Full Day Open Roof 4×4 Unforgettable Northwest of Madeira

The appeal here is clear: one long day links Madeira’s high mountain roads with the island’s wild northwest coast. You pass through Paul da Serra, pause among ancient laurel trees at Fanal, then reach volcanic pools, sea cliffs, and waterfalls near Porto Moniz and Seixal. It is a lot of scenery for $82.82.

I like two things right away. First, the route covers places that are awkward without a car, especially Bica da Cana, Fanal, and the remote coastal viewpoints. Second, free pickup in Funchal and Caniço makes the early start simple. The main concern is important: the open roof may not actually be opened, and Bica da Cana may be skipped, so confirm both before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight hours across Madeira’s northwest: Expect a full day, beginning around 8:30 am and ending back at the starting point.
• Free pickup in Funchal and Caniço: Pickup elsewhere costs from €5 to €20 per person, depending on your location.
• Bica da Cana needs confirmation: It is listed as a stop, but it may be omitted because of weather or operating decisions.
• The open-roof promise is not guaranteed in practice: Ask specifically if the roof will be open on your date.
• Porto Moniz pools cost extra: Admission is about €3, and lunch is not included.
• A large shared operation: The vehicle can carry up to 50 people across the activity, with several 4x4s potentially following the same route.

Why this northwest Madeira route is tempting

Madeira is easy to underestimate on a map. Distances look short, but steep mountains, twisting roads, and deep ravines make cross-island travel slow. This tour gives you a practical way to reach the northwest in one day without renting a car or arranging several separate rides.

The route also has a good visual rhythm. You begin inland, climb toward high viewpoints, enter the old laurel forest, and then descend toward the Atlantic. That change from mountain air to saltwater is the real strength of the day.

The tour is operated by Green Devil Safari. A local guide accompanies the group, and the experience is offered in English. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a particular guide.

The advertised vehicle is an open-roof 4×4. That can make the drive more enjoyable on clear days, especially on narrow mountain roads where you want a wider view for photographs. But this feature deserves a direct question before booking. A detailed account of the operation describes the roof remaining closed for the entire day, even in sunny weather, with much of the route accessible to ordinary vans.

That does not mean every departure will be identical. Weather, road conditions, company practice, and the specific vehicle can all affect the day. Still, the roof is central to the product name and price, so confirm it rather than assuming.

From Funchal to Tabua and Ribeira Brava

Pickup is free from hotels, holiday apartments, and the cruise dock in Funchal and Caniço. The stated meeting point is the Cristiano Ronaldo statue on Avenida Sá Carneiro in Funchal, and the activity returns there at the end.

The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking, with the main departure listed around 8:30 am. That early start matters. You have a long route ahead, and later departures would leave less time at the coast.

Tabua is the first named stop, with about 15 minutes to look around. The name comes from a plant once common in the area. It was used to make mats and the backs of chairs, a small local detail that gives the place more character than a simple photo stop.

Next comes the Ribeira Brava area. The ravine and river valley run down from Madeira’s west-central mountains, showing how sharply the island is cut by water. You will not spend a long time here, but the drive through this region helps explain Madeira’s steep terrain and the way settlements occupy narrow strips between mountain and sea.

These early stops are brief. Think of them as orientation points rather than full visits. If you prefer long walks, museums, or time in one village, this is not that kind of day.

Bica da Cana and the high Paul da Serra plateau

Bica da Cana is one of the most useful stops on the route, at roughly 1,580 meters above sea level. From the viewpoint, you can look across Madeira’s mountain peaks and, on a clear day, toward the São Vicente valley on the north coast.

The view depends heavily on weather. Clouds can cover the mountains with little warning, especially at this height. On a bright day, though, Bica da Cana gives you the broad inland view that many shorter coastal tours miss.

The planned visit is about 15 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not enough for a hike. If Bica da Cana is one of your main reasons for booking, ask the operator in writing if the vehicle will stop there on your date.

