This disclosure relates to an air intake arrangement for a small boat including a hull, wherein the front end of a handle pole of the boat is supported pivotably on a horizontal shaft on the upper deck of the hull at a position which is on the longitudinal center line of the hull, and a handle lever to be held by an operator is attached to the rear end of the handle pole. An air intake port for taking fresh air into the engine compartment in the interior of the hull is provided on substantially the center line at a position corresponding to the lower side of the handle pole on the deck, and a lead-in opening for taking the air from the front of the boat and leading it into the air intake port is formed in the handle pole.