West Safari – The natural pool Porto Moniz Open Roof Jeeps

Madeira’s west waits, and jeeps help you reach it. I love how this day blends open roof Jeep time with guided stops that feel local, not checklist-y, and then lands you at Porto Moniz natural lava pools. You also get a guide who talks about island life, plus the flora and history behind what you’re seeing.

I especially like the photo-friendly route on old roads, where you keep getting ocean and valley views without feeling rushed. I also like the small “field notes” moments, like when Vítor and other guides stop so you can smell and taste local fruits and wild plants when it fits the day.

One thing to consider: it runs rain or shine, and the open top means weather matters. Bring a layer, and plan for a more rugged, off-road kind of comfort than a smooth bus ride.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Open roof Jeep access to viewpoints you cannot easily reach on your own
• Porto Moniz lava pools for swimming in the natural setting
• Paul da Serra at 1,400 m plus a short levada walk for mountain views
• Fanal Forest stop with guided walking time and scenic breaks
• Waterfalls and Seixal black sand beach to balance the day with variety
• Guide style like Ricardo and Vítor, including humor and plenty of stops for photos

Open roof Jeep energy: what you’re signing up for

This is a classic Madeira west-day format, but the transport changes the whole feel. You’ll be in an open roof Jeep, which means you trade some predictability for better sightlines and a more “in the moment” ride.

You should expect narrow roads and off-road driving that feels safe because the guide controls the pace, but still feels fun. If you like that jolt of seeing the island up close, you’ll probably love it. If you want a super-cushioned, climate-controlled day, you might find it too rough or too exposed.

The good news is you’re not just driving for driving’s sake. Stops are spaced around viewpoints, short walking time, and places where the island’s geology makes sense. When you reach Porto Moniz, the lava pools do not feel random. They feel like the logical payoff to the morning’s mountain and waterfall route.

Also, the guide is actively looking for your interests. They do a short intro at pickup so they can adjust the day as best as possible, which helps if you’re more into photos, nature, or just hearing how locals see their own island.

Pickup and the real meaning of an 8 hour day

The tour runs 8 hours total, and that includes pickup and drop-off. Pickup is available from Funchal (including the cruise terminal option) or from the entrance of your accommodation. Drop-off is back to Funchal or the Cruise Terminal Funchal, so it’s built for people who want a day trip without juggling transport.

Timing-wise, you’re going to feel the full day. You’re moving between multiple parts of the island’s west side: ocean viewpoints, high plateau walking, then down toward Porto Moniz and the coastal spots. It’s not a “sit and snack” kind of outing.

If you want to enjoy it, go in with a simple mindset: layers, camera ready, and comfortable shoes. You’ll have several moments to stop, look, and take photos, but you’ll also have enough driving to make each stop count.

The tour is also rain or shine, which matters for a day like this. In light rain, the drive still works, and the views can still be great. In heavier weather, expect fewer perfect photo moments, but the itinerary still keeps moving.

Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol, and the ocean views that make the drive worth it

After the intro, the day starts by heading toward the coast with stops that show you Madeira the way locals often experience it: by road, by viewpoint, and by looking out over the water.

One of the first standout stops is Ribeira Brava, where you get a view over both the ocean and the town. It’s the kind of stop that helps you understand the island’s shape, because you’re seeing how quickly terrain falls toward the sea.

You also go through Ponta do Sol, including a drive through this village area. This is where the road itself becomes part of the show. If you’ve ever watched movies or seen Madeira postcards, you’ll probably recognize the “downward slope toward the ocean” feeling, and here you’ll see it in real scale.

These early viewpoint breaks are also where the guide’s style becomes useful. You’ll get explanations about the area, and you’ll get time to pull away from the busyness of cruise crowds. Even if your main goal is Porto Moniz lava pools, I’d still treat this morning as your warm-up phase.

Paul da Serra at 1,400 m: the levada walk that stretches your legs

Next comes the high point: Paul da Serra, about 1,400 meters above sea level. This is one of those Madeira moments where the island feels bigger. The valleys and forests drop away below you, and on clear days you can often see far toward the coast.

The tour includes a levada walk of about 30 minutes here. That’s a very workable length for most people: long enough to feel like you walked somewhere real, short enough that you still have energy for the rest of the day.

Levada paths are a big part of how Madeira’s water management works, and even when the tour doesn’t go deep into technical details, you usually come away with the “this island was built to manage water” understanding. And at 1,400 m, you’re not just walking on a path, you’re walking through the island’s weather zones.

Practical tip: because you’re up high, conditions can feel cooler and windier than sea level. Even if the coast is warm, bring a layer. You’ll enjoy the walk more if you’re not fighting the breeze.

Fanal Forest: slow walking, safety briefings, and forest atmosphere

After Paul da Serra, the day heads to Fanal Forest. This is a guided stop that typically includes walking and sightseeing, with safety briefings and time to pause and take in the forest setting.

The forest matters because it adds a different texture to the day. Earlier you had coast and town views, then mountain air and levada walking. Now you’re shifting to a more grounded, nature-focused pace.

You’ll also likely appreciate the way the guide keeps moving but not rushing. The tour is designed with enough breaks that you can step out, look around, and actually register what you’re seeing. That matters in Fanal Forest because it’s not just a “stand and click photos” stop.

