Porto Moniz Lava Pools, Fanal Forest And Skywalk 4x4 Experience

We spent time researching a 4WD tour and we wanted to focus on north and west. We were so glad we picked this company. Pick Up: we had good communication prior to the day. We were collected from our hotel and our guide, Nelson was on time and prompt. Quality of Tour Information: Nelson clearly lived his island. As well as the big sites he shared so much about the culture, traditions and way of life in Madeira, always slowing to show different points of interest to illustrate his points. He always pointed out where the toilets were and where to get a coffee. Food was not included but there were plenty of stops for coffee and a long stop for lunch. Size of Tour: There were 8 in our jeep, all of different nationalities. He offered to speak French and English. He encouraged everyone to sort out moving around seats. We did t need to, everyone could see everything. Each point of interest provided enough time, some as short as 20 mins and others as long as 2 hours. Nelson always gave us clear instructions, pointed out where was best to go, meeting point etc. Porto Moniz was our favourite stop, we enjoyed the free pools and the restaurant suggestion. Off Road Fun: The off road parts of the day were excellent fun! You had the option to stand up and look through the open top. You needed a tight grip but the entire jeep was howling with laughter! It was just as enjoyable if you were seated. The day lasted 8 hours and we were dropped back to our hotel. We felt it was great value and we loved the small group. This was a great company.

Our guide, Heinrique/Eric was amazing! He is so funny and silly. His antics made the trip. He had such great rapport with everyone in the group and especially Dad. They got along like they'd been friends since grade school. Our tour guide was full of information, he shared not just the basics but all kinds of other information. We took the roads less travelled and had the inside view of how people on Funchal lived, worked, and played. Heinrique, Eric, made our trip! I am so happy that we made a new friend. Everyone enjoyed the diversity of the island but most of all we loved Eric and his antics! If you can request him I highly recommend him. He's the best!

Miguel was amazing! The tour was brilliant and we saw so much. You didn't feel rushed at all Miguel told us so many interesting facts and was also hilarious. He made everyone feel at ease. Would definitely recommend!

Highly recommended, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and lots of fun. We saw plenty of beautiful sights, you can't fail to take some great photos. Had a great lunch which our tour guide set up for us. Went off road on the way back. A really enjoyable trip, would definitely do it again if we ever return to Madeira.

Definitely worth the money! Even though we had a bit of bad weather, we still saw lots of beautiful parts of the island and had a great time. Because of the extensive elevation changes, be sure to pack for all sorts of weather! We also should have brought a power bank, but I eventually just put my phone in Airplane Mode, which helped. Thanks Vashko for being great guide!

The meeting point was a .75 mile walk and very easy to miss. There were other issues with trying to connect with my guide but it finally happened. The jeep was very tight I was in the back on a bench facing other passengers. It was so tight our knees were jammed into each other and no room for our bags at all. Windows were dirty and we could not hear anything the guide was telling us about the area. I absolutely loved Madeira but this experience was not for me. DO NOT attempt to do this if you have any back issues or hip issues or are at all claustrophobic. It is an extremely rough ride. Once they opened the top of the jeep and said the people in the back could stand up there was no room for our feet to all be on the floor and the woman in front of me was falling all over everyone . HOT MESS

This was an amazing trip and a lot of fun. It is a fantastic way to see the beauty of Funchal. Highly recommend this trip .

An excellent and fun packed day from start to finish. We saw and learnt so much, thanks to our host David who was brilliant. Can’t recommend this enough.

The safari was a great way to see many of the islands beauty spots in one day, a number could not be experienced by hire car. Staff were very pleasant, knowledgeable and ensured the the day was very enjoyable. We had an excellent lunch at a restaurant in the hills that we would never come across on our own. I haven't scored 5 stars because the safari was delayed departing by an hour waiting for four Cruise liner passengers who never turned up, the safari company should not mix cruise and land passengers as there is a high probability for delays.

