Flip-Flop Report: Which nationality loves nude sunbathing the most?

Expedia's inaugural report into the world's beach behaviors reveals what we do, and what we don't always wear, down on the sand

By Hiufu Wong 

If your next trip is to a beach with travelers from Germany, be prepared to see a little more flesh than usual.

According to the first "Flip-Flop Report" by travel website Expedia, Germans are the most likely to sunbathe nude. 

The report, conducted from February 14-March 21, 2012 among 8,599 adults from 21 countries, looks at global beachgoers' behaviors and preferences. 

Germans love the beach the most -- 49 percent of them prefer it to any other holiday, compared to 48 percent for Mexicans, who came second.

But it's with their beachwear, or lack of it, where Germans really outstrip the rest of us.

Fifteen percent of German respondents said they sunbathed naked, almost twice as much as the runners-up, Indians and Spaniards, tied on eight percent. Just 2 percent of Brits and Americans would sunbathe naked, and only 1 percent of Japanese admitted to sunning themselves in the buff.

Doing nothing is the best beach activity

27 percent don't mind the sandman giving them a rubdown.

Regarding beach activities, most of us (54 percent) apparently like to do nothing, followed by sunbathing and swimming (53 percent). This doesn't apply to Argentines: only eight percent said they would spend the holiday relaxing.

They're clearly an energetic bunch, as the Argentines also spend the most days on beach, an enviable 11 days, while Koreans spend about three days with their toes in the sand.

Asians are not as fond of tanning as the other nationalities. Less than 30 percent of Japanese, Singaporeans and Indians said they would sunbathe.

Australians, unsurprisingly, are the most frequent body surfers. Mexicans prefer jet skiing, dancing and sunbathing, while Indians love beach dining, massage and surfing.

Flip-flop findings

Biggest beach lovers

• Germans -- 49 percent
• Mexicans -- 48 percent
• Argentines -- 47 percent

FAVORITE BEACH ACTIVITIES

Massage

• Indians -- 27 percent
• Mexicans -- 27 percent
• Singaporeans -- 27 percent

Dancing

• Indians -- 39 percent
• Mexicans -- 34 percent
• Brazilians -- 30 percent

Beachcombing

• Germans -- 56 percent
• Brazilians -- 51 percent
• New Zealanders -- 45 percent

Not worried about sharks

• Italians -- 91 percent
• Spanish -- 82 percent
• Dutch -- 77 percent