A cowling for an outboard motor has port and starboard intake ports that direct flow of intake air into the cowling and extend downwardly along the aftward side of the cowling and face laterally outwardly. A duct system receives and conveys intake air intake ports to an intake conduit for the outboard motor. The duct system includes port and starboard intake troughs that extend alongside the intake ports and redirect the intake air from a generally lateral flow into the intake ports to a generally vertically downward flow and then to a generally forward flow towards the intake conduit. Port and starboard baffles that extend alongside the intake ports and direct flow of water into port and starboard channels located alongside the baffles, respectively. The channels drain the water by gravity depending on tilt and trim orientation of the outboard motor.