sugarcane fighting in my mouth. The air smelled salty, mixed with something green from the banana terraces climbing up behind the village.

After that, everything got steeper. The Jeep crawled up toward Cabo Girão’s glass platform—my stomach did a weird flip when I looked down through my shoes at the sea 580 meters below. João told us about families who still work these cliffs for bananas and vegetables, which honestly seems impossible if you see the angle. We rattled through eucalyptus forests and misty stretches of Paul da Serra plateau where sheep wandered right across our path (one stared at me like it knew something I didn’t). The wind up there was cold, almost biting even in June, but suddenly we’d drop down into sun again near Fanal or Ribeira da Janela—where you catch glimpses of the ocean far below.

I didn’t expect to love Porto Moniz as much as I did. The natural pools are volcanic rock filled with seawater—cold at first dip but then perfect after all that dust and sun. Lunch was simple grilled fish; nothing fancy but it tasted like someone actually cared about it. Later we stopped at Seixal’s black sand beach, where a waterfall spills straight onto the shore. Kids were shrieking every time a wave hit them—I stood there letting black sand stick between my toes while João pointed out vineyards clinging to impossible cliffs overhead. It’s hard to explain how blue everything felt there.

The last stop was some tiny bar in Serra de Água for another poncha (I’m not sure if it’s medicine or just an excuse for locals to gossip). By then everyone was half sunburned and laughing about who got splashed most in the pools. There’s no way to see all this by bus or car—you need someone like João who knows which roads are open or washed out, and who’ll stop when you want to take one more photo of a goat standing on a roof (it happened). Sometimes I still think about that view from Cabo Girão—the sea so far down it almost didn’t look real.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jeep tour to natural pools and viewpoints

• Visit Câmara de Lobos fishing village
• See sea and plantations from cliff
• View from Cabo Girão glass platform
• Drive from sea level to Paul da Serra
• Explore Paul da Serra plateau
• View valley of Rabaçal and 25 fountains start
• Stop at famous island waterfall
• Pass through small village São Vicente
• View mountains and waterfall for photo
• Lunch and swim at Porto Moniz natural pools
• Visit natural pools at Vila do Seixal
• See volcanic black sand beach at Seixal
• Stop at Serra de Água for local drink
• Drop-off in Funchal

Top questions

How long does the Madeira West Jeep 4x4 tour last?

The tour is a full-day trip starting from Funchal with multiple stops before returning in the evening.

Is swimming included during this Jeep day trip?

Yes, there are stops for swimming in the natural pools of Porto Moniz Village and Seixal Village.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, lunch is included during the stop at Porto Moniz Village.

Are hotel pickups available for this Madeira Jeep tour?

Yes, pickup is included from your accommodation in Funchal.

What should I bring for swimming at Porto Moniz?

You should bring swimwear and a towel if you want to swim in the natural pools.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and specialized infant seats are available upon request.

Do we visit Cabo Girão glass platform on this trip?

Yes, there is a stop at Cabo Girão with time to experience its glass viewpoint over the sea cliffs.

What kind of vehicle is used on this day trip?

The tour uses 4x4 Jeeps capable of handling off-road mountain paths across Madeira's west coast.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Funchal, all Jeep transport along mountain roads and coastal tracks, entry to both Porto Moniz and Seixal natural pools for swimming breaks, plus a traditional lunch during your stop in Porto Moniz village—all guided by a local driver who knows every twist of Madeira’s west side before dropping you back in town at sunset.