Madeira West Coast Tour: Porto Moniz pools & Fanal UNESCO forest

Swim in volcanic pools ringed by black cliffs, then drive into mist-wrapped forest where moss blankets the ground.

An 8-hour open-top jeep tour of Madeira's northwest coast that includes swimming in the volcanic pools of Porto Moniz, hiking through the UNESCO-protected Laurisilva forest at Fanal, and off-road exploration of remote valleys and plateaus. Groups stay under eight people, and pickup from the Funchal area is included. The route avoids the crowded main roads and reaches sites most day-trippers miss.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Madeira's northwest coast

• Travel in open-top jeep
• Swim in Porto Moniz lava pools
• Visit Fanal UNESCO Laurisilva forest
• Hike Levada do Norte trail
• Off-road journey through São Vicente and Estanquinhos
• Relax at Poço das Lesmas natural pool
• Enjoy local cuisine in Porto Moniz
• Visit Serra de Água terraced fields
• View panorama at Eira da Achada
• Explore Paul da Serra plateau
• See Ribeira da Janela river valley
• Walk trails in Lagoa do Fanal volcanic crater
• Stop at Encumeada viewpoint
• Photograph Janela rock formations
• Enjoy Ginjas off-road jeep ride

The Experience

You start in an open-top 4x4 from central Funchal and head northwest toward Porto Moniz, climbing through Serra de Água's terraced hillsides and past the high plateau of Paul da Serra. The jeep stops frequently so you can photograph the coastline, the dramatic rock formations at Ribeira da Janela, and the layered valleys that drop toward the sea. When the weather allows, you swim in Porto Moniz's lava pools—natural basins carved into black rock where the Atlantic meets the shore—and at Poço das Lesmas, a quieter natural pool surrounded by cliffs and vegetation.

The second half takes you inland to Fanal, part of the Laurisilva forest and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The forest often sits under mist, and the ground and tree trunks are blanketed in moss. You walk trails through this subtropical landscape, seeing endemic plants and wildlife that exist nowhere else. The jeep also passes through Ginjas and Estanquinhos, smaller settlements where you can stop for local seafood and traditional Madeiran dishes if you want. The Levada do Norte—an old irrigation channel—runs through some of the route, and you hike sections of it while taking in panoramic views of the island's biodiversity.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or another language and shares the island's history and traditions as you travel. The open-top vehicle means you're exposed to the weather and the road, which is part of the thrill; the small group size—never more than eight—means you stop when someone wants a photo or has a question, and the driver waits at each site instead of rushing you through. Bring swimwear and a camera. Lunch is on your own, and the full day runs eight hours.

What’s included

• Open-top 4x4 jeep for the full day.
• pickup from Funchal area.
• swimming at Porto Moniz and Poço das Lesmas when weather allows.
• hiking and forest trails through the UNESCO Laurisilva at Fanal.
• off-road exploration of remote valleys, plateaus and coastal viewpoints.
• guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or another language.
• small group of up to eight people.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Green Devil Safari

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Madeira's northwest coast and forest in a single day without navigating the roads yourself. The open-top jeep and small group size mean you stop when the view is worth a photo or the landscape invites a closer look, and the route skips the main tourist roads entirely—you reach sites and viewpoints most day-trippers miss.

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Top questions

What's the water like at Porto Moniz's volcanic pools?

Porto Moniz's lava pools are natural basins in black rock where the Atlantic meets the shore. The pools are designed for safe swimming, but conditions vary with tides and sea state, so you follow local warnings on the day. The water is cold and the setting is dramatic—cliffs and rock formations surround the pools.

Will I be hiking much on this tour?

You walk sections of the Levada do Norte trail and explore paths through the Fanal forest, but the hikes are woven into the day rather than the main focus. The jeep does most of the traveling, and you stop to walk when the landscape calls for it. Trails range in difficulty, so your guide can suggest which ones suit your pace.

What is Fanal and why is it worth visiting?

Fanal is part of the Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site on Madeira. It's a subtropical forest home to endemic plants and wildlife found nowhere else on earth. The area often sits under mist, and moss blankets the ground and trees, creating a mysterious, tranquil landscape that looks unlike anywhere else on the island.

How many people will be on the tour?

Groups stay under eight people, so you get personalized attention and the jeep can stop frequently for photos and questions without holding up a large group.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup from the Funchal area and city center is included. If you're staying outside Funchal or need pickup at the cruise dock, there's an extra fee per person; your guide will confirm the details when you book.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a camera, and weather-appropriate clothing—the altitude and mist mean it can be cool and damp, especially at Fanal. Sunscreen and a light jacket are useful. Lunch is not included, so bring snacks or plan to eat at a local restaurant along the route.