retdfeuerwehr
Liquitex acrylic gloss
That's been my go-to for many years.
But, experimentation is what our hobby is all about.
I've got some Water Effects, but I've not tried them out yet. I also have Gloss Modge-Podge (thank you Jo-Ann) that wants trying.
Water is tricky. Ocean water can be clear as glass or nearly opaque. It can be murky, too, while being transparent other than the murk.
Rivers are another example of this--they can look as opaque as chocolate milk, yet ripple crystal-clear.
Which is a long way of saying that I feel that there's not just one way, one best. And, even comfortable in a given way, we tend to keep exploring the new.
But, that's just my 2¢, spend it wisely.