This is not a minor issue. One detailed account describes arriving near the area but being told Bica da Cana would not be visited, despite clear conditions at the time. The explanation given involved weather and muddy roads, although the viewpoint can be reached by a substantial paved road. Treat the stop as something to verify, not an absolute guarantee.

The route then crosses Paul da Serra, Madeira’s high plateau. Its flat form is unusual on an island known for sharp peaks and deep valleys. It also plays an important role in collecting and feeding groundwater, since heavy rain can soak into the plateau before running toward the sea.

You may find the plateau less dramatic than the cliffs, but it gives the day a needed change of pace. The open space and high elevation contrast with the enclosed ravines below.

Fanal Forest and the old laurel trees

Fanal is the emotional center of the mountain portion. At the forest post and along Vereda do Fanal, you get around 15 minutes at each listed stop.

The forest is part of Madeira’s Laurisilva, an old laurel-forest type that once covered much more of southern Europe. Madeira preserves the largest surviving area of this forest, and about 90 percent is considered primary forest. Several plants and animals found here are endemic, including the Madeiran long-toed pigeon.

The ancient trees are the attraction. Their twisted trunks and spreading branches create a setting that can feel quiet and strange, especially when mist moves through the branches. On a clear day, the forest is still impressive, but cloud and fog often give it a more atmospheric look.

The short time allowance is the drawback. Fifteen minutes lets you step out, take pictures, and enjoy the trees, but you will not have time for a serious walk. If you want to explore Fanal properly, look for a hiking-focused visit instead of expecting this 4×4 day to provide it.

The two Fanal stops may also feel repetitive if the guide parks in nearby areas. Their value depends on how much walking is included and where the vehicle stops. Wear shoes suitable for damp ground, since forest conditions can be wet even when Funchal is sunny.

Ribeira da Janela and Madeira’s volcanic coast

After the forest, the route heads down toward Ribeira da Janela. The viewpoint and the Ilhéus da Ribeira da Janela area offer short stops, about 10 minutes each, followed by a five-minute stop at another viewpoint.

Ribeira da Janela is tied to one of the island’s largest watercourses. The river cuts through the mountains before reaching the Atlantic, and offshore rock formations rise close to the coast. These dark volcanic shapes are the sort of sight that makes a quick stop worthwhile.

The stops are built for photography rather than exploration. You can take in the cliffs, river mouth, and sea stacks, but do not expect a coastal walk or a long pause beside the water.

This section also reveals one of the tour’s limitations. The route may visit several viewpoints, but each stop is short. If you are happiest moving quickly and collecting different views, that pace works well. If you want time to sit, swim, or study a place, the schedule can feel rushed.

One hour in Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz is the main coastal break, with about one hour in the town and natural swimming-pool area. This is where the volcanic geology becomes useful rather than merely scenic.

The famous pools are formed by seawater enclosed by black lava rock. Waves continue to bring in Atlantic water, while the rock creates calmer bathing areas. Admission is not included and costs approximately €3.

One hour is enough for a quick swim if changing facilities and conditions cooperate, but it is not a generous amount of beach time. You also need to account for walking, changing, and any queue at the entrance. Bring swimwear, a towel, and a small bag that can handle water.

Lunch is not included. You may need to buy food during the Porto Moniz stop, depending on how the guide organizes the day. Do not count on a long restaurant meal, since the route continues along the north coast.

Porto Moniz is one of the more worthwhile parts of the trip because it combines a distinct activity with a major Madeira sight. Still, the extra pool fee and limited time slightly reduce the value for anyone who does not plan to swim.

Poça das Lesmas and Seixal’s swimming area

Poça das Lesmas follows with about 30 minutes. The area has a strong natural setting between mountain slopes and the sea, with volcanic rock shaping the shoreline.

This is a good place to slow down after the quick viewpoints. You can look at the sea, watch the waves work around the rocks, and take photographs without the pressure of a large attraction. Conditions will determine how much access you have to the water.