We had a great day. Our driver, Tony, was the best! He was very knowledgeable & very entertaining!! We had plenty of time at each stop to enjoy the sights. We also stopped for a nice lunch and Poncha.

Just had the most amazing trip to the North of the island with our truly wonderful guide, NELSON. The trip was breathtaking,as was NELSON’S driving!!! Lots of laughter with the other lovely people in our group. Very informative and soooo much fun. A grand day out was had by us all. I would highly recommend this trip.

An amazing tour! We all had a blast. Such a great way to see Madeira. Tony is an amazing guide and driver. He knows so much and he is very funny, keeping us all entertained. The lunch stop was at a delightful restaurant. The food was amazing (get the steak on a stone) and the service was attentive and sweet. It is a great way to explore the island. Make sure to bring a jacket - even in sunny weather!

Took this tour on 6 Nov 25. The jeep picked us up from the hotel bang on time. Franc our guide was extremely charming and gave us lots of information about the island throughout the day. There was a good variety of stops, unfortunately the pools at Porto Moniz were closed due to the large waves but these were spectacular to watch. Great to find the Witch's Tree in Fanal Forest and the off road section through the forest on the way home was the highlight. I would highly recommend this trip.

Diogo Camacho is the best guide that you can have he made an unforgettable experience for us. Views were stunning, off road amazing. He is so friendly and helpful, he gives all the best advices. He takes care of his passengers and really wants you to enjoy and helps you to enjoy the most possible. He is an example of how the guides should be. He has a good jokes and he is fun. We booked the tour , did the tour and booked again with him. I hope to see him again. Cant wait to come back!!!

We booked this tour prior to arriving based on the reviews and we were not disappointed! Tony was our guide for the day, the pick up was on time, well planned out, very friendly and he gave us lots of local knowledge and quite a few laughs along the way which made the experience fantastic. We were in safe hands all day. All the stops were great, my favourite was the natural pools. lunch was great, at a stop called Jungle rain, lots of food choices, vegan and gluten free included, great and friendly service and food, set price €20 which included bread, wine, main course, dessert and coffee, great value. My advice would be to pack for all seasons, the weather changes across the island. A great day out, thank you Tony for making it extra memorable.

Take a drink but plenty opportunities for food and drink. Swimming things a must. Really full day full of activity.

Amazing !!! Lots of places covered. Fanal forest is mystical . Our guide is fantastic !! Drives safely on those winding roads .

Confirmed pick up point with tour provider waited for over an hour tried to msg to confirm we were still being picked up got no response phoned Viator customer service who were very helpful they tried to contact tour provider also with no response and I was issued a refund viator were helpful issue with the tour provider

I had a very disappointing experience with the GYG tour in Madeira operated by True Spirit. Our guide, Tony, was extremely unsafe and seemed to have i bort of drink problem very little knowledge about the places we visited. Throughout the trip, he kept giving us incorrect information, which I double-checked and found to be wrong. His driving was also reckless, making the whole experience feel dangerous rather than enjoyable. I expected a professional and well-informed guide, but unfortunately, this was not the case. I would not recommend this tour to anyone looking for a safe or educational experience in Madeira.

This tour was even better than described. The views were stunning from the look out to the water falls to the lava pools. We had a great guide too. The mountain off road was a blast and lunch (even though it wasn’t included) was a fun spot with great food. Every part of this tour was fun. No boring moments on this tour.

**Absolutely Incredible 4x4 Tour – A Must-Do in Madeira!** We had an unforgettable experience on the **Skywalk & Porto Moniz Volcanic Lava Pools** tour with **True Spirit**! Our guide, **Nelson**, was amazing—friendly, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about Madeira. As a local, he provided fascinating insights into the island’s history, nature, and culture, making every stop along the way even more special. The 4x4 ride was an adventure in itself, taking us through breathtaking landscapes, rugged off-road trails, and hidden gems we never would have found on our own. From the jaw-dropping Cabo Girão Skywalk to the stunning volcanic pools of Porto Moniz, every moment was incredible. We were staying outside the pickup zone, but **True Spirit** accommodated us for a **€50 pickup and drop-off**, which made everything seamless. The entire experience was well-organized, fun, and beyond expectations. If you’re visiting Madeira, **this tour is an absolute must!** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommended! Will do it again next time we are in Maderia !

