White sands and Manila Bay don’t usually appear in one sentence, but now there’s really a patch of white sand along Manila Bay!  Aptly named Sands at SM by the Bay, it lets you enjoy the fine white sands without going outside Metro Manila.

Sands at SM by the Bay is the latest attraction along the beachfront property of SM Mall of Asia.  It is basically a sandbox in the middle of this paved zone where you can play beach games like beach volleyball.

— (Press Release) —

Sands at SM by the Bay, Manila’s Newest Outdoor Sports and Event Destination, Now Open

October 29, 2014—SM by the Bay, envisioned to be Manila’s premiere destination for leisure and lifestyle activities, proudly announces the opening of its latest addition to its roster of popular outdoor-themed entertainment and leisure facilities.

Sands at SM by the Bay is the only beach-themed, multi-purpose, outdoor sand court in the city.  With an impressive and spacious court area measuring 28×18 meters, Sands is an ideal facility for outdoor sports such as beach volleyball, beach tennis, and sepak takraw.  Sands is also the perfect venue for product launches and beach-themed parties without the hassle of travelling outside the city.

Owing the emerging popularity of volleyball and beach volleyball in the country, SM by the Bay invited leading sports celebrities to grace the opening of Sands.  At the launch were former DLSU Lady Spikers and now professional volleyball league player Melissa Gohing, Michelle Datuin, Petron Beach Volleyball Champion, Aileen Abuel, and former Shakey’s V-League MVP and now Super Liga pro player Rachel Ann Daquis.  Joining this roster of local personalities were trade partners and heads of sports and lifestyle brands, as well as friends from the media.  To complete the beach vibe, the event was capped off by vibrant performances by fire dancers and percussionists set against the Manila Bay sunset.  The event was made possible with the support of Roxy, Quicksilver, Mikasa, The Lab Gastropub, Oceana and The Roadhouse Manila Bay.

Open for private bookings, corporate and sport-related functions, Sands is conveniently located at the north area of SM by the Bay grounds.  While it has always been a must-visit outdoor entertainment and amusement destination for the entire family, with the addition of Sands, SM by the Bay now promises a more enjoyable experience for people with active lifestyles.

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I was one of the lucky few that got to witness the inauguration of this new playground and I could say I was pretty impressed that someone actually thought of putting that much white sand near Manila Bay.  And the sand is not just white, it is really, really fine pretty much similar to that of white beach in Boracay.  I had to feel it with my hands to be sure!

A beach volleyball was held at the Sands by professional volleyball league players Melissa Gohing, Michelle Datuin, Aileen Abuel, and Rachel Ann Daquis to formally inaugurate Sands at SM by the Bay.

Guests were also entertained with percussionists, belly dancers, and fire dancers as the sun slowly set on the horizons of Manila Bay and into the early evening.  With fine white sands and the bay at the background together with some nice percussion music, it’s easy to imagine you’re in some island somewhere in the Philippines.

So if you want to get that summer feeling anytime without going outside Metro Manila, head on over to the Sands at SM by the Bay.  It’s probably the closest thing to Boracay in the Metro.

For inquiries and reservations please contact SM by the Bay at thesmbythebay@gmail.com.