Shore Excursion – East Madeira Peaks & Santana

The best part of this day is the change of scenery. You leave Funchal and climb into Madeira’s eastern mountains, passing forest roads, high viewpoints, traditional Santana houses, and Pico do Arieiro, often the grand finale. The open-top 4×4 gives the ride a safari feel, especially on rougher mountain roads.

I like the mix of quick viewpoints and real village stops. I also like the small-group format, listed as up to eight people in the vehicle, because it should feel more personal than a large coach tour. The main caution is the seating: vehicle layouts can vary, and some passengers have described cramped rear benches and no seatbelts. Ask exactly what vehicle and seat you will receive before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Pico do Arieiro is the high point: The final mountain stop can deliver some of Madeira’s most dramatic views, weather permitting.
• The route covers many sides of eastern Madeira: You see Machico, Porto da Cruz, Faial, Santana, Ribeiro Frio, and the mountain interior in one long day.
• The open-top 4×4 is part of the fun: It adds fresh air, height, and a rough-road adventure, but it may not suit anyone who needs a smooth, spacious ride.
• Small groups are promised: The vehicle group is described as up to eight, though the overall activity may reach 24 people, possibly in several jeeps.
• Lunch costs extra: Vegetarian and vegan choices are available, but you should budget for the meal separately.
• Pickup fees depend on your location: Funchal and Caniço pickup is free, while other areas can cost from €5 to €20 per person.

Why this eastern Madeira route works

At $82.21 per person, this is priced as a full-day island outing rather than a short port transfer. You get roughly eight hours, a driver-guide, cruise-terminal pickup and drop-off, and a route that would be difficult to cover efficiently without a vehicle.

I see the value in the variety. You are not spending the whole day at one famous viewpoint. Instead, the route links a coastal town, mountain lookouts, a traditional village, a forest park, and a high peak. That gives you a useful first look at eastern Madeira, especially if you have only one day in port.

The price becomes less attractive if you are staying far outside Funchal. Pickup from Machico, Santa Cruz, Câmara de Lobos, Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, Ponta do Sol, or the cruise harbor adds €5 per person. Camacha, Santo da Serra, Jardim da Serra, Calheta, Caniçal, and São Vicente add €10. Pickup from Ponta Delgada, Faial, or Porto da Cruz adds €15, while Santana and several western or southwest towns add €20.

For a cruise passenger, the included harbor pickup matters. Confirm the meeting time after booking, since the operator says the exact pickup time will be confirmed once the tour is set.

The ride from Funchal to Machico

The day starts around 8:30 a.m., with the first listed stop at Machico. This is a short 10-minute pause, so think of it as a quick orientation stop rather than a full town visit.

Machico is one of the useful places to begin an eastern Madeira route because it gives you a coastal counterpoint before the road rises toward the mountains. You can stretch your legs, take a few pictures, and get a sense of the town before returning to the jeep.

The short timing is important. If you want cafés, a longer walk, or time by the water, this tour will not provide it at Machico. The schedule is built around seeing many places, not lingering in each one.

Portela and the road toward Porto da Cruz

Miradouro da Portela receives about five minutes. That is enough for a quick photograph if the weather is clear, but not enough for a long walk or a careful study of the view.

This is where the open-top vehicle earns its keep. You can look out more easily as the road climbs, and the changing mountain scenery becomes part of the experience instead of something glimpsed through a coach window. Bring a light layer, since mountain air can feel cooler than Funchal, and keep your camera ready.

The itinerary also passes Porto da Cruz, a coastal area known for its striking position between the sea and Madeira’s steep interior. The schedule does not give this stop a fixed admission time, so do not assume you will have a long independent visit. It functions mainly as part of the route through the east.

Faial Fortress viewpoint

The Fortress of Faial is listed as a five-minute viewpoint stop. The brief visit suits a photo break, though it will feel rushed if you want to explore a building or read historical displays.

