Vibram Megagrip is your answer.

Look for water shoes with Vibram Megagrip or a similar sticky rubber compound. Brands like Astral, Keen, or Merrell use it. I’ve worn Astral Loyaks on slick tide pools and they grab like gecko feet.

The rubber matters more than the brand. Cheap boat shoes with hard soles will slip. You want a soft, grippy outsole designed for wet surfaces. Also, a snug fit helps – loose shoes let your foot slide inside, which makes you slip even if the sole is good.

Drainage and mesh are bonuses. Dry rocks plus wet shoes are fine, but waterlogged shoes full of sand just slow you down. Find something that sheds water and dries fast.

Wet rocks are always a gamble, but a good rubber sole tilts the odds in your favor.