A jeep ride plus cliff views plus wine. That combo is hard to beat on Madeira. This 3.5-hour outing pairs an open-top 4×4 with famous Cabo Girão viewpoints, then closes with a vineyard stop in the Serra de Água area.

I especially love the mix of motion and scenery: you’re not stuck on a bus, and you get proper time at each stop. I also like that the wine and tapas experience at Quinta do Barbusano is optional and clearly priced, so you can match it to your budget. One drawback to plan for: weather can change the feel of the day, and one past traveler flagged vehicle condition/seatbelt concerns, so it’s worth keeping an eye on how your jeep is set up.

Quick hits on this Madeira 4×4 and wine outing

• Open-top 4×4, small jeeps limited to 8 people, which helps the driving feel and the group vibe
• Cabo Girão Skywalk time with a glass-floored viewpoint area (Cabo Girão admission is extra)
• Multiple quick stops at Cabo Girão surroundings, Serra de Água, and São Vicente for fast view-points
• Quinta do Barbusano is the highlight if you add the guided tour and full tastings with tapas
• Pickup is real convenience if you’re in Funchal or Caniço de Baixo (near the Cristiano Ronaldo statue if meeting in town)

The day’s big idea: cliffs, dirt roads, and wine in one loop

This tour is built for short attention spans and big curiosity. You get driven around Madeira’s dramatic south coast by jeep, then you shift gears to a vineyard tasting that feels more relaxed than most “check the box” shore excursions.

The timing makes sense. You’ll spend about 20 minutes at several viewpoints, then you get a longer 1-hour slot at the vineyard area for tasting. At roughly 3 hours 30 minutes total, it’s a nice way to see the island without losing your whole day to driving.

Getting from Funchal: pickup that saves you from guessing

If you’re staying in Funchal (or Caniço de Baixo), pickup is a real plus. The meeting point in Funchal is in the center near the Cristiano Ronaldo statue, which helps you orient quickly if you’re using taxis and want to minimize confusion.

Two details matter:

• Pickup isn’t listed for every part of the island, so check your area before you assume you’ll be collected.
• If you’re coming from the cruise dock, there’s an extra fee of €5 per person for pickup.

Inside the open-top 4×4: fun factor, plus one thing to watch

The headline is the open-top jeep excursion. That usually means you’ll feel closer to the road and the wind, and it fits Madeira well because the scenery changes fast as you climb and curve.

You’ll be in a small group. The jeeps are limited to 8 persons per jeep, and the tour overall has a maximum of 24 travelers. That smaller group setup tends to make the stops feel easier—you’re not fighting crowds for a photo at a cliff.

Now the practical caution. One past outing flagged a vehicle with no working seatbelts and a very worn interior. I can’t predict what you’ll get, but it’s reasonable to ask at the start: do seats have working belts, and where do you sit for the best stability on rough sections? If you’re sensitive to safety details, this is the one thing I’d verify before you commit.

Cabo Girão: the cliff views start early

This part of the day is all about perspective. Cabo Girão is where you see the coast drop away fast, and it’s a perfect match for jeep touring because the road points you toward the cliffs before you even reach the viewing area.

Stop 1: Cabo Girão area (plus Camara de Lobos time)

You’ll spend around 20 minutes in the Cabo Girão area. Admission for Cabo Girão itself is not included and costs €5 per person.

One useful note: this stop is paired with a chance to look around Camara de Lobos, the harbor village known for its colorful streets and seafood vibe. If you’re walking at a calmer pace, this is a nice time to step away from the jeep and get a feel for local life—just keep an eye on the time, since the schedule moves.

Stop 2: Quinta Grande viewpoint and the glass platform (around 20 minutes)

Next you’ll go to Quinta Grande, with about 20 minutes here. The glass-floored viewing platform area is listed as free, which matters because it’s the kind of feature people associate with Cabo Girão.

If you’re excited for the Skywalk-style moment, aim to take your photos quickly and then enjoy the wider view. The cliffs are the main event, and you’ll get better pictures when you don’t rush the first one.

Stop 3: Campanário viewpoint area (around 20 minutes)

After the big cliff moment, you get Campanário for about 20 minutes. This is more of a “stretch your legs, take photos, enjoy the air” stop. The guidance here is mainly about options for light hiking nearby and looking at the coastal views from another angle.

I like this stop because it breaks up the day. After a photo-heavy viewpoint, you get a calmer segment where you can just wander a bit.

Serra de Água and São Vicente: the scenic middle stretch

These stops are where the tour slows down just enough to feel like you’re actually driving around Madeira, not just hopping between attractions.

Stop 4: Serra de Água (about 30 minutes)

You’ll get around 30 minutes in Serra de Água. This area is described as lush and mountainous with traditional charm, plus you’ll hear history through the guide’s explanations.

Since the time window is short, don’t try to “do everything.” Instead, use Serra de Água as a photo-and-orientation stop. Look for the way the roads cut through the hills, and notice the change from cliff coast to interior feel.

