Madeira West Coast Day Trip: Porto Moniz Pools, Fanal UNESCO Forest, and Enchanted Terraces
by Green Devil Safari
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€138Overview
This full-day, eight-hour tour explores Madeira's west coast in an open-top 4x4 vehicle, with a small group of up to eight people and free pickup from central Funchal. The journey begins with an off-road drive through São Vicente and Ginjas, continuing to Estanquinhos and the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest. A walk along the Levada do Norte introduces visitors to the area's diverse plant and animal life. The tour then visits the Fanal Forest, part of the Laurisilva, known for its moss-covered trees and endemic plants, including a stop at Lagoa do Fanal, a volcanic crater lake within the forest. Next is the Paul da Serra plateau, a high-altitude area with changing weather and wide views, where a short walk along the Levada do Paul da Serra takes place. The route continues to the Ribeira da Janela river valley and the Miradouro Ribeira da Janela viewpoint, noted for its rock formations and coastal views. The tour also includes a visit to the Enchanted Terraces near Serra de Agua, where terraced fields descend the hillsides amid forested areas. Time is allowed for swimming in the natural volcanic pools at Porto Moniz and Seixal when weather conditions permit, with about one hour at the Porto Moniz pools. Additional stops include the natural swimming spot Poço das Lesmas and the Eira da Achada lookout, offering panoramic views of the coastline and mountains. Lunch is not included, and guests should bring swimwear if they wish to swim. Pickup from cruise docks or locations outside Funchal involves an extra fee. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Madeira
Explore Madeira in an open-top jeep, stopping to swim in Porto Moniz’s volcanic pools and visiting the Laurisilva forest in Fanal. The route includes off-road sections through São Vicente and Estanquinhos, plus a hike along Levada do Norte to view the island’s biodiversity and landscapes.
10 min
Vereda do Fanal
Fanal is part of the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest, home to many endemic plants and animal species.
20 min
Miradouro Ribeira da Janela
A popular spot for hikers and photographers featuring dramatic sunsets and unique geological formations.
5 min
Porto Moniz
Known for its seafood-focused restaurants, Porto Moniz offers a chance to enjoy local cuisine amid Madeira’s distinctive natural scenery.
45 min
Poca Das Lesmas
A calm natural pool surrounded by lush vegetation and cliffs, ideal for swimming away from larger crowds.
30 min
Serra de Agua
A region with dramatic mountains, deep valleys, terraced fields, and dense forests, showing Madeira’s varied landscapes.
10 min
Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
Lava-formed pools designed for safe swimming, although caution is advised during high tides or rough seas.
60 min
Eira da Achada Lookout
A quiet viewpoint offering panoramic views of the coastline, cliffs, and mountains.
10 min
Levada do Paul da Serra
Located at approximately 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) altitude, this plateau features varied weather including mist and rain, which supports lush vegetation and a unique ecosystem. It is a preferred location for photographers capturing changing light and weather conditions.
20 min
Ribeira da Janela
A river valley with lush plants and distinctive rock formations resembling windows, giving the river its name.
10 min
Lagoa do Fanal
A volcanic crater within the Fanal Forest, noted for its subtropical vegetation and unique ecosystem.
10 min
Fanal Forest Trails
Numerous walking paths offer different views of the forest’s vegetation and landscape.
10 min
Caminho Real da Encumeada PR12
Encumeada area visit.
Fanal Forest
A UNESCO forest site with endemic plants and a moss-covered landscape often shrouded in mist.
10 min
Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela
Rock formations rising from the ocean along a scenic coastline, popular for nature photography.
10 min
Sao Vicente
An off-road open-top jeep route including Ginjas, Laurisilva forest, Estanquinhos, and Levada do Norte with frequent stops for photos.
50 min
Paul da Serra Plateau
A high plateau in western Madeira known for its landscapes and variable weather.
