A portable evaporative cooling apparatus includes a primary passage for delivering a primary air stream to an induction nozzle. A secondary passage that is substantially unobstructed extends from an ambient air inlet to the induction nozzle. A secondary air stream is induced through the secondary passage by the primary air stream and the primary and secondary air streams are ejected from the induction nozzle into the ambient air. An atomizer in the secondary passage, proximate the ambient air inlet, emits a fine spray of water into the secondary air stream. The mixing of the water spray and induced air flow is performed inside the induction nozzle, which also provides a physical and thermal barrier, and makes a completely cooled air stream available immediately outside the user, so the apparatuses may be placed close to the user's face, for example.