On Madeira's north-west tip, the Atlantic fills pools formed in black volcanic rock. Porto Moniz is one of the island's most photographed places and the highlight of most west-coast tours.
The main pool complex has changing rooms, lifeguards in season and a small entrance fee; nearby there are also free natural pools. The water is the temperature of the ocean, from around 18 °C in late winter to the low 20s °C at the end of summer. In the old fort, the Madeira Aquarium shows the island's marine life.
Porto Moniz is about an hour and a quarter by car from Funchal. Combine it with the black-sand beach and pools of Seixal, the Fanal laurel forest on the Paul da Serra plateau and the Cabo Girão skywalk on the way. Without a car, a west-coast island tour or a 4x4 tour covers all of them in a day.
The pools are open year-round, but rough seas can close them. Swimming is most pleasant from June to October.
Two to three hours for a swim and a walk. Most visitors combine it with Seixal and Fanal in a full day.
A day-long 4x4 route through western Madeira, suited to visitors who want several stops in one trip. The tour takes about eight hours.
from €66 per person
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Day trip in a small group from the south coast over the central plateau to the north, with stops at Ribeira Brava viewpoint, Fanal Forest and the natural pools of Porto Moniz.
from €35.22 per person
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An eight-hour 4x4 day trip from Funchal for visitors who want to see the island's northwest coast and the Fanal area without planning their own route.
from €64 per person
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Suits nature lovers who want waterfalls, forest scenery and a swim in natural pools on a sightseeing tour of western Madeira. Bring swimwear if you plan to bathe.
from €39 per person
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Full-day overview of the northwest: Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Porto Moniz's volcanic pools, Paúl da Serra and Seixal. Fanal Forest is a short stop of about 30 minutes.
from €40 per person
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Full-day drive along the west coast for viewpoint and scenic-road fans, including Cabo Girão with its glass skywalk. Pickup details are sent the day before.
from €40 per person
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Guided day trip through Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, Paul da Serra and Fanal to Porto Moniz and Seixal. Suits visitors who want a varied overview of the west, with a lunch stop on the way.
from €42 per person
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Day trip with about an hour in Fanal's laurel forest, around 2.5 hours of free time at Porto Moniz for a swim or lunch, and an hour at Seixal's black sand beach. Suits families and couples.
from €45 per person
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Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 16, 2026.
Seixal Black-sand beach, natural rock pools and terraced vineyards on the north coast. Fanal forest Ancient laurel trees in the fog on the Paul da Serra plateau. Cabo Girão A glass skywalk on one of Europe's highest sea cliffs. 
Curral das Freiras (Nuns' Valley) A village deep in a ring of mountains, with a dramatic viewpoint. 
Ponta do Pargo The lighthouse at Madeira's westernmost point, famous for sunsets. 
Ponta do Sol One of the sunniest villages, with a pebble beach and the Anjos waterfall. 