20 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Madeira West Coast Day Trip: Porto Moniz Pools, Fanal UNESCO Forest, and Enchanted Terraces
by Green Devil Safari
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€138Overview
This full-day, eight-hour tour explores Madeira's west coast in an open-top 4x4 vehicle, with a small group of up to eight people and free pickup from central Funchal. The journey begins with an off-road drive through São Vicente and Ginjas, continuing to Estanquinhos and the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest. A walk along the Levada do Norte introduces visitors to the area's diverse plant and animal life. The tour then visits the Fanal Forest, part of the Laurisilva, known for its moss-covered trees and endemic plants, including a stop at Lagoa do Fanal, a volcanic crater lake within the forest. Next is the Paul da Serra plateau, a high-altitude area with changing weather and wide views, where a short walk along the Levada do Paul da Serra takes place. The route continues to the Ribeira da Janela river valley and the Miradouro Ribeira da Janela viewpoint, noted for its rock formations and coastal views. The tour also includes a visit to the Enchanted Terraces near Serra de Agua, where terraced fields descend the hillsides amid forested areas. Time is allowed for swimming in the natural volcanic pools at Porto Moniz and Seixal when weather conditions permit, with about one hour at the Porto Moniz pools. Additional stops include the natural swimming spot Poço das Lesmas and the Eira da Achada lookout, offering panoramic views of the coastline and mountains. Lunch is not included, and guests should bring swimwear if they wish to swim. Pickup from cruise docks or locations outside Funchal involves an extra fee. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Madeira
Explore Madeira in an open-top jeep, stopping to swim in Porto Moniz’s volcanic pools and visiting the Laurisilva forest in Fanal. The route includes off-road sections through São Vicente and Estanquinhos, plus a hike along Levada do Norte to view the island’s biodiversity and landscapes.
10 min
Vereda do Fanal
Fanal is part of the UNESCO-listed Laurisilva forest, home to many endemic plants and animal species.
20 min
Miradouro Ribeira da Janela
A popular spot for hikers and photographers featuring dramatic sunsets and unique geological formations.
5 min
Porto Moniz
Known for its seafood-focused restaurants, Porto Moniz offers a chance to enjoy local cuisine amid Madeira’s distinctive natural scenery.
45 min
Poca Das Lesmas
A calm natural pool surrounded by lush vegetation and cliffs, ideal for swimming away from larger crowds.
30 min
Serra de Agua
A region with dramatic mountains, deep valleys, terraced fields, and dense forests, showing Madeira’s varied landscapes.
10 min
Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
Lava-formed pools designed for safe swimming, although caution is advised during high tides or rough seas.
60 min
Eira da Achada Lookout
A quiet viewpoint offering panoramic views of the coastline, cliffs, and mountains.
10 min
Levada do Paul da Serra
Located at approximately 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) altitude, this plateau features varied weather including mist and rain, which supports lush vegetation and a unique ecosystem. It is a preferred location for photographers capturing changing light and weather conditions.
20 min
Ribeira da Janela
A river valley with lush plants and distinctive rock formations resembling windows, giving the river its name.
10 min
Lagoa do Fanal
A volcanic crater within the Fanal Forest, noted for its subtropical vegetation and unique ecosystem.
10 min
Fanal Forest Trails
Numerous walking paths offer different views of the forest’s vegetation and landscape.
10 min
Caminho Real da Encumeada PR12
Encumeada area visit.
Fanal Forest
A UNESCO forest site with endemic plants and a moss-covered landscape often shrouded in mist.
10 min
Ilheus da Ribeira da Janela
Rock formations rising from the ocean along a scenic coastline, popular for nature photography.
10 min
Sao Vicente
An off-road open-top jeep route including Ginjas, Laurisilva forest, Estanquinhos, and Levada do Norte with frequent stops for photos.
50 min
Paul da Serra Plateau
A high plateau in western Madeira known for its landscapes and variable weather.
20 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.