Fabulous time, getting a flavour of what Madiera has to offer.... loved the ancient trees and swimming in the lava pools (which are not hot but make a good safe ocean swimming pool)

Wow what a fantastic day with Karim our guide and driver. He’s so knowledgeable and entertaining, great company as well as professional. We had a wonderful day saw a part of Madeira I hadn’t seen before, the north of the island is a real contrast to the south. Very highly recommend.

A great way to view the West of Madeira. Beautiful sites and photo opportunities. Our driver Robert was excellent and entertaining!

Our tour guy Diogo Camacho made our experience unforgettable; if someone is coming to Madeira; I recommended to ask for him at trip advisor. I went with my husband and two teenager daughters and we will never forget this experience . 1000% worthy

The perfect day out great veiws and sights and best of all the tour guide romero was amazing with us funny full of knowledge I would 100% recommend this tour I'd do it again if I got romero again

Fantastic fun with Rui S.! From the first moment of introduction to final farewells, Rui made it his mission to deliver the most amazing views, exciting adventures, photo opportunities and culinary experience on our port excursion. He enhanced every experience with his enthusiasm, pride of homeland and contagious sense of adventure. He provided exemplary guest service and personally ensured we optimized every moment of breath taking beauty and fun. He is simply the best! I especially appreciated the magical moment at the end of this unforgettable day. I highly recommend this tour for all ages and abilities - we 70 + year olds had a blast! Thanks Rui and Madeira!

Saw two sperm whales. Dolphins. And pilot whales! Excellent! The guys were knowledgeable and friendly.

We went on two half day and one full day trips. All three were great and show a lot more of the island as the jeeps can go on the old roads and off road. Off road is great fun. The views are amazing. The driver/guides are very good and explain a great deal about the places, the history and the plants. We had a different guide for each trip and all three ( Ruben, Diogo and Robert) were excellent, friendly and helpful.

We went in November after seeing all the great reviews and we weren’t disappointed! We had a brilliant day and Francisco was a great guide. The volcanic pools at Porto Moniz were closed due to the rough sea but that just meant we had spectacular waves crashing over rocks at our stops on the north coast and we got the chance to swim in the sea at Praia do Seixal. Loved the off road section and we had a good lunch too! Only negative was not being able to hear the commentary from the back left of the open top jeep when we were on the main roads but overall a great day!

What an amazing day and we highly recommend if you want to see the beautiful island of Madeira and find out about its history and culture. Our guide Guille was truly wonderful - thank you for your knowledge, driving skills and love for the island! Such a fun day out that we will never forget. Thanks again.

This trip was just truly AMAZING!! I’ll start with off by praising our guide Luis- totally awesome. No words can describe how passionate Luis was as he shared facts and a wealth of information about this fabulous island. He was a real gentleman and shared interesting information throughout the whole tour and took great care of his passengers from start to finish! A careful driver at all times which made us feel at ease. We were a family of 4 and had a lovely couple who joined us for the day in the Land Rover Discovery 4x4. We had so much fun with Luis! Quite a character! He made the trip super special for us! All stops were just breathtaking! The views from the skywalk, the waterfalls, Seixal beach views, mountain views, swimming in Porto Moniz and the superb drive through the clouds to the highest point. Loads of fabulous stops! The off road experience was so much fun! Plenty of giggles and a good adrenalin rush! We saw beautiful trees and plants as well as massive cows on the roads! We also had the best authentic experience in a quirky traditional restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Perfect choice of venue to experience true Madeiran cuisine. Delicious chicken skewers, bola de caco (garlic bread) and a cold rosé- perfect!! The drive back down towards Funchal was also so relaxing and we felt that we kept on seeing more and interesting places. Had a beautiful stop in Porto de Sol, a gorgeous colourful beach village where we were fortunate enough to see individuals jumping into the sea off a very high bridge. We will be returning back to Funchal next year and will definitely be going on another adventure with True Spirit. Really well organised trip. We were travelling with another group in a Defender. They also had a fantastic guide called Franciso- Luis and him worked really well together and complimented each other really well. Thanks for a wonderful day experience. We’ll be back for more next Summer😊