I would treat this stop as a chance to see another angle of the eastern coast and mountains. The strength of the day is accumulation: one view may be good, but several short viewpoints help you understand how quickly Madeira changes from seaside to high mountain terrain.

You should expect some time in the vehicle between stops. This is not a walking tour, and the route is designed around roads, lookouts, and short visits.

Santana’s traditional houses

Santana receives two separate moments in the schedule. One is a 15-minute stop connected with the village and its traditional houses. The second is a 15-minute visit to Casas Tipicas de Santana, where admission is not included.

Santana’s traditional houses are among the most recognizable sights in eastern Madeira. Their steep, thatched roofs and colorful façades make a sharp contrast with the modern buildings elsewhere on the island. Even with only 15 minutes, you can take the classic photographs and get a taste of the village’s old building style.

The separate admission note matters. The tour does not cover the ticket for Casas Tipicas de Santana, so bring extra money if you want to enter. With only a short stop, I would ask the guide whether the timing allows enough time for admission, photos, and a look around. Otherwise, the exterior may be the more sensible use of your time.

Santana is also a good point to consider the tour’s pace. You will see a lot, but most stops are measured in five to 15 minutes. If you prefer one village explored slowly, choose a dedicated Santana visit instead.

Ribeiro Frio and the forest setting

Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio is listed as a small village and natural park, with free admission. This is one of the more appealing contrasts in the route because the day shifts from open mountain viewpoints to a cooler forest setting.

The name Ribeiro Frio is linked with Madeira’s interior waterways and forested mountain environment. Here, you can expect a more natural atmosphere than at the roadside lookouts, though the exact amount of walking is not specified. Wear shoes that are comfortable for uneven ground, but do not assume this is a long hike unless the guide confirms it.

I especially like having this stop between the village section and Pico do Arieiro. It breaks up the drive and gives the day a different rhythm. You get more than postcard views: you also see the island’s wooded interior.

Pico do Arieiro, the dramatic finish

Pico do Arieiro is scheduled for about 15 minutes and admission is free. This is the stop most likely to define your memory of the day.

At this height, Madeira’s mountains can appear to rise above the clouds. One account of the tour described reaching Arieiro over the clouds, which captures the appeal of the stop, though weather can change the view completely. On a clear day, bring your camera and take time to look in every direction. In cloud or mist, the experience will be more atmospheric than panoramic.

Fifteen minutes is enough for photographs and a quick look around, but not for a substantial mountain walk. If you want to hike from Pico do Arieiro, this excursion is not built for that. The stop is a viewpoint visit within a larger circuit.

The road to the summit also helps explain why transport matters. Madeira’s mountain routes include steep climbs and sharp bends. A 4×4 can reach places a standard car might not, but the ride may be bumpy.

The open-top jeep: fun, but check the seats

The open-top 4×4 is the tour’s signature feature. You get a better sense of the air, weather, and mountain roads than you would in an enclosed bus. On the rougher sections, the vehicle gives the day a playful safari character.

The practical concern is comfort. Vehicle layouts are not necessarily identical. Some jeeps have a front passenger seat, a middle row, and proper rear seats. Other vehicles used on similar departures have had hard benches facing each other at the back, with several people packed into a small space.

That is not a minor detail on an eight-hour mountain day. One account described four people sharing the rear benches, including older passengers, with little room to brace themselves. It also reported no seatbelts. You cannot assume that every jeep has the same arrangement, so contact Green Devil Safari before departure and ask:

• How many passengers will share your vehicle?
• Will you have a regular forward-facing seat?
• Are seatbelts fitted and available for every passenger?
• Are rear bench seats being used?
• Can older passengers or anyone with back or mobility concerns be placed in a safer, more comfortable position?

The operator describes the vehicle group as up to eight people, but the total activity limit is 24. That suggests several vehicles may travel together on some departures. A convoy can make the day social, though it may feel less private than the small-group description first suggests.

Guides who shape the day

The driver-guide matters greatly on a route like this. You spend long stretches on the road, and the quality of the explanations can turn a series of lookouts into a useful portrait of Madeira.