The Piscinas do Clube Naval do Seixal receives about 10 minutes. It is associated with swimming and water sports, but this brief stop is more of a look than a full swimming session. If you already used your pool time in Porto Moniz, you may prefer to keep this as a photo break.

The northwest coast is often the strongest visual part of the day. The sea sits directly below steep slopes, and waterfalls appear along the rock face after rain. You get a good sense of how little flat ground Madeira has outside its towns.

Véu da Noiva and the ride back

The final named stop is Miradouro do Véu da Noiva, with around 10 minutes. The waterfall drops about 30 meters down the mountain toward the Atlantic, creating the appearance of a white veil, which explains the name.

This is a classic quick-viewpoint stop. You will want your camera ready because the pause is short. The waterfall is especially dependent on recent rain, so its flow can vary.

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Funchal. After eight hours of mountain roads, short walks, and sea stops, the return ride may feel long, particularly if the vehicle roof stays closed and the air inside becomes warm.

What $82.82 really buys you

At $82.82 per person, the price is reasonable if you value transport to several remote parts of the island and do not have access to a car. All listed fees and taxes are included, along with a local guide and free pickup in Funchal or Caniço.

The value becomes weaker if you are paying mainly for the open-roof 4×4 experience. One detailed account describes several company vehicles moving together and arriving at the same stops as vans. That means you may not get the small-group, off-road feel suggested by the vehicle style.

The maximum capacity is listed as 50 people. That does not necessarily mean 50 people in one vehicle, but it does tell you this is a sizable commercial operation rather than a private outing. Ask how many people will be in your vehicle and how many vehicles are expected on your departure.

Pickup charges also affect the real price:

• Machico, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, and the cruise dock cost €5 per person.
• Camacha, Santo da Serra, Jardim da Serra, Calheta, Caniçal, and São Vicente cost €10 per person.
• Ponta Delgada, Faial, and Porto da Cruz cost €15 per person.
• Porto Moniz, Prazeres, Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar, Fajã da Ovelha, and Santana cost €20 per person.

Those fees can make a nearby alternative more attractive, especially for a solo visitor. Compare the final total, not just the headline price.

Who should book this day

I would consider this tour if you are staying in Funchal or Caniço, cannot drive, and want one efficient day covering the northwest. It suits you if short stops, big viewpoints, Fanal Forest, and a possible swim matter more than long walks.

It can also work well early in a Madeira visit. You get a broad look at the island’s interior and north coast, then can decide where you want to return independently.

I would be cautious if the open roof is your main reason for booking. I would also hesitate if Bica da Cana is essential. Confirm both points before booking, and ask how many vehicles will travel together.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book Green Devil Safari?

Book it for the route, not for the promise of a guaranteed open-air adventure. The combination of Bica da Cana, Paul da Serra, Fanal, Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz, Seixal, and Véu da Noiva is strong, especially for someone without a car.

Before paying, send three direct questions: Will Bica da Cana definitely be visited? Will the roof be open if weather is dry? How many people and vehicles will be traveling together?

If the answers are clear and the route matters most, $82.82 can be fair value. If the roof remains closed or Bica da Cana is skipped, a cheaper regular van tour may offer nearly the same sights. The decision turns on those two details.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:30 am. The operator confirms the correct pickup time after booking.

Where does the tour start and end?

The stated meeting point is the Cristiano Ronaldo statue at Avenida Sá Carneiro 27 in Funchal. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is free from hotels, apartments, and the cruise dock in Funchal and Caniço. Pickup from other areas costs an additional fee.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

Does the tour include the Porto Moniz swimming pools?

The tour visits the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools, but admission is not included. The approximate entrance fee is €3.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Tabua, Bica da Cana, Paul da Serra, Fanal, Vereda do Fanal, Ribeira da Janela, Porto Moniz, Poça das Lesmas, Seixal’s naval club swimming pools, and Véu da Noiva.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English and includes a local guide.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.