Why choose this Funchal tour ?

Customize your 4WD tour, discovering and admiring the great and unique landscapes from the west side of Madeira. This is a private tailored experience, where you will make your own program just your family/friends in the car.
Your guide will give you some options of places that you can visit, since wine tasting at Barbusano, São Vicente caves, a little hike at a water aqueducts “levada walk”, swim at the natural pools, traditional lunch, UNESCO forest, you have a lot to choose, but in 8 hours you just see a tiny part of the West.
Our guide will tell you intersting facts from Madeira, history, culture, gastronomy, fauna & flora, hidden places just known from the locals, passing at off road beaten track and the old roads.
This tour is not shared with other clients. Group Maximum: 8 travelers



Make the most of your Funchal adventure

What makes Full Day Private 4×4 Tour in West Madeira with Local Guide a unique experience ?

Serra de Água’s name is derived from the historical construction of a watermill used for sawmilling, that was named serra de água, and later became applied to the entire parish. Wood was the first of livelihood and income for the early settlers to Madeira, and due to the abundance of vegetation in Serra de Água the sawmills, commercial exportation of wood was very profitable.

A new road traverses the 1004 m high Encumeada pass. Starting in Ribeira Brava at the south coast, the road winds up to Serra d’Água (which was the island’s first water power station) and arrives at the top of the valley giving incredible views of both the south and the north coast.

Most of the rustic manor houses go back to the XVIII century, a time of economic relief and comfort, due to the good fortunes of viticulture. These gigantic houses were very ostentatious and consisted of two levels: on the first floor the winepress, the agricultural implements and the products of the harvests were kept; the second floor was the noble part of the house and the access was made through an outdoor staircase.

Its highest point is the peak pico do Paul at 1,640 metres (5,380 ft) from where you can admire the length of the entire plateau. On days with good visibility, both the south and north coasts are visible.

Almost all the walk is done side by side with the levada, that most of the times is littered with water. Make some breaks along the way and enjoy nature and the entire surrounding this tour offers.

Occasionally you can find a few cows along the way that, despite being familiar with human presence, you should pay attention and be cautious when passing near them.

There are parts where the path is open, offering hikers the opportunity to appreciate the grandeur and magnificence of the landscape. Other parts of the trail are closed and covered up by the magnificent and lush vegetation of Laurissilva’s forest, delighting visitors with its freshness and abundance.

Along the way there are several viewpoints that reveal a set of beautiful landscapes, highlighting the view over the valley of Ribeira da Janela and Chão da Ribeira.

The formation of three high rocks with a characteristic shape protrudes from the sea near the mouth of the longest river on the island. You can watch it from the beach.

The natural pools at Porto Moniz have been created by nature. A natural pool basin formed of volcanic rocks is filled with crystalline oceanic salt water. Bathing here is pleasant because the water is warmer than in the open Atlantic Ocean. At the same time, the water condition is very good thanks to the natural circulation. Sometimes you can meet there with big waves.
price nearly €3.00

visit the fortress, natural pools and the aquarim
The extensive promenade stretches from Madeira Aquarium to natural seafront pools. Adjacent to the promenade is a children’s playground, a garden with ocean views and several restaurants.

With a breathtaking landscape — the green cliffs and mountains of the island’s north coast — this unsupervised beach offers its visitors access to the toilet facilities, showers and the bar of Clube Naval do Seixal Pools, right next to it, which is a free access facility with a natural pool and sun loungers.

These caves were discovered by the local population in 1885. Fascinated, they disclosed their finding, which deserved the attention of James Yates Johnson, an Englishman who worked out a project to make good use of them.

A truly amazing walk through the entrails of the earth during which you will be able to admire volcanic stalactites, lava accumulations, known as ‘lava cakes’, and the ‘erratic block’ (a stone carried by the lava that got stuck in one of the lava channels because of its dimensions). An experience not to be missed!
price €8.00

Another great free access option for a swim are the crystal-clear waters of the volcanic natural pools called ‘Poças das Lesmas’, a quiet and sheltered place that has a bar, as well as toilet and shower facilities.

This is precisely the stunning scenery of one of the most popular beaches in this parish, Porto do Seixal Beach, a natural black sand beach located right next to Seixal harbour.

The archipelago includes the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Desertas, administered together with the separate archipelago of the Savage Islands. The region has political and administrative autonomy through the Administrative Political Statute of the Autonomous Region of Madeira provided for in the Portuguese Constitution. The autonomous region is an integral part of the European Union as an outermost region. Madeira generally has a very mild and moderated subtropical climate with mediterranean summer droughts and winter rain. There are many microclimates courtesy of the elevation changes.

Ponta do Pargo is a diamond-shape territory on the western edge of the island Madeira. From its high-altitude cliffs it extends into the interior along escarpments cut by several river valleys to the Serra do Paul.

Tour Description & Additional Info:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult


Options To Choose for Your Trip:

  • private full day up to 6 pax
    Add
    Duration: 7 hours
    4WD
    Pickup included

Full Day Private 4×4 Tour in West Madeira with Local Guide Inclusions:

Included with Your Ticket

  • Driver/guide

Trending Funchal Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out

Special Instructions:

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Dress code is smart casual comfortable footwear recommended
    • Not wheelchair accessible

    Please be advised..

  • This Tour is Provided by Green Devil Safari.
  • Tour Timezone & Starts at Atlantic/Madeira.
  • Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 11 valid reviews on VIATOR.
  • Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
  • Maximum 8 Travelers is accepted for booking.