Volcanic pools were great. Water was cold but refreshing. Robert was an excellent guide! A great way to see Madeira.

Our guide Mauricio went above and beyond to make our trip as best as he possibly can I highly recommend this tour but I even higher recommend Mauricio!

Fantastic day. Guide Gil was great, very informative, so much to tell us about Madeira’s history and it’s trees fruit and veg. great driver up short cuts and off road. Amazing views! My knees are painful and he was so kind in helping me in and out of the jeep. Mary Roe

We had a fantastic day with Mauricio and two other couples. He took us to sites we wouldn’t have seen by bus. The off-road experience was amazing! Our lunch and pincha drinks were delicious (extra cost). We got to see various microclimates around the island. We weren’t rushed at all and covered lots of territory. If you have one trip when visiting, this is it!

Amazing trip. Super guide Your knowledge was impressive! Thanks you Paolo Paixao. BEST 4x4 ever. Bbb

What an amazing day out. Our driver and guide Franco was the best. Maximum group size is eight, your driver picks you up from your accommodation this includes air bnbs as well as hotels. We were given an accurate pick up time. The scenery was incredible. WE had plenty of time at each location to take photographs. Franco is so knowledgable about the island. We went off the beaten track, up mountains, through forests swam in sea bathing pools, stopped for lunch. The whole day was the perfect way to see the island. Top tip if you are vegan or vegetarian take your lunch the cafe where we stopped for lunch really didn't cater for either.

I really enjoyed this activity. I was initially concerned that progress was rushed but having entered the porto moniz pool complex easily and seeing the lengthy queues on leaving it became clear why. Then it was up and away, into the forest and climbing amazing gradients on dirt tracks. Mountain views were superb then arriving at the glass platform when the big crowds had gone. Why only 4 stars? Because eight plus a driver crammed in a Land Rover Defender seems a little greedy.

This was absolutely incredible, we saw so much, our tour guide Reuben was brilliant. Great day out highly recommend

Our guide Francisco was excellent!! He made the trip fun and he was very knowledgeable and a great driver

Our tour guide Diogo P was amazing. He was very knowledgable about Madeira and pointed out lots of features as we drove to the different viewpoints. He made the whole experience very enjoyable and gave us lots of opportunities to take some stunning photographs of the beautiful landscape. A fabulous, skilful driver too! Obrigada Diogo!

Totally brilliant day. The pools are amazing, the forest and skywalk too. Chris knows his facts well and we went through the wonderful landscape seeing more than expected.

Our guide Rui was great, full of information and fun for making the most of our day trip. The sights and locations we visited were all perfect! The view from the skywalk is incredible, the rock pools are awesome if a little chilly! We have thoroughly recommended this trip to others we have met in Madeira and will continue to do so to our friends and family once back in the uk.

This was an action packed day, With a great guide, fantastic views all over the island. Dont miss it

I enjoyed the tide pools and the view from Sao Girao and the off-roading. Our guide was funny and pleasant.

Our guide Jil was amazing. He shows us a lot of things on island and explain a lot. Like it very much. He is the best.

Lovely guide and a good trip to see the west coat. I would recommend this tour. You see a lott and have enough time to get out the car and make some pictures

Very much enjoyed the trip. Madeira is stunning and this is a good way to see the island, especially if you have a good driver. Our driver was great