Guides connected with this operation include Lino, Bruno, Spencer Thorpe, and Diogo. Lino is associated with a playful style and unusual humor, while Spencer Thorpe has been praised for island knowledge, clear explanations, German-language ability, and confident driving. Diogo has also been singled out as a fun and informative guide.

You may not receive one of those specific guides, so treat the names as useful context rather than a guarantee. The strongest accounts of the experience place heavy emphasis on the guide’s humor, route knowledge, safe road driving, and ability to make the group laugh.

That is especially important when several stops are brief. A good guide can explain what you are seeing while you are moving, then use each five-minute pause efficiently. A poor explanation leaves you with photographs but little sense of place.

Lunch, dietary choices, and the full-day pace

Lunch is not included in the $82.21 price. The tour information says vegan and vegetarian options are available, so tell the operator about your needs ahead of time and budget separately for the meal.

Some accounts describe the midday meal as a strong part of the day, but the included and excluded details are clear: you pay for lunch yourself. Do not treat a favorable meal experience as proof that food is covered.

The day is long, and the schedule includes many road sections. Eat breakfast before pickup, carry water, and keep a small bag close rather than buried in luggage. Since this is an open-top vehicle, protect cameras and phones from sudden rain or strong wind.

The pace suits you if you would rather sample eastern Madeira in one outing than arrange several separate trips. It may frustrate you if you want long meals, extended village walks, or a relaxed stop at every viewpoint.

Who should book this 4×4 day

I would recommend this excursion to a first-time Madeira visitor who wants a broad introduction to the east. It also suits cruise passengers who need a structured day with harbor pickup and return, and anyone who enjoys mountain roads more than formal museum visits.

It is a good match for photographers, provided you can handle the ride and keep your equipment secure. The combination of Santana houses, forest, coastal views, and Pico do Arieiro gives you plenty of visual variety.

Families can participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult. I would be more careful with very young children, older adults, or anyone with back, neck, or balance problems. The seating warning is the key issue, not the scenery.

You should also consider the weather. Pico do Arieiro may be clear, cloudy, or wrapped in mist, and the open-top format makes conditions more noticeable. A light waterproof layer is a sensible choice even when Funchal looks warm.

Should you book East Madeira Peaks and Santana?

Book it if you want maximum scenery in one day, enjoy a shared jeep ride, and are comfortable with short stops and a busy route. The price is reasonable for eight hours with a driver-guide and cruise-terminal pickup, especially compared with arranging separate transport to Santana, Ribeiro Frio, and Pico do Arieiro.

Pause before booking if seat comfort is important to you. Ask for a guaranteed regular seat and seatbelt, not simply a promise of a place in a 4×4. Also confirm the pickup surcharge if you are outside Funchal or Caniço, and remember that lunch is extra.

The tour has earned a 4.1 rating from nine ratings, with particularly strong praise for guides such as Lino, Spencer, and Diogo, the scenery, the humor, and the safe handling of the vehicles. Its weak point is not the route. It is the possibility of an uncomfortable vehicle assignment. Get that detail settled, and this can be a lively, efficient introduction to eastern Madeira.

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.

FAQ

How long is the East Madeira Peaks and Santana tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and starts around 8:30 a.m.

Is pickup available at the cruise terminal?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal are included, with the exact pickup time confirmed after booking.

Is pickup from Funchal free?

Yes. Pickup is free in Funchal and Caniço. Locations outside those areas may carry an additional per-person fee.

How much does pickup cost outside Funchal and Caniço?

The stated fees range from €5 to €20 per person, depending on the pickup location. Santana and several western or southwest locations carry the €20 fee.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. Vegan and vegetarian options are available for lunch.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Machico, Miradouro da Portela, Porto da Cruz, the Fortress of Faial viewpoint, Santana, Casas Tipicas de Santana, Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio, and Pico do Arieiro.

How many people can join the tour?

The vehicle group is described as up to eight people, while the overall activity has a maximum of 24 participants.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, with a driver-guide included.