Stop 5: São Vicente (about 30 minutes)

You’ll then spend about 30 minutes in São Vicente. It’s another chance to reset visually—less about the glass-floor gimmick and more about seeing how different parts of Madeira look when you’re not staring down the Atlantic from a single cliff.

I’d keep your expectations realistic here. This isn’t a long lunch in town. It’s a short window to understand the region and snap a couple of photos before the day’s focus shifts to wine.

Quinta do Barbusano: wine and tapas that can be worth the add-on

This is the anchor of the second half. You’ll get about 1 hour at Quinta do Barbusano in the vineyard region.

What’s included versus extra

For the vineyard tasting experience, the guided tour and 6 wine tasting with tapas, cheese & chorizo is listed as €24 per person and is not included in the main tour price.

So you have a choice:

• If you want the full wine-and-food experience, budget the extra €24.
• If you just want the scenery and don’t care about the formal tasting, you might choose to skip the paid portion—though the tour is designed so most people do the tasting.

Why I think this stop works

Wine tastings in Madeira can feel touristy if they’re rushed. Here, the schedule gives you enough time for real pacing. You should also expect guidance through the island’s winemaking style, especially how vineyards and indigenous grape cultivation shape the flavors.

Also, weather can matter. One past outing described heavy rain in the mountains, which changed the plan so there wasn’t the vineyard walking portion—tasting still happened inside. If rain shows up, it’s not automatically a wasted stop. Just bring a light rain layer so you’re not miserable while waiting.

The guides: names you might hear

Across past trips, several guides stood out for friendliness and strong driving. Names that come up include George, Dino, Delano, and Nelson. If you get one of these guides (or someone with the same style), you can expect a lot of energy and clear explanations, especially during the off-road parts and the tasting.

Price and value: what $66.08 buys you, and what to add

At $66.08 per person, you’re mainly paying for:

• the open-top 4×4 transport
• the route and viewpoint stops (time at Cabo Girão area, Serra de Água, and São Vicente)
• guide storytelling while you’re moving through the day

Then there are two common extras:

• Cabo Girão admission: €5 per person
• Quinta do Barbusano guided tour + 6 wine tastings + tapas/cheese/chorizo: €24 per person
• plus potentially €5 per person if you’re using cruise dock pickup

If you add the full Cabo Girão entry and the full wine tasting package, you’re looking at roughly €29 extra on top of the base price (not counting currency conversion). For Madeira, that can still be solid value because you’re getting both the off-road experience and a structured tasting session with food.

My practical take: if you’re the kind of person who enjoys wine and doesn’t want to plan tastings on your own, the €24 add-on often makes this day feel complete. If wine isn’t your thing, you may feel the cost balance is less exciting.

Pacing and comfort: how to enjoy the short stops

With multiple stops packed in, the key is to move with the group but not panic. You get:

• about 20 minutes at each Cabo Girão-area viewpoint segment
• about 30 minutes at Serra de Água and São Vicente
• about 1 hour at the vineyard tasting stop

That means you don’t have time for long meals or deep hikes. Bring a small water bottle and quick-dry layers, especially in shoulder months. If you hate rushing photos, treat the first cliff view as your “real” photo time, then use later viewpoints for quick shots and a calmer scan of the coast.

Who this tour is best for (and who might not love it)

This tour fits you if:

• you want off-road scenery without needing to rent a car
• you like short viewpoint stops paired with one longer activity
• you’re open to a structured wine tasting with food

I’d think twice if:

• safety is a top concern for you and you’re uncomfortable with older vehicle reports—ask about seatbelts and how the jeeps are maintained
• you only want one place to spend time, not a day built on multiple quick stops
• you’re very sensitive to rain and hate being exposed during an open-top drive

Final call: should you book Green Devil Safari for Madeira?

I’d recommend booking if you want a fun, efficient day that blends Cabo Girão cliff drama with a real Madeira tasting stop. The open-top jeep adds energy, and the small-group setup makes the stops feel less hectic than big-bus tours.

If you book, plan for add-ons. Decide ahead of time whether you’ll do the €24 Quinta do Barbusano tasting package, and keep €5 for Cabo Girão in mind. And pack for weather—because if it pours, the tasting still works, but the outdoors portion can shrink.

If that sounds like your kind of Madeira day, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Is pickup offered on this tour?

Yes. Pickup is offered in the Funchal area and Caniço de Baixo. If you’re coming from the cruise dock, there’s an extra €5 per person.

Where do I meet if I’m in central Funchal?

Pickup in Funchal is described as being near the Cristiano Ronaldo statue.

Do I need to pay extra for Cabo Girão?

Yes. Admission to Cabo Girão is €5 per person and is not included.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 3 hours 30 minutes.

What does the wine tasting at Quinta do Barbusano include, and how much is it?

The guided tour and tasting package is €24 per person. It includes 6 wines plus tapas, cheese, and chorizo.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

You Might Also Enjoy

Sherry and Tapas Wine Route in Vejer de la FronteraSangria Cultural Workshop with TapasPrivate Tuktuk Tour with Portuguese Tapas and WineMadrid by Night Small Group Tour: Stories, Sights and Tapas Bites