Funchal West Tour: Waterfalls, Natural Pools & Cabo Girão

Waterfalls and Ocean Swings: A Day Through Madeira's Wild West Coast

You'll visit five distinct stops across Madeira's western coast: a working fishing village, a glass cliff walkway, forest trails, ocean swings and volcanic pools beneath a waterfall. Lunch is included at the main swimming stop, and the tour handles all the driving and timing, so you only have to show up and move between places. Entrance fees for Cabo Girão and the natural pools are separate, but everything else is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore coastal villages and natural wonders

• Visit Câmara de Lobos fishing village
• Walk the glass walkway at Cabo Girão
• Explore the sunniest village and pier
• Relax at ocean viewpoint with swings
• Walk through mystical forest
• See massive natural rock formations
• Lunch and swim in volcanic pools
• View majestic waterfall by ocean

The experience

There's something about standing at the edge of a glass walkway 580 meters above the Atlantic that makes you stop thinking and just look. Cabo Girão does that: the platform stretches out over nothing but air and water, and for a moment you forget you're on a tour at all. But that's not where the day starts. It begins in Câmara de Lobos, a fishing village where the boats are painted in colors that seem too bright to be real, and the fishermen are still there doing what they've done for centuries. You'll see the cliffs rise up behind the bay, the houses stacked like a child's blocks along the shore, and understand why this corner of Madeira feels separate from everywhere else.

The route moves through the island's quieter side: a village they call the sunniest spot, where the buildings are painted in pastels and the pier juts into views that stretch for miles. There's a stop with swings that hang over the ocean, the kind of thing that sounds silly until you're sitting in one and realizing you're suspended above nothing. Then comes the forest. It's not dramatic or loud. It's the opposite. Ancient trees, paths that wind without hurrying, the sound of things you can't quite see. You walk through it at your own pace, and it's the kind of quiet that makes you understand why people come to Madeira to think. The natural rock formations nearby are sculpted by weather and time into shapes that don't need a name to be impressive.

The swimming happens at volcanic pools fed by a waterfall that drops straight into the ocean. This is where the tour pauses for lunch. You eat, then you step into water that's cold and clear and tastes like salt. The waterfall is right there, massive and real, and afterward there's a small shop where locals sell things they've made. It's not a rushed moment. It's built into the day. The whole thing runs around eight hours from Funchal, with WiFi on the bus so you can send photos if you want, though most people just watch the coast change as you drive back.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal, transport in a coach with WiFi on board, lunch at the natural pools stop, booster seats for children if needed, and access to all viewpoints, forest walks, and the swimming area. Entrance fees for Cabo Girão glass walkway and the volcanic natural pools are paid separately on arrival at each site.

Information

Lasts 7h 30m, runs every day at 08:00 and 08:30, from € 39 per person, with a live guide in English and Portuguese, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Saturday: 08:00 and 08:30Sunday: 08:00

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and PortugueseOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Madeira Surreal

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see the quieter, wilder side of Madeira in one day without renting a car or planning stops: the fixed route covers five different landscapes and a swim, which is what makes a full west-coast day possible in the time you have.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the tour price?

Transport from Funchal, WiFi on board, lunch at the natural pools stop, and access to all viewpoints and forest walks. Entrance fees for Cabo Girão glass walkway and the volcanic pools are paid separately on the day.

How long is the tour?

Around eight hours total, including driving time and stops.

Can I swim if I don't want to?

Yes. The natural pools are a major stop, but swimming is optional. You can stay on shore or in the nearby area while others swim.

Is there food included?

Lunch is included at the natural pools stop. There's also a souvenir shop nearby, and the village stops have local cafés if you want to buy something extra.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and water. The forest walk is easy, but wear shoes with grip. Bring a light jacket. It can be cooler in the forest and on the coast.

Do I need to book the entrance fees in advance?

No. You pay for Cabo Girão and the natural pools directly on the day when you arrive at each stop.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour runs in most weather. Forest walks and viewpoints are accessible in light rain, but heavy weather may affect visibility or safety. Contact the operator if conditions are severe.