Private Land Rover Tour Madeira: Porto Moniz & Volcanic Pools

Drive offroad to hidden spots and swim in volcanic pools without a schedule

A private Land Rover tour of western Madeira for up to two passengers, with a driver who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or Dutch. You choose the pace and stops as you move through black sand beaches, UNESCO-protected Laurel Forest, volcanic rock pools for swimming, and a 500-year-old forest that supplies the island's water. Pickup is included. Bring a picnic or eat at local restaurants along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore western Madeira's highlights

• Visit tourist and secret spots
• Swim at black sand beach and volcanic pools
• Stop at quaint coffee shop
• Explore picturesque fishing village
• Visit Fanal Forest with ancient trees
• Swim or have coffee at volcanic rock pools

The experience

The Land Rover is yours alone with a maximum of two passengers plus the driver, so there's no negotiating stops or waiting for a group to catch up. You set the rhythm: linger at the volcanic rock pools in Porto Moniz as long as you want, or move on to the fishing village and its pebble beach whenever you're ready. The route covers both the well-known western spots and the secret offroad tracks locals use, all without a clock or a timed itinerary hanging over the day.

The black sand beach sits below a UNESCO-protected Laurel Forest, an ancient woodland with trees that are living fossils. A small coffee shop overlooks the volcanic rock pools where you can swim or just sit with a drink and look up at the forest canopy. From there, the tour takes you to Fanal Forest, where some trees have stood for 500 years and the forest itself feeds the island's water supply. Porto Moniz itself is a working fishing village with typical restaurants and a quieter pace than the tourist beaches on the south coast.

Drinks are included. You can bring your own picnic to merge with the landscape, or stop at one of the numerous cafes and restaurants scattered through the western half of the island. The full day runs between six and nine hours depending on where you choose to spend time. A guide fluent in your language drives, navigates the offroad sections, and knows which spots most visitors miss.

What’s included

• Pickup.
• drinks.
• a private Land Rover with driver for the full day.
• access to offroad tracks on the western side of Madeira.
• stops at Porto Moniz volcanic pools, the black sand beach, a fishing village, and Fanal Forest.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mad Bee Adventures

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so it suits travelers who want to set their own pace and skip the fixed schedules and group waits that come with shared departures. You decide how long to linger at each stop, whether to swim or just have coffee, and when to move on. The driver navigates and knows the offroad routes, but the day is yours to shape.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What is Porto Moniz and why is it on this tour?

Porto Moniz is a working fishing village on Madeira's northwest coast, famous for its volcanic rock pools where you can swim while looking up at the UNESCO-protected Laurel Forest. The pools are the centerpiece of the western tour, with a coffee shop overlooking them.

Can I swim during the Land Rover tour?

Yes. The volcanic rock pools at Porto Moniz are a main stop where you can swim, and you'll have time to do it at your own pace since there are no fixed stop durations. Bring a swimsuit and towel.

What is the Fanal Forest and how long do we spend there?

Fanal Forest is an ancient woodland on the western side of Madeira where some trees are over 500 years old. It supplies much of the island's water. How long you spend there is up to you. The tour has no timed stops, so you can explore as much or as little as you want.

How many people fit in the Land Rover?

The vehicle holds a maximum of two passengers plus the driver, so you and one travel companion have the entire Land Rover to yourselves with no other tourists sharing the space.