One more reason to like this part of the day: it often feels like a break from the open-air driving. You still get dramatic views on the way, but your body gets a chance to switch from car time to foot time.

Porto Moniz natural lava pools: the main payoff

Then comes the moment most people are waiting for: Porto Moniz, with time around the natural lava pools. This is the signature experience because the pools are not built in a generic way. They’re the result of the island’s volcanic geology, and you’ll be surrounded by that dark rock setting while you swim.

Lunch usually happens around here as well. On the day, lunch can be arranged, and the tour typically stops long enough for you to eat and cool down. If you’re hoping for a “spend time in the water” kind of day, Porto Moniz is where it happens.

Be realistic about your expectations. Natural pools can be cooler, and access is part of the charm. If you want an easy, resort-style swim with no effort and no changing vibe, you may prefer a different day plan. But if you want the natural setting and the sense that you found the island’s real rhythm, this is a great target.

I also like how the day sets this as a payoff rather than a random detour. You’ve built context through mountain viewpoints and waterfalls, so Porto Moniz feels earned.

Waterfalls and Seixal black sand: closing the loop on the west

On the way to and through the late part of the day, you’ll see four waterfalls. The drive past some of them includes view moments, and you’ll stop at the fourth one so you can actually experience it.

Waterfalls are one of the easiest Madeira “wow factors,” but the trick is getting the route right. This tour’s value is that it connects waterfalls to the rest of your day instead of treating them as isolated stops.

After that, the tour visits Seixal, including the black sand beach. This is another geology-driven moment. The dark sand makes the island look different from the beaches you might expect elsewhere, and it’s a good contrast after the lava pools and waterfall spray.

If you’re the type who likes variety, this combo is satisfying. You get water from multiple angles, not just one signature attraction repeated all day.

The guide experience: Ricardo, Vítor, and what to look for

What makes this tour work is the guide. You might be with Ricardo Off Road Madeira, and guides like Ricardo and Vítor come up in the experiences people share.

Here’s what you should expect from that style:

• lots of stops for viewpoints and photos
• explanations tied to flora and island history
• humor and a friendly approach that makes the driving feel less intimidating
• moments that encourage you to interact with the island, including stops for local fruits and wild plants when it fits the day

One thing I like about this approach is that it treats your day as flexible. For example, on at least one occasion, the guide adjusted the plan to watch an unexpected classic car mountain rally passing through the route. That’s a sign the guide is paying attention to what’s happening around you, not just following a script.

If you want that kind of personal feel, you’ll likely appreciate the small pauses, the storytelling, and the way the guide keeps checking your interests during the short intro.

Price and value: where $85 really lands

At $85 per person for 8 hours, the price can feel like a lot until you look at what’s included.

You’re getting:

• hotel pickup and drop-off
• 8 hours of driving and guiding service

Food and refreshments are not included, and neither are entry tickets. That means you’re probably spending extra on lunch and drinks, depending on what you choose at Porto Moniz.

But value-wise, this price is mainly paying for:

• the off-road access and planning to reach multiple west-area highlights
• the time investment of getting from place to place safely
• interpretation, like flora and local context, not just vehicle transport

In other words, if you were to DIY this route with separate transport and lots of stopping, the “friction cost” would add up fast. You might save a bit on paper, but you would likely lose the ease of pickup, the off-road reach, and the guide’s context.

If you want to see several different environments in one day, this price starts to look reasonable.

Who this West Safari fits best, and who should skip it

This tour is a good match if you:

• want to see the west side of Madeira efficiently in one day
• like open-air driving and don’t mind some exposure to weather
• enjoy guided nature and local context, not just big photo spots
• want Porto Moniz lava pools plus waterfalls and black sand beach in the same experience

It’s not suitable for pregnant women, and it’s not for children under 2. Also, because it’s rain or shine with off-road driving, if you’re sensitive to uneven terrain or weather exposure, you should think carefully.

Should you book West Safari for Porto Moniz and the natural pools?

I’d book it if your Madeira trip includes the west and you want a guided day that mixes driving, short walks, and several nature-focused stops. The open roof Jeep makes the scenery feel immediate, and Porto Moniz is a strong payoff at the end of a full day.

Skip or choose a calmer alternative if you want predictable comfort, weather-proof touring, or if your group needs a fully flat, easy pace. This is Madeira, up close, with real roads and real outdoor time.

If you’re planning ahead, pack for shifting conditions, wear comfortable shoes for the levada and forest walking, and bring an appetite for lots of viewpoints. For many first-timers, this is the kind of day that turns Madeira from an itinerary into a memory.

FAQ

How long is the West Safari tour?

The tour lasts 8 hours total, including pickup and drop-off from your accommodation.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is available from Funchal or from the Cruise Terminal Funchal. The driver can meet you at the entrance of your accommodation or at the cruise terminal.

What time do you get back?

Drop-off is back in Funchal or at the Cruise Terminal Funchal, depending on which option you choose.

What languages are offered by the guide or driver?

The driver guides in English, French, and Portuguese.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with 8 hours of driving and guiding service.

What is not included?

Entry tickets and personal expenses are not included. Food and refreshments are also not included.

Is the tour canceled if it rains?

No. The tour runs rain or shine.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothes. The open roof style also means you should dress for outdoor weather.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, and it is not suitable for children under 2 years old.

What cancellation options are available?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.