Get something with a stiff sole and good drainage.

Tevas or similar water sandals with a rubber outsole and quick-dry straps. Your feet will thank you on sharp rocks and coral. The mistake is buying those flimsy neoprene socks—they feel fine in the pool but offer zero protection against a barnacle.

For rocky beaches, you want traction and stiffness so you don’t feel every pebble. For coral reefs, same thing plus drainage so sand and grit wash out instead of grinding into your feet. My go-to is a proper amphibious sandal like the Teva Hurricane or a budget equivalent from Columbia. They dry fast, drain well, and let you walk on rocky shorelines without cursing.

If you need toe protection (like for wading through shallow, rocky tide pools), get a water shoe with a reinforced toe and a grippy sole—not a fabric slipper. But for general beach and reef walking, just avoid anything that looks like a ballet flat made of neoprene.

You shouldn’t be worrying about your feet when you’re trying to enjoy the water. So don’t cheap out on something that makes you miserable.