Porto Moniz (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpoɾtu muˈniʃ] ⓘ) is a municipality in the northwest corner of the island of Madeira.

[2] The municipality features a natural complex of lava pools that are popular with locals and tourists.

[3] It is unclear when the area of Porto Moniz was first colonized, although it is likely that it occurred at the beginning of the last quarter of the 15th century.

Francisco Moniz O Velho, is referred to as one of these first settlers, who had uncultivated lands in this area and was responsible for establishing a farm and chapel.

He was one of the sons of João Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of Porto Santo (1418) with Tristão Vaz Teixeira and later the island of Madeira with Bartolomeu Perestrelo (1419).